SOIL MICROORGANISMS AND NUTRIENT DYNAMICS IN AGROECOSYSTEMS

2013 ◽  
pp. 445-464
Keyword(s):  
Soil Microorganisms ◽  
Nutrient Dynamics

scholarly journals Microbial community structure and nutrient dynamics in forest soils colonized by bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinum)

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manuel Aira ◽  
Andrea Tato ◽  
Jorge Domínguez
Keyword(s):  
Community Structure ◽  
Microbial Community ◽  
Forest Soil ◽  
Forest Soils ◽  
Microbial Community Structure ◽  
Soil Microorganisms ◽  
Nutrient Dynamics ◽  
Pteridium Aquilinum ◽  
Bracken Fern ◽  
Soil Microbial

Bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinum) is one of the most successful plant colonizers of soils in temperate regions; however, its effects on microbial community structure and activity and nutrient dynamics remain poorly understood. We studied whether colonization of forest soil by bracken fern modifies the structure and function of the soil microbial communities and considered the implications for ecosystem functioning. For this purpose, we analyzed microbial community structure (PLFAs) and activity (basal respiration, metabolic quotient), litter decomposition and nutrient dynamics (C, N and P) in monospecific oak (Quercus robur L.), eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus Labill.) and maritime pine forests (Pinus pinaster Aiton) colonized by bracken fern. Colonization of forest soil by bracken fern led to a reduction in differences in microbial community structure, as revealed by principal component and cluster analysis, although samples from oak forests were grouped separately. According to this, bracken litter decomposed to a greater extent than native tree litter in pine forest soils, whereas the opposite was found in oak forest soils. Such differences were not observed in eucalyptus forest soils. Colonization by bracken fern affected C mineralization, with no difference between the different types of forest; however, both N and P mineralization were higher in oak than in the other types of forest. In conclusion, colonization by bracken fern homogenizes soil microbial community structure. Differences in the decomposability of bracken litter in the different forest systems suggest a high degree of metabolic specialization of soil microorganisms. Thus, the soil microorganisms associated with bracken are continuously driven to decompose the bracken litter. In the long-term this will alter nutrient cycling, slowing decomposition and enhancing sequestering of nutrients by bracken ferns.

scholarly journals Soil functions and the role of biological activities

2021 ◽  
pp. 161-170
Author(s):  
Paolo Nannipieri
Keyword(s):  
Soil Microorganisms ◽  
Nutrient Dynamics ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Soil Nutrient ◽  
Life Forms ◽  
Molecular Techniques ◽  
Microbial Life ◽  
Expression Of Genes ◽  
Terrestrial Life

Despite soil is a thin layer covering terrestrial Earth surface, it carries out functions that are essential for the terrestrial life forms and these functions are mainly conducted by soil icroorganisms, such as fungi and bacteria. They live in a complex, structured and peculiar nvironment. Microbial diversity is huge and soil is considered the most biodiverse ecosystem on arth because a handful of soil can contain thousands of millions microbial cells. Despite the high microbial biomass only less than 1% of the available space is occupied by soil microorganisms because most of the available microenvironments show conditions hostile to microbial life. The application of molecular techniques has markedly improved the knowledge of the microbial life and activity in soil. In particular, the microbial species inhabiting soil can be detected whereas the expression of genes is still a technical challenge. Gross rates of nutrient transformations can be determined by using labelled compounds with positive implications on the evaluation of soil nutrient dynamics, including availability for plants.

scholarly journals Microbial community structure and nutrient dynamics in forest soils colonized by bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinum)

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manuel Aira ◽  
Andrea Tato ◽  
Jorge Domínguez
Keyword(s):  
Community Structure ◽  
Microbial Community ◽  
Forest Soil ◽  
Forest Soils ◽  
Microbial Community Structure ◽  
Soil Microorganisms ◽  
Nutrient Dynamics ◽  
Pteridium Aquilinum ◽  
Bracken Fern ◽  
Soil Microbial

Bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinum) is one of the most successful plant colonizers of soils in temperate regions; however, its effects on microbial community structure and activity and nutrient dynamics remain poorly understood. We studied whether colonization of forest soil by bracken fern modifies the structure and function of the soil microbial communities and considered the implications for ecosystem functioning. For this purpose, we analyzed microbial community structure (PLFAs) and activity (basal respiration, metabolic quotient), litter decomposition and nutrient dynamics (C, N and P) in monospecific oak (Quercus robur L.), eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus Labill.) and maritime pine forests (Pinus pinaster Aiton) colonized by bracken fern. Colonization of forest soil by bracken fern led to a reduction in differences in microbial community structure, as revealed by principal component and cluster analysis, although samples from oak forests were grouped separately. According to this, bracken litter decomposed to a greater extent than native tree litter in pine forest soils, whereas the opposite was found in oak forest soils. Such differences were not observed in eucalyptus forest soils. Colonization by bracken fern affected C mineralization, with no difference between the different types of forest; however, both N and P mineralization were higher in oak than in the other types of forest. In conclusion, colonization by bracken fern homogenizes soil microbial community structure. Differences in the decomposability of bracken litter in the different forest systems suggest a high degree of metabolic specialization of soil microorganisms. Thus, the soil microorganisms associated with bracken are continuously driven to decompose the bracken litter. In the long-term this will alter nutrient cycling, slowing decomposition and enhancing sequestering of nutrients by bracken ferns.

Soil response to chemicals used in a field experiment

2013 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 151-158 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Jezierska-Tys ◽  
A. Rutkowska
Keyword(s):  
Alkaline Phosphatase ◽  
Enzymatic Activity ◽  
Field Experiment ◽  
Soil Microorganisms ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Soil Samples ◽  
Alkaline Phosphatases ◽  
Soil Response ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Set Up

Abstract The effect of chemicals (Reglone 200 SL and Elastiq 550 EC) on soil microorganisms and their enzymatic activity was estimated. The study was conducted in a field experiment which was set up in the split-block design and comprised three treatments. Soil samples were taken six times, twice in each year of study. The results showed that the application of chemicals generally had no negative effect on the number of soil microorganisms. The application of Reglone 200 SL caused an increase of proteolytic and ureolytic activity and affected the activity of dehydrogenases, acid and alkaline phosphatases in the soil. The soil subjected of Elastiq 550 EC was characterized by lower activity of dehydrogenases, protease, urease and alkaline phosphatase.

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