Effects of Long-term Combined Application of Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers on Soil Carbon Pool and Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Orchards

Applying organic fertilizer can increase the contents of soil organic carbon (SOC) and active organic carbon, which are crucial for strengthening soil quality and fertility. Four treatments were established: no fertilization (CK), single application of organic fertilizer (M), single application of chemical fertilizer (NPK), and combined application of organic and inorganic fertilizers (MNPK). The changes in SOC and active components under long-term combined application of organic and inorganic fertilizers were investigated, as were the effects of various fertilization measures on greenhouse gas emissions. Moreover, we evaluated the variation in the soil carbon pool management index (CPMI). Total organic carbon (TOC), microbial biomass carbon (MBC), dissolved organic carbon (DOC), easily oxidized organic carbon (EOC), and particulate organic carbon (POC) increased by 82. 84%, 66. 30%, 21. 12%, 93. 28%, and 145. 80%, respectively, when compared to those in the CK treatment. The NPK treatment had no discernible effect on SOC and organic carbon components. The combined application of organic and inorganic materials could enhance LI, CPI, and the soil carbon pool management index, with the increase in LI and CPI being the primary reason for the increase in CPMI. Correlation analyses revealed that soil organic carbon components and CPMI were significantly positively correlated with greenhouse gas emissions. The combined application of organic and inorganic materials enhanced cumulative CO2 emissions and warming potential (GWP) but decreased GHGI and yielded a maximum of 56 365 kg·hm - 2 . Compared with that in the CK treatment (29 073 kg·hm - 2 ), apple yield in MNPK increased by 93. 87%. Therefore, applying organic and inorganic fertilizers in dryland apple orchards can improve the accumulation of organic carbon and stabilize the soil carbon pool, which is more beneficial to the sustainable development of orchards. © 2023 Science Press. All rights reserved.