The effects of temperature on decomposition and allelopathic phytotoxicity of boneseed litter

• Published in: Journal of environmental sciences (China) Vol. 33; no. 7; pp. 1 - 11
• Main Authors: Harun, Md. Abdullah Yousuf Al, Johnson, Joshua, Uddin, Md. Nazim, Robinson, Randall W.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01.07.2015
• Subjects: Allelopathy; Asteraceae - chemistry; Biodegradation, Environmental; Boneseed; DOC; Humic Substances - analysis; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Lactuca - drug effects; Nutrient cycling; Phenolics; Phytotoxicity; Seeds; Soil - chemistry; Temperature; 凋落物分解; 化感; 土壤养分; 温度降低; 溶解有机碳; 生态系统功能; 药害; 酚类物质; DOC; Temperature; Nutrient cycling; Phytotoxicity; Phenolics; Boneseed
• ISSN: 1001-0742; 1878-7320
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jes.2014.12.017

Decomposition of plant litter is a fundamental process in ecosystem function, carbon and nutrient cycling and, by extension, climate change. This study aimed to investigate the role of temperature on the decomposition of water soluble phenolics（WSP）, carbon and soil nutrients in conjunction with the phytotoxicity dynamics of Chrysanthemoides monilifera subsp. monilifera（boneseed） litter. Treatments consisted of three factors including decomposition materials（litter alone, litter with soil and soil alone）, decomposition periods and temperatures（5-15, 15-25and 25-35°C（night/day））. Leachates were collected on 0, 5, 10, 20, 40 and 60 th days to analyse physico-chemical parameters and phytotoxicity. Water soluble phenolics and dissolved organic carbon（DOC） increased with increasing temperature while nutrients like SO-24 and NO-13 decreased. Speed of germination, hypocotyl and radical length and weight of Lactuca sativa exposed to leachates were decreased with increasing decomposition temperature. All treatment components had significant effects on these parameters. There had a strong correlation between DOC and WSP, and WSP content of the leachates with radical length of test species. This study identified complex interactivity among temperature, WSP, DOC and soil nutrient dynamics of litter occupied soil and that these factors work together to influence phytotoxicity.