The researchers studied fungus-growing termite mounds (active and abandoned), both above- and below ground, in a 24-year-old rubber stand. They then measured the mass distribution and stability of the aggregates and the P-fraction concentrations in soil aggregates of termite mounds, as well as their correlations with key chemical properties.
Active belowground chambers showed greater stability and less erodibility due to more aggregates > 1 mm in size than aboveground mounds. In active aboveground mounds, the concentrations of labile P and non-labile P were higher than in other types. However, H2O-Pi and NaHCO3-Pi in most aggregates were enriched in active belowground chambers relative to aboveground ones.
Furthermore, middle-sized aggregates (0.25–2 mm) stored more P and represented the highest P storage capacity, especially for active belowground chambers.
The results suggest that although termite activity reduces aggregate stability above ground, the effect of promoting P availability is beneficial.
"Our study provides an important reason why mound soils can be considered as fertility amendments for agroforestry practices in P-deficient tropical soils," said LIU Chengang of XTBG.
Researchers from Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden (XTBG) conducted a study to assess the variation of soil respiration and its components in rubber plantations of different stand age.
In a recent study, researchers from the Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden showed that multitrophic soil organisms of different body sizes are good predictors of soil biodiversity and are essential to maintain ecosystem multifunctionality in tropical land use systems.
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