Arylsulfatase activity of soil microbial biomass along a Mediterranean-arid transect

The relationships between arylsulfatase and microbial activity were investigated in regional and microenvironmental scales, at three study sites in Israel, that represent different climatic regions—Mediterranean (sub-humid), mildly arid and arid.Total arylsulfatase activity was divided into extracellular and intracellular (microbial biomass enzyme) activities according to the chloroform-fumigation method. The results show that with increasing aridity, C_org (soil organic carbon), C_mic (soil microbial biomass carbon), N_mic (soil microbial biomass nitrogen) and respiration rate decreased, while C_mic/C_org and metabolic quotient (qCO₂) increased. Total, extracellular and microbial biomass arylsulfatase activities decreased with aridity. Expressed as percentage of total activity, the arylsulfatase activity of microbial biomass in the soil, at 0-2 cm and 5-10 cm depths, accounted for more than 50% of the total, in most measurements. This activity was significantly higher in the arid sites than that found in the Mediterranean one for the 0-2 cm soil. The results indicate the importance of the microflora as an enzyme source in soils, especially in arid climate conditions.Enzyme activity in the different study sites was found to be influenced by microenvironmental conditions. The Mediterranean site showed a much higher enzyme activity under shrubs than that under rock fragments and in bare soil. In the arid site rock fragments created a favorable microenvironment for microbial activity on soil surface, which resulted in a much higher microbial biomass and arylsulfatase activity than that in bare soil.The total, extracellular and intracellular arylsulfatase activities, were significantly correlated with C_org, C_mic, N_mic and respiration rate (p<0.05) at all study sites. The correlation coefficients between microbial biomass and arylsulfatase activity were usually higher than those between organic carbon and enzyme activity, especially in the arid sites. Close relationships between microbial biomass and arylsulfatase activities in all the studied sites supported the hypothesis that C_org content and enzyme activities should be related to each other via microbial biomass. Arylsulfatase activity was found to be a good indicator of microbial one. The regression equations between these factors can be incorporated into models of biogeochemical cycling for their easy method of analysis.     

Enzyme activities in agricultural soils fumigated with methyl bromide alternatives

Pre-plant fumigation of agricultural soils with a combination of methyl bromide (MeBr) and chloropicrin (CP) to control nematodes, soil-borne pathogens and weeds has been a common practice in strawberry (Fragaria X ananassa Duchesne) production since the 1960s. MeBr will be phased out by 2005, but little is known about the impacts of alternative fumigants on soil microbial processes. We investigated the response of microbial biomass and enzyme activities in soils fumigated over two years with MeBr+CP and the alternatives propargyl bromide (PrBr), InLine, Midas and CP. Results were compared to control soils, which were not fumigated for the last 4-5 years for Watsonville and Oxnard, respectively, but had a 10 year history of MeBr+CP fumigation (history soils). Soil samples (0-15 cm) were taken from two sites in the coastal areas of California, USA, in Watsonville and Oxnard, at peak strawberry production after two years of repeated application. In addition to the soil enzymes, the activities of purified reference enzymes of β-glucosidase, acid phosphatase and arylsulfatase were assayed before and after fumigation with MeBr+CP and alternative biocides. At the Oxnard site, microbial respiration significantly decreased in soils fumigated with MeBr+CP (P=0.036), while microbial biomass C and N showed no response to fumigation at both sites. These results may indicate that fumigation promotes the growth of resistant species or that soil microorganisms had recovered at the time of sampling. Repeated soil fumigation with MeBr+CP significantly decreased the activities of β-glucosidase and acid phosphatase at the Watsonville site, and dehydrogenase activity at the Oxnard site. Although, enzyme activities in soils fumigated with PrBr, InLine, Midas and CP were lower compared to the control soil, effects were, in general, not significant. Fumigation with MeBr+CP and alternatives reduced the activities of purified reference enzymes by 13, 76 and 28% for acid phosphatase, β-glucosidase and arylsulfatase, respectively. Mean enzyme protein concentrations in fumigated agricultural soils were 2.93, 0.105, and 2.95 mg protein kg⁻¹ soil for acid phosphatase, β-glucosidase and arylsulfatase, respectively, all lower than in control soils. Organic matter turnover and nutrient cycling, and thus, the long-term productivity of agricultural soils seem unaffected in soils repeatedly fumigated with PrBr, InLine, Midas and CP.     

黄土高原中国松人工林演替过程中的土壤微生物和酶活性

Successional and seasonal effects on soil microbial and enzymatic properties were studied in Chinese pine (Pinus tabu- laeformis) plantations in an age sequence of 3-, 7-, 13-, 21- and 28-year-old in northern Ziwuling region in the middle of Loess Plateau, China. The results indicated that plantation age and season affected soil microbial and enzymatic parameters significantly. Soil organic C, total N, microbial biomass C, microbial quotient, basal respiration, dehydrogenase, N-α-benzoyl-L-argininamide (BAA)-protease, urease and β-glucosidase increased quickly and tended to be highest at PF21 (21-year plantation), thereafter they remained nearly at a constant level, whereas the metabolic quotient (qCO 2 ) showed an initial increase and then decreased gradually. Measures of these soil properties showed significant seasonal fluctuations except for organic C and total N, which were found to be relatively stable throughout the study period, and the seasonal distributions were autumn spring summer winter for microbial biomass C, microbial quotient, dehydrogenase, and β-glucosidase; autumn summer spring winter for BAA-protease and urease; and summer autumn spring winter for basal respiration and qCO 2 . Significant season × age interaction was observed for biomass C, basal respiration, dehydrogenase and BAA-protease.     

Microbial activities in forest soils exposed to chronic depositions from a lignite power plant

Atmospheric emissions of fly ash and SO₂ from lignite-fired power plants strongly affect large forest areas in Germany. The impact of different deposition loads on the microbial biomass and enzyme activities was studied at three forest sites (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) along an emission gradient of 3, 6, and 15 km downwind of a coal-fired power plant (sites Ia, II, and III, respectively), representing high, moderate and low emission rates. An additional site (site Ib) at a distance of 3 km from the power plant was chosen to study the influence of forest type on microbial parameters in coniferous forest soils under fly ash and SO₂ emissions. Soil microbial biomass C and N, CO₂ evolved and activities of l-asparaginase, l-glutaminase, β -glucosidase, acid phosphatase and arylsulfatase (expressed on dry soil and organic C basis) were determined in the forest floor (L, Of and Oh horizon) and mineral top soil (0-10 cm). The emission-induced increases in ferromagnetic susceptibility, soil pH, concentrations of mobile (NH₄NO₃ extractable) Cd, Cr, and Ni, effective cation exchange capacity and base saturation in the humus layer along the 15 km long transect significantly (P<0.05) reflected the effect of past depositions of alkaline fly ash. Soil microbial and biochemical parameters were significantly (P<0.05) affected by chronic fly ash depositions. The effect of forest type (i.e. comparison of sites Ia and Ib) on the studied parameters was generally dominated by the deposition effect. Alkaline depositions significantly (P<0.05) decreased the microbial biomass C and N, microbial biomass C-to-N ratios and microbial biomass C-to-organic C ratios. Microbial respiration, metabolic quotient (qCO₂) and the activities of l-asparaginase, l-glutaminase, β-glucosidase, acid phosphatase and arylsulfatase were increased by long-term depositions from the power plants. Acid phosphatase had the highest specific (enzyme activities expressed per unit organic C) activity values among the enzymes studied and arylsulfatase the lowest. The responses of the microbial biomass and soil respiration data to different atmospheric deposition loads were mainly controlled by the content of organic C and cation exchange capacity, while those of enzyme activities were governed by the soil pH and concentrations of mobile heavy metals. We concluded that chronic fly ash depositions decrease litter decomposition by influencing specific microbial and enzymatic processes in forest soils.     

Tebuconazole application decreases soil microbial biomass and activity

A short-term mesocosm experiment was conducted to ascertain the impact of tebuconazole on soil microbial communities. Tebuconazole was applied to soil samples with no previous pesticide history at three rates: 5, 50 and 500 mg kg⁻¹ DW soil. Soil sampling was carried out after 0, 7, 30, 60 and 90 days of incubation to determine tebuconazole concentration and microbial properties with potential as bioindicators of soil health [i.e., basal respiration, substrate-induced respiration, microbial biomass C, enzyme activities (urease, arylsulfatase, β-glucosidase, alkaline phosphatase, dehydrogenase), nitrification rate, and functional community profiling]. Tebuconazole degradation was accurately described by a bi-exponential model (degradation half-lives varied from 9 to 263 days depending on the concentration tested). Basal respiration, substrate-induced respiration, microbial biomass C and enzyme activities were inhibited by tebuconazole. Nitrification rate was also inhibited but only during the first 30 days. Different functional community profiles were observed depending on the tebuconazole concentration used. It was concluded that tebuconazole application decreases soil microbial biomass and activity.     

LONG‐TERM LAND USE INFLUENCES SOIL MICROBIAL BIOMASS P AND S,PHOSPHATASE AND ARYLSULFATASE ACTIVITIES,AND S MINERALIZATION IN A BRAZILIAN OXISOL

Land use choices differentially affect soil physical and biological properties. Tillage choices in particular affect soil erosion, the retention of soil organic matter, and the biological activity that organic matter supports. The present study evaluated the consequences of different cropping and tillage systems (undisturbed forest, coffee plantation, conventional, and no‐tillage row cropping) for soil microbial indicators and sulfur mineralization after 24 years of cropping on an Oxisol (Typic Haplorthox) in an experimental area at Londrina, Brazil. Soil samples were taken at 0–5, 5–10, and 10–20 cm depths and evaluated for microbial biomass P and S, S mineralization, and phosphatase and arylsulfatase activities. Land use affected microbial biomass P and S, and enzyme activity at all depths studied. The cultivated sites had lower values of microbial activity than the undisturbed forested site. Although the coffee site was not tilled and had high organic carbon content, there was low microbial activity, probably due to higher soil acidity and Al content. The estimates of pool stock for microbial P and annual P flux through the soil microbial biomass suggest that these pools are large enough to significantly affect plant nutrient availability. The greater microbial biomass and activity under forested and no‐tillage sites may be attributed, at least partially, to higher organic matter content. The soil microbial variables examined proved to be strong indicators of soil sustainability. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Microbial biomass activities in urban soils in two consecutive years

Ecological soil functions are protected in Germany. Thus, for the sustainable use of urban soil resources data on the function of soils to serve as a habitat are required. Soil microbial biomass and activities were studied in two surface horizons in two consecutive years at nine sites in Stuttgart, Germany, differing in land use. Microbial biomass (chloroform‐fumigation extraction, substrate‐induced respiration) and microbial activities (potential N mineralization, potential ammonium oxidation, and enzyme activities of dehydrogenase, urease, arylsulfatase, and phosphatase) were determined in 2001 and 2002. DIN/ISO standard methods were applied as far as they were available. Furthermore, soil chemical properties were determined in the 2001‐samples. Large differences in chemical and microbiological properties among surface horizons were found. Concentrations of microbial biomass and microbial activities were, however, often comparable to agricultural or forest surface soils. The lowest microbial biomass and activities were observed at a highly disturbed railway area where vegetation was missing and total organic C (TOC) had been altered by anthropogenic organic particles. In contrast, microorganisms were promoted at vegetated sites and where organic impurities were negligible. As TOC was altered by obscure organic matter, total N (TN) and not TOC closely correlated with soil microbiological properties. Biomass and activity generally decreased with depth, but mixing of organic matter resulted in more uniform depth distribution of microbial properties in one garden soil. In 2002, microbial biomass and activity were often lower compared to 2001, but interpretation of this difference hampered as the number of samples taken was probably not sufficient to address the spatial variability in soil properties. Additional studies are needed to develop simple and cost‐effective procedures for the evaluation of ecological quality of urban soils by combined efforts of city planners and soil scientists.     

Soil compaction and forest floor removal reduced microbial biomass and enzyme activities in a boreal aspen forest soil

Soil enzymes are linked to microbial functions and nutrient cycling in forest ecosystems and are considered sensitive to soil disturbances. We investigated the effects of severe soil compaction and whole-tree harvesting plus forest floor removal (referred to as FFR below, compared with stem-only harvesting) on available N, microbial biomass C (MBC), microbial biomass N (MBN), and microbial biomass P (MBP), and dehydrogenase, protease, and phosphatase activities in the forest floor and 0–10 cm mineral soil in a boreal aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) forest soil near Dawson Creek, British Columbia, Canada. In the forest floor, no soil compaction effects were observed for any of the soil microbial or enzyme activity parameters measured. In the mineral soil, compaction reduced available N, MBP, and acid phosphatase by 53, 47, and 48%, respectively, when forest floor was intact, and protease and alkaline phosphatase activities by 28 and 27%, respectively, regardless of FFR. Forest floor removal reduced available P, MBC, MBN, and protease and alkaline phosphatase activities by 38, 46, 49, 25, and 45%, respectively, regardless of soil compaction, and available N, MBP, and acid phosphatase activity by 52, 50, and 39%, respectively, in the noncompacted soil. Neither soil compaction nor FFR affected dehydrogenase activities. Reductions in microbial biomass and protease and phosphatase activities after compaction and FFR likely led to the reduced N and P availabilities in the soil. Our results indicate that microbial biomass and enzyme activities were sensitive to soil compaction and FFR and that such disturbances had negative consequences for forest soil N and P cycling and fertility.     

Influence of long-term residue management on soil enzyme activities in relation to soil chemical properties of a wheat-fallow system

Summary Soil enzyme activities (acid and alkaline phosphatase, arylsulfatase, -glucosidase, urease and amidase) were determined (0- to 20-cm depth) after 55 years of crop-residue and N-fertilization treatment in a winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)-fallow system on semiarid soils of the Pacific Northwest. All residues were incorporated and the treatments were: straw (N₀), straw with fall burn (N₀FB), straw with spring burn (N₀SB), straw plus 45 kg N ha^–1 (N₄₅), straw plus 90 kg N ha^–1 (N₉₀), straw burned in spring plus 45 kg N ha^–1 (N₄₅SB), straw burned in spring plus 90 kg N ha^–1 (N₉₀SB), straw plus 2.24 T ha^–1 pea-vine residue and straw plus 22.4 T ha^–1 of straw-manure. Enzyme activities were significantly (P<0.001) affected by residue management. The highest activities were observed in the manure treated soil, ranging from 36% (acid phosphatase) to 190% increase in activity over the control (N₀). The lowest activities occurred in the N₀FB (acid phosphatase, arylsulfatase and -glucosidase) and N₉₀ treated soils (alkaline phosphatase, amidase and urease). Straw-burning had a significant effect only on acid phosphatase activity, which decreased in spring burn treated soil when inorganic N was applied. Urease and amidase activity decreased with long-term addition of inorganic N whereas the pea vine and the manure additions increased urease and amidase activity. There was a highly significant effect from the residue treatments on soil pH. Arylsulfatase, urease, amidase and alkaline phosphatase activities were positively correlated and acid phosphatase activity was negatively correlated with soil pH. Enzyme activities were strongly correlated with soil organic C and total N content. Except for acid phosphatase, there was no significant relationship between enzyme activity and grain yield.Journal Paper No. 8072 of the Agricultural Experimental Station, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA     

Microbial populations,enzyme activities and nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium enrichment in earthworm casts and in the surrounding soil of a pineapple plantation

Summary Total populations of bacteria and fungi, dehydrogenase activity (as a measure of total potential microbial activity), and urease and phosphatase activities were determined in earthworm casts and surrounding laterite soils planted to pineapple. The casts contained higher microbial populations and enzyme activities than the soil. Except for fungal populations, statistically significant (P = 0.05) increases were found in all other parameters. Microbial populations and enzyme activities showed similar temporal trends with higher values in spring and summer and lower values in winter. The earthworm casts contained higher amounts of N, P, K and organic C than the soil (P = 0.05). Selective feeding by earthworms on organically rich substrates, which break down during passage through the gut, is likely to be responsible for the higher microbial populations and greater enzyme activity in the casts.     

Responses of phosphatases and arylsulfatase in soils to liming and tillage systems

This study was carried out to investigate the long‐term influence of lime application and tillage systems (no‐till, ridge‐till, and chisel plow) on the activities of phosphatases and arylsulfatase in soils at four research sites in Iowa, USA. The activities of the following enzymes were studied: acid and alkaline phosphatases, phosphodiesterase, and arylsulfatase at their optimal pH values. With the exception of acid phosphatase, which was significantly (P < 0.001) but negatively correlated with soil pH (r ranged from –0.65** to –0.98***), the activities of other enzymes were significantly (P < 0.001) and positively correlated with soil pH, with r values ranging from 0.65** to 0.99*** for alkaline phosphatase, from 0.79*** to 0.97*** for phosphodiesterase, and from 0.66*** to 0.97*** for arylsulfatase. The Δ activity/Δ pH values were calculated to determine the sensitivity of each enzyme to changes in soil pH. Acid phosphatase was the most sensitive and arylsulfatase the least sensitive to changes in soil pH. Activities of the enzymes were greater in the 0 – 5 cm depth samples than those in 0 – 15 cm samples under no‐till treatment. With the exception of acid phosphatase, enzyme activities were mostly significantly (P < 0.001) and positively correlated with microbial biomass C (C_mic), with r values ranging from 0.28 (not significant) to 0.83*** and with microbial biomass N (N_mic), with r values ranging from 0.31 (not significant) to 0.94***. Liming and tillage systems significantly affected the activities of some enzymes but not others, as was evident from the specific activity values (g of p‐nitrophenol released kg^–1 C_org h^–1).     

The use of biological methods to determine the microbiological activity of soils under cultivation

Summary In Ap horizons of typical arable soils under cereals in Northwest Germany, biological activity was estimated by measuring microbial activity. Twelve soils on local farms and six soils on a research farm were analysed. Microbial biomass, dehydrogenase activity, and alkaline phosphatase activity were compared with the biological availability of P, an index describing the relationship among several P fractions that has been used in ecological agriculture. The correlation between the microbial biomass and dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphatase activity was strong but the correlation between the biological availability of P and the enzyme activities was weak. In contrast, in the farm fields, there was a significant correlation between the microbial biomass and the biological availability of P. The correlation between the biological availability of P and pH was highly significant (r=0.65–0.93^***). Explanations for these correlations are discussed and proposals for further investigations are made. (1) Is the pH effect a direct chemical one or an indirect biological one? (2) Which soil organisms affect the biological availability of P in contrast to the microbial biomass, dehydrogenase activity, and alkaline phosphatase activity? (3) Is the method suitable for the investigation of all arable soils?     

Structural diversity and enzyme activity of volcanic soils at different stages of development and response to experimental disturbance

We investigated the phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) diversity and enzyme activities in soils from the volcano, Mt. Etna (Sicily). The soils were at sites which have been developing for different periods of time and have formed in volcanic lava of differing ages that have been supplemented with volcanic ejecta from subsequent eruptions. However, the plant communities indicated a marked successional difference between the sites and we have used this as a proxy for developmental stage. We have compared the structural and functional properties of the microbial communities in soils from the two sites and tested experimentally the hypothesis that the more diverse community was more resistant and resilient to disturbance. The experimental disturbance imposed was heating (60 °C for 48 h) and the recovery of enzyme activities (β-glucosidase, acid phosphatase and arylsulfatase) and structural properties (PLFA profiles) were then followed over six months. The microbial community in the soil from the older site was more structurally diverse and had a larger total PLFA concentration before disturbance than that of the soil from the younger site. The older soil community was not more resistant and resilient following an environmental disturbance as the younger soil community was equally or more resistant and resilient for all parameters. Changes in enzyme activities following disturbance were almost entirely attributable to changes in biomass (total PLFA).     

Early impacts of cotton and peanut cropping systems on selected soil chemical,physical, microbiological and biochemical properties

This study investigated the impacts of cropping systems of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.; Ct) and peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.; Pt) on a Brownfield fine sandy soil (Loamy, mixed, superactive, thermic Arenic Aridic Paleustalfs) in west Texas, United States. Samples (0–12 cm) were taken 2 and 3 years after establishment of the plots from PtPtPt, CtCtPt and PtCtCt in March, June and September 2002, and in March 2003. Soil total N and aggregate stability were generally not different among the cropping systems. The pH of the soils was >8.0. Continuous peanut increased soil organic C, microbial biomass C (C_mic) and the activities of -glucosidase, -glucosaminidase, acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, phosphodiesterase and arylsulfatase compared to the peanut-cotton rotations. The arylsulfatase activity of the fumigated field-moist soil and that resulting from the difference of the fumigated minus non-fumigated soil were greater in PtPtPt, but arylsulfatase activity of non-fumigated soil was unaffected by the cropping systems. Soil C_mic showed a different seasonal variation to enzyme activities during the study. Enzyme activities:microbial biomass ratios indicated that the microbial biomass may not have produced significant amounts of enzymes or that newly released enzymes did not become stabilized in the soil (i.e., due to its low clay and organic matter contents). Fungal (18:26c and 18:19c) and bacterial (15:0, a15:0, and a17:0) FAMEs were higher in PtPtPt than in CtCtPt or PtCtCt cropping systems. Our results suggest that the quality or quantity of residues returned to the soil under a peanut and cotton rotation did not impact the properties of this sandy soil after the first 3 years of this study.     

蚯蚓活动对生态滤池土壤酶活性的影响

通过构建蚯蚓生态滤池和无蚯蚓对照生态滤池的实验,研究了蚯蚓活动对生态滤池土壤酶活性(蔗糖酶、脲酶、碱性磷酸酶)的影响以及酶活性的季节动态变化特征。研究结果表明,在0~20 cm的基质层,三种土壤酶活性随土壤深度的增加而减少;蚯蚓活动对生态滤池的基质酶活性有促进作,蔗糖酶和脲酶活性在蚯蚓作用下得到显著的提高,而碱性磷酸酶对蚯蚓活动的响应仅限于5~10 cm基质层;在试验期内,生态滤池内的蚯蚓数量及生物量受温度及土壤湿度的影响表现出较大的季节波动:夏季最高,春季冬季相对较高,秋季最低;三种土壤酶活性表现为相似的季节变化规律:秋季活性最高,而秋季和夏季的酶活性高于春季和冬季。蚯蚓活动对生态滤池基质土壤蔗糖酶活性和脲酶显著的促进作用,并间接影响了其对生活污水污染物去除效果。     

Soil biochemical and microbial indices in wet tropical forests: Effects of deforestation and cultivation

Little information is available about the long‐term effects of deforestation and cultivation on biochemical and microbial properties in wet tropical forest soils. In this study, we evaluated the general and specific biochemical properties of soils under evergreen, semi‐evergreen, and moist deciduous forests and adjacent plantations of coconut, arecanut, and rubber, established by clear felling portions of these forests. We also examined the effects of change in land use on microbial indices and their interrelationships in soils. Significant differences between the sites occurred for the biochemical properties reflecting soil microbial activity. Microbial biomass C, biomass N, soil respiration, N mineralization capacity, ergosterol, levels of adenylates (ATP, AMP, ADP), and activities of dehydrogenase and catalase were, in general, significantly higher under the forests than under the plantations. Likewise, the activities of various hydrolytic enzymes such as acid phosphomonoesterase, phosphodiesterase, casein‐protease, BAA‐protease, β‐glucosidase, CM‐cellulase, invertase, urease, and arylsulfatase were significantly higher in the forest soils which suggested that deforestation and cultivation markedly reduced microbial activity, enzyme synthesis and accumulation due to decreased C turnover and nutrient availability. While the ratios of microbial biomass C : N and microbial biomass C : organic C did not vary significantly between the sites, the ratios of ergosterol : biomass C and ATP : biomass C, qCO2 and AEC (Adenylate Energy Charge) levels were significantly higher in the forest sites indicating high energy requirements of soil microbes at these sites.     

长期冬种绿肥对红壤性水稻土微生物特性及酶活性的影响

以农业部衡阳红壤环境重点野外科学观测基地长期冬种绿肥稻田为平台,研究了双季稻种植区长期冬种绿肥下红壤性水稻土微生物特性及酶活性与土壤质量的关系,阐明了长期冬种绿肥翻压下土壤健康的微生物指标功能。研究分析了26年冬种不同绿肥的红壤性水稻土微生物学参数之间的差异及其提升土壤肥力的作用,结果表明,与冬季休闲处理相比,长期冬种绿肥翻压处理的微生物种群数量、微生物生物量碳(SMBC)、微生物生物量氮(SMBN)、土壤呼吸、脲酶、转化酶和脱氢酶活性都有所提高,代谢熵(qCO2)降低,以长期冬种紫云英翻压处理效果最明显。微生物种群数量、SMBC、脲酶、脱氢酶与土壤总有机碳(TOC)、全氮(TN)、速效氮(AN)、缓效钾(SLK)和速效钾(AK)呈显著或极显著相关;TOC,TN,AN,SLK,AK,微生物种群数量,脲酶、转化酶、脱氢酶活性与水稻产量呈显著正相关关系。长期冬种绿肥翻压能明显地改善红壤性水稻土的微生物特性与酶活性,提高土壤肥力。     

Effects of long-term phosphorus fertilizer inputs and seasonal conditions on organic soil phosphorus cycling under grazed pasture

Soil microbes and phosphatase enzymes play a critical role in organic soil phosphorus (P) cycling. However, how long-term P inputs influence microbial P transformations and phosphatase enzyme activity under grazed pastures remains unclear. We collected top-soil (0–75 mm) from a grazed pasture receiving contrasting P inputs (control, 188 kg ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ of single super phosphate [SSP], and 376 kg ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ of SSP) for more than 65 years. Olsen P, microbial biomass P, and acid and alkaline phosphatase enzyme activities were measured regularly over a 2-year period. Pasture dry matter and soil chemical properties were also investigated. Results showed that long-term P inputs significantly increased pasture dry matter, total N, and the concentrations of ${\mathrm{NO}}_3^{–}$–N but significantly decreased soil pH and the concentrations of ${\mathrm{NH}}_4^{+}$–N. Total C was not affected by P fertilization. Although Olsen P significantly increased with increasing long-term P inputs, microbial biomass P was similar under P fertilized treatments. Long-term P inputs decreased acid phosphatase activity but increased alkaline phosphatase activity. Microbial biomass P was similar across seasons in the control but decreased in spring and autumn while increased in summer and winter under P fertilized treatments. Acid and alkaline phosphatase activities were significantly affected by season and followed similar seasonal trends being maximum in summer and minimum in winter regardless of P treatment. Correlation and principal component analysis revealed that acid and alkaline phosphatase activities were significantly positively correlated with soil temperature and significantly negatively correlated with soil moisture. In contrast, Olsen P and microbial biomass P were weakly correlated with environmental conditions. The findings of this study highlight the intertwined relationship between organic P cycling and the availability of C and N in soil systems and the need to integrate both soil moisture and temperature in models predicting organic P mineralization, especially in the context of global climate change.     

Seasonal changes of microbial biomass carbon related to climatic factors in soils from karst areas of southwest China

 The seasonal responses of soil microbial biomass C to changes in atmospheric temperature, soil moisture and soluble organic C were studied in soils from the karst areas of southwest China. These soils are relatively weathered, leached and impoverished, and have a low input of plant residues. Over 1 year, an inverse relationship between soil microbial biomass C and atmospheric temperature was found. The highest microbial biomass C occurred in winter and the lowest in summer, and ranged from 231–723 μg g^–1 dry soil. Although there was no obvious relationship between microbial biomass C and soil moisture, a negative correlation existed between microbial biomass C and soluble organic C. In the ecosystem studied, the marked changes in soil microbial biomass C at above 20  °C were ascribed to fluctuations of soil moisture, which were controlled by climatic factors and geomorphic conditions. The patterns of soluble organic C turnover were similar to those of soluble carbohydrate C, both of which were controlled by soil drying-rewetting cycles. It was concluded that the lowest amounts of soil microbial biomass C, measured in the summer, resulted in increases in soluble organic C due to higher turnover rates of the former at warmer air temperatures. Thus, there was a marked seasonal change in soil microbial biomass C. Received: 1 November 1998     

Soil microbial activity along an arctic‐alpine altitudinal gradient from a seasonal perspective

The knowledge on dynamics of soil microbial activity and its correlation to climate and vegetation is still poor but essential for predicting climatic changes scenarios. Seasonal dynamics of soil microbial activity and cell counts were studied along an arctic‐alpine altitudinal gradient. The gradient comprised 12 ridges from 1000 to 1600 m altitude. Soil samples were collected during March, May, July and September 2005. The effect of temperature, snow depth and vegetation, all of which changed with altitude, on soil microbial activity and bacterial cell counts was analysed. The potential activities of phosphatase and chitinase were determined using fluorescent 4‐methylumbelliferyl labelled analogues. Total and live bacterial cell counts were determined by live‐dead‐staining. We detected marked differences in soil microbial variables along the altitudinal gradient, forming three major clusters: a low alpine belt, a middle alpine belt, and an intermediate transition zone. Our results demonstrated that more frequent occurrence of shrubs and bryophytes would also increase microbial activity. Furthermore, we detected a clear relation (R² = 0.6; P < 0.02) between high soil temperatures and greater soil microbial activity during summer. As higher temperatures are predicted to promote shrubs and higher humidity to promote bryophytes we expect microbial activity in dry heath tundra soils will increase with anticipated warmer, and in the case of Scandinavia, more humid climates. We did not find winter microbial activity to be less at snow‐free sites than at sites covered by snow up to depths of 30 cm; hence, possible future decreases in snow depth will not result in reduced winter microbial activity. We demonstrate that shrubs support winter microbial activity not only by trapping snow but also directly by increasing the amount of organic carbon.