Turfgrass management duration and intensities influence soil microbial dynamics and carbon sequestration. | [International Journal of Agriculture and Biology • 2014]

Author(s):

1. Yi Wang: State Key Laboratory of Loess and Quaternary Geology, Institute of Earth Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China; Department of Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA; State Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on the Loess Plateau, Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Ministry of Water Resources, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China

2. Cong Tu: Department of Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA

3. Chunyue Li: Northwest Land and Resources Research Center, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China

4. Lane Tredway: Department of Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA

5. David Lee: Hope Valley Country Club, USA

6. Mark Snell: Treyburn Country Club, USA

7. Xingchang Zhang: State Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on the Loess Plateau, Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Ministry of Water Resources, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China

8. Shuijin Hu: Department of Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA

Abstract:

Turfgrass systems represent one major group of intensively managed ecosystems and a potential carbon (C) sink. Turfgrass management practices critically influence C inputs to soil, soil microbial dynamics, and in turn soil C and nitrogen (N) balance. However, how management practices influence soil organic C and microbial dynamics in turfgrass systems is not well understood. We investigated the effect of management duration and intensities on soil microbial biomass, microbial activities and soil organic C contents in two golf courses dominated by Bermuda grass near Raleigh, NC, USA. In Hope Valley, two fairways were studied under the same management scheme but for a huge difference in duration (10 vs. 80 years). Whereas, in Treyburn, rough, fairway, and tee areas that were constructed in the same year but received different N and water inputs, and with different cutting frequencies were examined. Results showed conversion of a pine forest to turfgrass course reduced soil microbial biomass, microbial activities and soil organic C. Long term turfgrass planting accumulated soil organic C and N at rates of 71.9 and 10.6 g m-2 y-1 over 80 years. Moderate management intensity resulted in highest soil organic C and microbial biomass C. High N and water inputs stimulated decomposition and reduced the C accumulation in highly managed areas such as the tee area. These results suggest that management practices may critically affect organic C sequestration in turfgrass management systems.

Page(s): 139-145

DOI: DOI not available

Published: Journal: International Journal of Agriculture and Biology, Volume: 16, Issue: 1, Year: 2014

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