Grazing Horse Effects on Desert Grassland Soil Gross Nitrification and Denitrification Rates in Northern China

Xiaonan Wang, Chengjie Wang, Chengyang Zhou, Shining Zuo, Yixin Ji, Qiezhuo Lamao and Ding Huang
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Xiaonan Wang: College of Grassland Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
Chengjie Wang: College of Grassland, Resources and Environment, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010011, China
Chengyang Zhou: College of Grassland Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
Shining Zuo: College of Grassland Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
Yixin Ji: College of Grassland Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
Qiezhuo Lamao: College of Grassland Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
Ding Huang: College of Grassland Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China

Agriculture, 2022, vol. 12, issue 7, 1-12

Abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of grazing on soil gross nitrification (GN) and denitrification (DN) rates and soil environmental factors on GN and DN in the desert grassland of northern China. Soil samples were collected from July to November in 2017 and March to June in 2018, with 5-5 soil samples taken from three enclosures (CK) vs. three heavy-grazing (G) randomized treatment blocks. We determined: (1) the soil moisture (SM), pH, bulk density (BD), total nitrogen (TN), soil organic carbon (SOC), and inorganic nitrogen (IN, NH 4 + -N, and NO 3 − -N) content, and (2) GN and DN. The relationship between the changes in GN, DN, and the soil environment was analyzed using stepwise multiple-regression analysis. Gross nitrification, DN, pH, BD, C/N, SM, IN, and NO 3 − -N varied significantly by month. Grazing induced significant increases in SM and NO 3 − only. GN in the CK treatment was related to NH 4 + -N and NO 3 − -N, while GN in the G treatment was related to NH 4 + -N and SM. DN in the CK treatment was related to NH 4 + -N, while DN in the G treatment was related to C/N. Additionally, GN and DN had obvious seasonal variations and reached a maximum in July. This highlights the different underlying mechanisms that affect soil GN and DN and the dynamics, particularly in the desert grassland system.

Keywords: gross nitrification; denitrification; grazing; desert grassland; seasonal variations (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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