Summary
This pot experiment examined how fungal communities mediate nitrogen retention in arable soils amended with carbon-rich woody materials. Deciduous wood sawdust (beech, willow) rapidly stimulated saprotrophic fungi and substantially immobilised excess mineral nitrogen, whilst coniferous materials showed lower immobilisation alone but prolonged retention when combined with deciduous sawdust. The findings suggest that fungus-stimulating woody amendments offer a promising mechanism to reduce nitrogen losses and mitigate water contamination in intensively managed arable systems.
UK applicability
These findings are directly applicable to UK arable farming, where nitrogen loss to groundwater and surface waters remains a significant environmental and regulatory concern. The use of locally available or waste woody materials (sawdust, wood chips) as soil amendments could support nutrient stewardship and reduce reliance on synthetic or organic nitrogen fertilisers across UK cereal production.
Key measures
Mineral nitrogen pools (kg N t⁻¹); ergosterol concentration (fungal biomass); ITS2 amplicon sequences (fungal community composition); duration of nitrogen immobilisation and remobilisation over 6 months
Outcomes reported
The study measured mineral nitrogen pools, fungal biomass (ergosterol), and fungal community composition (ITS2 amplicon sequences) over a 6-month pot experiment following amendment with various woody materials and fertiliser additions. Deciduous wood sawdust stimulated saprotrophic fungi and immobilised up to 17 kg N t⁻¹ wood, with subsequent gradual remobilisation; coniferous sawdust alone immobilised less nitrogen but prolonged retention when combined with deciduous materials.
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