Journal article

Authors list: John, Katharina; Zaitsev, Andrey S.; Zuev, Andrey G.; Aspe, Nonillon M.; Korobushkin, Daniil I.; Wolters, Volkmar

Publication year: 2023

Journal: European Journal of Soil Biology

Volume number: 119

ISSN: 1164-5563

eISSN: 1778-3615

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejsobi.2023.103558

Publisher: Elsevier

Abstract: 
The role of earthworms in the direct transfer of dissolved soil organic carbon to plants is poorly understood. We quantified this effect by examining the root uptake of carbon from 13C-labeled rice straw in a greenhouse experiment with three non-flooded Philippine soils that greatly differed in texture (from light sandy to loam). Measurements of carbon stable isotope signatures of aerobic rice and maize over a two-month period revealed that earthworms positively affected 13C transfer from rice straw to rice plants but not to maize plants. However, this effect was significant only in loamy and not in sandy soils. Although the direct uptake of dissolved carbon from soil had no impact on rice production, it indicated a widely ignored option to mitigate carbon loss from crop residue decomposition and associated climate risks. Its enhancement by earthworms confirms the important role of this taxon as soil engineers.

Harvard Citation style: John, K., Zaitsev, A., Zuev, A., Aspe, N., Korobushkin, D. and Wolters, V. (2023) Isotopic evidence for the effects of earthworm and straw amendment on root carbon uptake of upland rice and maize, European Journal of Soil Biology, 119, Article 103558. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejsobi.2023.103558

APA Citation style: John, K., Zaitsev, A., Zuev, A., Aspe, N., Korobushkin, D., & Wolters, V. (2023). Isotopic evidence for the effects of earthworm and straw amendment on root carbon uptake of upland rice and maize. European Journal of Soil Biology. 119, Article 103558. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejsobi.2023.103558