Effect of Mixing Pine Needles Litters on Soil Biological Properties and Phosphorus Availability in Soil Amended with Fertilizers and Manures

Effect of different manures and pine needles application on soil biological properties and phosphorus availability was evaluated in sandy loam soils. Fertilizers nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK); Sesbania aculeata green manure (GM); farm yard manure (FYM); and vermicompost (VC) were applied alone or in combination with pine needles. Microbial biomass carbon, dehydrogenase, and alkaline phosphatase activity increased significantly due to manures and NPK. Pine needles reduced the microbial biomass carbon (MBC) and dehydrogenase activity in FYM and VC but increased in NPK and GM. Acid phosphatase activities were found to be significantly increased by pine needles application in NPK, FYM, VC, and GM as compared to without pine needles counterparts. No significant differences were found in soil solution phosphorus in manure treated soil due to pine needle application, but phosphorus uptake was reduced significantly in these treatments. Pine needles application clearly influenced the soil biological properties without any perceptible effect on nutrient release from the manures.     

Effect of liming on some chemical,biochemical, and microbiological properties of acid soils under spruce (Picea abies L.)

Summary Soil pH, total organic C, total N, exchangeable Al, available P, CO₂ evolution, microbial biomass C and N, phosphatase and dehydrogenase activities were determined in acid soils sampled under spruce subjected to acid deposition, before and after liming. A slight decrease in pH values was observed from the edge of a tree canopy to the base of the trunk in acid soils. Liming drastically reduced exchangeable Al and increased CO₂ evolution, microbial biomass, and the metabolic quotient. The microbial biomass C to total organic C ratio increased after liming but did not reach 2%, the average value considered valid in soils where the C content is in equilibrium, that is when C inputs are equal to C outputs. The microbial biomass C:N ratio decreased after liming, thus indicating that bacteria became predominant over fungi when soil acidity decreased. Dehydrogenase activity but not phosphatase activity was increased by liming. The decrease in phosphatase activity was not completely related to the increase in available P, but was also dependent on microbial growth and the decrease in acid phosphatase, the predominant component of acid soils.     

Growth,phosphorus uptake,and rhizosphere microbial‐community composition of a phosphorus‐efficient wheat cultivar in soils differing in pH

In a pot experiment, the P‐efficient wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivar Goldmark was grown in ten soils from South Australia covering a wide range of pH (four acidic, two neutral, and four alkaline soils) with low to moderate P availability. Phosphorus (100 mg P kg^–1) was supplied as FePO₄ to acidic soils, CaHPO₄ to alkaline, and 1:1 mixture of FePO₄ and CaHPO₄ to neutral soils. Phosphorus uptake was correlated with P availability measured by anion‐exchange resin and microbial biomass P in the rhizosphere. Growth and P uptake were best in the neutral soils, lower in the acidic, and poorest in the alkaline soils. The good growth in the neutral soils could be explained by a combination of extensive soil exploitation by the roots and high phosphatase activity in the rhizosphere, indicating microbial facilitation of organic‐P mineralization. The plant effect (soil exploitation by roots) appeared to dominate in the acidic soils. Alkaline phosphatase and diesterase activities in acidic soils were lower than in neutral soils, but strongly increased in the rhizosphere compared with the bulk soil, suggesting that microorganisms contribute to P uptake in these acidic soils. Shoot and root growth and P uptake per unit root length were lowest in the alkaline soils. Despite high alkaline phosphatase and diesterase activities in the alkaline soils, microbial biomass P was low, suggesting that the enzymes could not mineralize sufficient organic P to meet the demands of plants and microorganisms. Microbial‐community composition, assessed by fatty acid methylester (FAME) analysis, was strongly dependent on soil pH, whereas other soil properties (organic‐C or CaCO₃ content) were less important or not important at all (soil texture).     

Interactions between phosphorus availability and an AM fungus (Glomus intraradices) and their effects on soil microbial respiration, biomass and enzyme activities in a calcareous soil

The interactions between soil P availability and mycorrhizal fungi could potentially impact the activity of soil microorganisms and enzymes involved in nutrient turnover and cycling, and subsequent plant growth. However, much remains to be known of the possible interactions among phosphorus availability and mycorrhizal fungi in the rhizosphere of berseem clover (Trifolium alexandrinum L.) grown in calcareous soils deficient in available P. The primary purpose of this study was to look at the interaction between P availability and an arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus (Glomus intraradices) on the growth of berseem clover and on soil microbial activity associated with plant growth. Berseem clover was grown in P unfertilized soil (−P) and P fertilized soil (+P), inoculated (+M) and non-inoculated (−M) with the mycorrhizal fungus for 70 days under greenhouse conditions. We found an increased biomass production of shoot and root for AM fungus-inoculated berseem relative to uninoculated berseem grown at low P levels. AM fungus inoculation led to an improvement of P and N uptake. Soil respiration (SR) responded positively to P addition, but negatively to AM fungus inoculation, suggesting that P limitation may be responsible for stimulating effects on microbial activity by P fertilization. Results showed decreases in microbial respiration and biomass C in mycorrhizal treatments, implying that reduced availability of C may account for the suppressive effects of AM fungus inoculation on microbial activity. However, both AM fungus inoculation and P fertilization affected neither substrate-induced respiration (SIR) nor microbial metabolic quotients (qCO₂). So, both P and C availability may concurrently limit the microbial activity in these calcareous P-fixing soils. On the contrary, the activities of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and acid phosphatase (ACP) enzymes responded negatively to P addition, but positively to AM fungus inoculation, indicating that AM fungus may only contribute to plant P nutrition without a significant contribution from the total microbial activity in the rhizosphere. Therefore, the contrasting effects of P and AM fungus on the soil microbial activity and biomass C and enzymes may have a positive or negative feedback to C dynamics and decomposition, and subsequently to nutrient cycling in these calcareous soils. In conclusion, soil microbial activity depended on the addition of P and/or the presence of AM fungus, which could affect either P or C availability.     

Organic matter, microbial biomass and enzyme activity of soils under different crop rotations in the tropics

Soil organic matter level, soil microbial biomass C, ninhydrin-N, C mineralization, and dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphatase activity were studied in soils under different crop rotations for 6 years. Inclusion of a green manure crop of Sesbania aculeata in the rotation improved soil organic matter status and led to an increase in soil microbial biomass, soil enzyme activity and soil respiratory activity. Microbial biomass C increased from 192 mg kg^–1 soil in a pearl millet-wheat-fallow rotation to 256 mg kg^–1 soil in a pearl millet-wheat-green manure rotation. Inclusion of an oilseed crop such as sunflower or mustard led to a decrease in soil microbial biomass, C mineralization and soil enzyme activity. There was a good correlation between microbial biomass C, ninhydrin-N and dehydrogenase activity. The alkaline phosphatase activity of the soil under different crop rotations was little affected. The results indicate the green manuring improved the organic matter status of the soil and soil microbial activity vital for the nutrient turnover and long-term productivity of the soil. Received: 7 January 1996     

Einfluß verschiedener Bodeneigenschaften auf die mikrobielle Toxizität von Blei und Cadmium

Effects of different soil properties on the microbial toxicity of lead and cadmium Effects of different soil properties on the microbial toxicity of lead and cadmium were investigated in laboratory experiments on ten arable and nine preserve area soils. Microbial activity was measured by means of the dehydrogenase and the arginine-ammonification tests. The latter was not suitable to show the microbial toxicity of both metals. Effects of lead on dehydrogenase activity were mainly influenced by its concentration in soil solution (r = 0,79). Thus, all soil properties which determined the adsorption of lead correlated significantly with the relative dehydrogenase activities of the contaminated soils. The most important abiotic factors influencing the toxicity of lead were the soil pH and the CEC. Cd solubility and Cd toxicity were influenced by soil pH in a contrary way. Low Cd concentrations caused greater inhibitions of dehydrogenase activity at neutral and slightly alkaline soil reaction than under acidic conditions. Therefore, correlations between Cd concentrations of soil solutions or clay content and dehydrogenase activity were only significant if partial correlation analysis (constant pH) was used.     

Biological and chemical properties of arable soils affected by long-term organic and inorganic fertilizer applications

 Using soils from field plots in four different arable crop experiments that have received combinations of manure, lime and inorganic N, P and K for up to 20 years, the effects of these fertilizers on soil chemical properties and estimates of soil microbial community size and activity were studied. The soil pH was increased or unaffected by the addition of organic manure plus inorganic fertilizers applied in conjunction with lime, but decreased in the absence of liming. The soil C and N contents were greater for all fertilized treatments compared to the control, yet in all cases the soil samples from fertilized plots had smaller C:N ratios than soil from the unfertilized plots. The soil concentrations of all the other inorganic nutrients measured were greater following fertilizer applications compared with the unfertilized plots, and this effect was most marked for P and K in soils from plots that had received the largest amounts of these nutrients as fertilizers. Both biomass C determined by chloroform fumigation and glucose-induced respiration tended to increase as a result of manure and inorganic fertilizer applications, although soils which received the largest additions of inorganic fertilizers in the absence of lime contained less biomass C than those to which lime had been added. Dehydrogenase activity was lower in soils that had received the largest amounts of fertilizers, and was further decreased in the absence of lime. This suggests that dehydrogenase activity was highly sensitive to the inhibitory effects associated with large fertilizer additions. Potential denitrification and anaerobic respiration determined in one soil were increased by fertilizer application but, as with both the microbial biomass and dehydrogenase activity, there were significant reductions in both N₂O and CO₂ production in soils which received the largest additions of inorganic fertilizers in the absence of lime. In contrast, the size of the denitrifying component of the soil microbial community, as indicated by denitrifying enzyme activity, was unaffected by the absence of lime at the largest rate of inorganic fertilizer applications. The results indicated differences in the composition or function of microbial communities in the soils in response to long-term organic and inorganic fertilization, especially when the soils were not limited. Received: 10 March 1998     

Comparison of Rhizosphere Impacts of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Genotypes Differing in Phosphorus Efficiency on Acidic and Alkaline Soils

A glasshouse study was conducted to compare the rhizosphere characteristics of two wheat genotypes, Xiaoyan54 (XY54) and Jing411 (J411) on two soils. The results showed that supplying phosphorus (P) increased the biomass and P content of two wheat lines significantly on alkaline soil, but P fertilization altered their biomass and P content on acidic soil only slightly. XY54 decreased rhizosphere pH more significantly than J411 on Fluvo-aquic soil without P addition, but similar acidity ability was shown when P applied. On red soil, two wheat genotypes showed similar rhizosphere pH. Two wheat lines showed similar rhizoshphere phosphatase activity on alkaline soil, whereas XY54 demonstrated greater rhizoshphere phosphatase activity than J411 on acidic soil. Rhizoshphere phosphatase activities of two wheat lines on acidic soil were greater than alkaline soil. Therefore, stronger acidity on alkaline soil and greater phosphatase activity on acidic soil are principal rhizosphere mechanisms for XY54 to adapt to low-P soils.     

土地利用和轮作方式对旱地红壤生化性质的影响

研究不同土地利用和轮作方式对旱地红壤肥力的影响对提高红壤质量具有十分重要的指导意义。本研究以湖南省桃源县的林地、大豆-油菜轮作、玉米-休闲轮作土壤为研究对象,明确了林地、农地土壤及农地不同轮作方式对土壤化学和生物性质的影响。结果表明,林地土壤的pH、有机碳、速效养分、微生物生物量碳及酶活性(纤维素酶、酸性磷酸酶、转化酶、蛋白酶)均显著高于农地土壤;大豆-油菜轮作土壤的pH、养分含量、微生物生物量碳含量及其微生物熵在大多数情况下高于玉米-休闲轮作,但轮作处理对各酶活性的影响并不完全一致。这种不一致性可能与不同酶对由不同利用和轮作方式导致的土壤性质差异的敏感性不同所致。土壤有机碳和pH与各生物指标均呈显著正相关关系,表明提高该地区的土壤有机碳含量对于维持土壤的生化性质具有重要的作用。     

Influence of stock camping behaviour on the soil microbiological and biochemical properties of grazed pastoral soils

 The size and activity of the soil microbial biomass in grazed pastures was compared on the main grazing area and on stock camp areas where animals congregate. Two sites were on hill country and three on gently sloping border-dyke irrigated land. Due to the transfer of nutrients and organic matter to the camp areas via dung and urine there was an accumulation of soil organic C, organic and inorganic P and S and soluble salts in the camp areas. Soil pH also tended to be higher in camp areas due to transfer of alkalinity by the grazing animals. Water soluble organic C, microbial biomass C and basal respiration were all higher in soils from camp areas but the proportion of organic C present as microbial C and the microbial respiratory quotient were unaffected. Microbial activity as quantified by arginine ammonification rate and fluorescein diacetate (FDA) hydrolysis was higher in camp than non-camp soils but dehydrogenase activity remained unaffected. Activities of protease, histidase, urease, acid phosphatase and aryl-sulphatase were all higher in stock camp soils. The activities of both histidase and aryl-sulphatase were also higher when expressed per unit of microbial biomass C, indicating that the increased activity was the result of increased enzyme production by the microbial community. Prolonged regular applications of dairy shed effluent (diluted dung and urine from cattle) to a field had a similar effect to stock camping in increasing soil organic matter content, nutrient accumulation and soil biological activity. It was concluded that the stock camping activity of grazing animals results in an increase in both the fertility and biological activity in soils from camp areas at the expense of these properties on the main grazing areas. Received: 20 October 1997     

添加木醋液对沙地土壤微生物生物量和酶活性的影响

[目的]探讨沙地添加木醋液后土壤微生物生物量和酶活性的变化,为沙地土壤生物学质量的改良提供理论依据。[方法]采用盆栽植草培养法,以添加自来水为对照,对沙地添加不同稀释倍数(200,150,100,50,20)木醋液后的土壤可溶性有机碳、氮和酚,土壤微生物生物量碳氮以及土壤酶活性进行研究。[结果]向沙土添加木醋液可以显著降低土壤pH值,显著提高土壤易氧化碳、土壤水溶性碳氮、土壤可溶性酚以及无机氮的含量。在添加木醋液稀释高于50倍范围内,随木醋液稀释倍数降低,土壤微生物生物量碳氮增加以及β-糖苷酶、碱性磷酸酶和脱氢酶活性提高。添加稀释20倍的木醋液,导致土壤微生物生物量碳氮以及β-糖苷酶、碱性磷酸酶和脱氢酶活性有所降低。在高于20的稀释倍数范围内,随着施用木醋液稀释倍数的降低,α-糖苷酶、亮氨酸氨基肽酶、酸性磷酸酶和酚氧化酶的活性有显著增加的趋势。[结论]添加不同稀释倍数的木醋液会影响沙地土壤微生物生物量和酶活性。     

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.     

Microbial biomass phosphorus and its significance in predicting phosphorus availability in red soils

Abstract

Red soils are widespread in Southern China and other subtropical regions in the world. An improved management of phosphorus (P) is crucial for sustainable agriculture and environmental quality in red soil regions. Plant‐availability of P in red soils mainly depends on fertilization and biological cycling. Both laboratory analyses and greenhouse experiments were conducted to examine the relationships between plant P uptake, chemical index of P, and microbial biomass P in red soils with different fertility levels. Microbial biomass P ranged from 2.1 to 43 mg kg^‐1 in the red soils and was significantly correlated with total P (r=0.84*), organic P (r=0.87*), or Bray I extractable P (r=0.94**). Extractable P plus organic carbon accounted for >85% of the variation in microbial biomass P in the red soils. The significant relationship between microbial biomass P and extractable P suggests that microbial biomass P has a great potential in predicting P‐supply ability in soil. Greenhouse experiments showed that there were close relationships between ryegrass dry matter yield, plant P uptake or tissue P concentration and microbial biomass P in the red soils. The corresponding correlation coefficients were 0.79*, 0.90*, and 0.91*, respectively. These results imply that microbial biomass P plays an important role in the availability of P to plants, and is a potential biological index of P availability in the red soils.     

低磷环境下接种丛枝菌根真菌促进紫花苜蓿生长和磷素吸收的机理

  【目的】  磷极易被土壤吸附和固定,导致土壤中磷有效性较低。研究接种丛枝菌根真菌 (arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, AMF) 和低磷处理两者交互对紫花苜蓿生长和磷吸收的影响,为提高碱性土壤中磷肥利用率提供理论依据。  【方法】  以黄绵土和紫花苜蓿 (Medicago sativa) 为试验材料进行盆栽试验。在施磷0、5、20 mg/kg (P0、P5、P20) 3个水平下,分别设接种和不接种丛枝菌根 Glomus mosseae BGC YN02 (+AMF、–AMF) 处理。植物生长120天后测定植株生物量、磷吸收量、AMF侵染率以及根际和非根际土壤的pH、土壤碱性磷酸酶活性、土壤有效磷含量、土壤微生物生物量磷,分析根际有机酸的组成与含量。  【结果】  +AMF处理中植物根系被AMF侵染,且施磷水平对侵染率没有显著影响;施磷和+AMF处理显著提高了植株地上部、地下部生物量以及磷含量,其中P20+AMF处理生物量和磷含量最高;根际有机酸总量随施磷水平上升而显著降低,但+AMF处理有机酸总量高于–AMF处理,其中柠檬酸和乙酸含量的变化较为明显;施磷和+AMF显著降低土壤碱性磷酸酶活性,增加土壤有效磷含量和微生物生物量磷,且低磷环境 (P0、P5) 下根际土壤碱性磷酸酶活性和微生物生物量磷均显著高于非根际土;P20处理显著降低磷利用效率和磷肥利用率,+AMF处理显著提高磷肥利用率。  【结论】  碱性土壤 (黄绵土) 中,AMF和紫花苜蓿根系能建立较好的共生关系,低施磷水平 (施磷量 ≤ 20 mg/kg) 对AMF侵染率没有显著影响。施磷和接种AMF均可以显著促进紫花苜蓿生长和磷吸收。低磷环境下,接种AMF可以扩大植物根系吸收范围,同时增强根际土壤碱性磷酸酶活性,促进根系分泌有机酸,特别是乙酸和柠檬酸,从而提高磷肥利用率。     

The impact of a low humus level in arable soils on microbial properties, soil organic matter quality and crop yield

 In arable soils in Schleswig-Holstein (Northwest Germany) nearly 30% of the total organic C (TOC) stored in former times in the soil has been mineralized in the last 20 years. Microbial biomass, enzyme activities and the soil organic matter (SOM) composition were investigated in order to elucidate if a low TOC level affects microbial parameters, SOM quality and crop yield. Microbial biomass C (C_mic) and enzyme activities decreased in soils with a low TOC level compared to soils with a typical TOC level. The decrease in the C_mic/TOC ratio suggested low-level, steady-state microbial activity. The SOM quality changed with respect to an enrichment of initial litter compounds in the top soil layers with a low TOC level. Recent management of the soils had not maintained a desirable level of humic compounds. However, we found no significant decrease in crop yield. We suggest that microbial biomass and dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphatase activities are not necessarily indicators of soil fertility in soils with a high fertilization level without forage production and manure application. Received: 12 December 1997     

沙漠腹地咸水滴灌林地土壤养分、微生物量和酶活性的典型相关关系

鉴于塔里木沙漠公路防护林所处环境条件和管理模式的特殊性及在南疆社会、经济发展中的重要性,试验选择四种不同矿化度(2.58、5.75、8.90、13.99 g L-1)水滴灌的防护林地,采集0~5 cm、5~15cm、15~30 cm、30~50 cm四层土样为研究材料,主要采用典型相关分析法,对防护林地土壤养分因子、微生物量因子和酶活性因子中每两组变量间的相关性进行了分析。结果表明:三组变量土壤养分、微生物量、酶活性中,每两者之间均有显著的典型相关变量存在,而且基本能够代表变量总体相关信息;土壤养分与土壤微生物量的相关性主要由养分中的全氮、速效氮、有机质、全磷含量和土壤微生物量中的放线菌数量、微生物量碳和微生物量磷引起的;土壤养分与土壤酶活性的相关性主要由土壤有机碳、速效钾含量与土壤过氧化氢酶、磷酸酶活性的相关性引起;土壤微生物量与土壤酶活性的相关性主要由土壤微生物量磷、微生物量氮与土壤蔗糖酶、磷酸酶活性的相关性引起;滴灌水矿化度对塔里木沙漠公路防护林地土壤养分和微生物量的效应明显,高矿化度水不利于土壤养分积累和微生物生存。     

Effect of long-term fertiliser use on acid and alkaline phosphomonoesterase and phosphodiesterase activities in managed grassland

Soil phosphatase activities play an important role in the mineralisation of soil phosphorus (P). In this study acid and alkaline phosphomonoesterase and phosphodiesterase activities of soils under long-term fertiliser management (ca. 100 years) were measured to determine the effects of fertiliser inputs on the cycling and availability of P. Enzyme activities were compared with microbial biomass P, determined by fumigation-extraction, and with extractable P using NH₄F-HCl. Experimental plots were divided into three groups: those receiving farm-yard manure (FYM), those receiving mineral P and those receiving no P amendment. Plots receiving FYM had the highest extractable P values and the greatest enzyme activities. There was no obvious relationship between extractable P and microbial biomass P except in those plots where no P was added (r²=0.778), emphasising the importance of fertiliser management in P dynamics in soils. Acid phosphomonoesterase activity was high in all plots, including those where microbial biomass P levels were low. This supports the findings of previous studies suggesting that acid phosphomonoesterase activity in soils is primarily of root origin. All phosphatase enzyme activities were significantly correlated with extractable P in plots receiving mineral P. This relationship was negative for acid phosphomonoesterase activity (r²=-0.947), suggesting that acid phosphomonoesterase activity is suppressed by extractable P in managed grasslands receiving mineral P fertilisers.     

Microbial biomass in agricultural topsoils after 6 years of bare fallow

Inherent soil properties have an influence on microbial activity. These effects were measured in a field trial at Weihenstephan with 30 agricultural and 2 vineyard soils from different sites in Bavaria which had been kept under bare fallow for 6 years. The soils represented a wide range of arable soils from a temperate climate. Unaffected by recent differences in climatic conditions or cropping managements, they were used to assess the relationship between microbial biomass C and a broad spectrum of soil physical and chemical properties (clay content 5–63%, pH 4.5–7.5, organic C 0.55–2.93%). Microbial C was measured using the substrate-induced respiration method. In addition, soil catalase activity and the abundance and biomass of earthworms were determined. Among the soil properties, microbial C was most strongly correlated with organic C (r=0.86, n=29). In a comparison of linear regressions between microbial biomass C and organic C for different cropping managements, the slope under bare fallow was lowest, followed by monoculture and crop rotation. The microbial: organic C ratio ranged from 1.1 to 4.3% and was significantly correlated with soil pH (r=0.66). A positive relationship between microbial C and the clay content (r=0.66) was significantly improved when soils with more than 25% clay were excluded (r=0.80). Partial correlation analysis indicated that clay had a direct influence, hardly affected by an intercorrelation with organic C. Catalase activity was highly correlated with microbial C (r=0.95) and, because a rapid and sensitive method of determination is available, was considered suitable for estimating relative amounts of active microbial biomass. A positive relationship between microbial C and the abundance of earthworms indicated interactions between microorganisms and mesofauna.     

Soil microbial biomass and fluorescein diacetate hydrolytic activity in Japanese acidic tea field soils

The soil microbial biomass (SME) content and fluorescein diacetate (FDA) hydrolytic activity in 21 acidic tea field soils in Japan were determined. SM 3 content in the tea field soils was quantitatively similar to that in 13 arable soils with neutral soil pH previously reported. However, the ratio of the SMB content to organic matter content in the tea field soils classified as red-yellow soil, brown forest soil, and lithosol was clearly lower than that in the neutral arable soils classified as non-volcanic ash soil. FDA hydrolytic activity in the tea field soils was higher than the activity in various soils with neutral soil pH and showed a negative relationship with the soil pH.     

Factors Affecting Microbial Biomass and Dehydrogenasc Activity in Apple Orchard Soils with Heavy Metal Accumulation

The size of the microbial biomass and dehydrogenase activity were measured in air-dried and rewetted apple orchard surface soils with accumulation of Cu, Pb, and As due to the application of Bordeaux mixtures and lead arsenate. The largest amounts of total Cu, Pb, and As found in the soils used were 1,108, 1,271, and 209 mg kg^-1 soil, respectively. The amounts of 0.1 M HCl-extractable heavy metals were strongly correlated with the total amounts, while those of 0.1 M CaCl₂-extractable heavy metals, except for As, increased significantly with decreasing soil pH. The amounts of microbial biomass C and N, expressed on a soil organic C and total N basis, respectively, were each negatively correlated with the amounts of total and 0.1 M HCl-extractable Cu. On the other hand, the dehydrogenase activity was not affected by the amounts of total and 0.1 M HCl-extractable heavy metals, and was negatively correlated with the amount of 0.1 M CaCl₂-extractable Cu and positively with the soil pH. Higher significant correlations were observed when the dehydrogenase activity was calculated per unit of soil organic C. Thus the microbial biomass was adversely affected by the slightly soluble fractions of Cu accumulated in apple orchard soils, whereas the dehydrogenase activity was affected by the water-soluble and exchangeable Cu of which amount depended on the soil pH. It is suggested that the microbial biomass and dehydrogenase activity expressed on a soil organic matter basis could become useful indicators for assessing the effects of heavy metals on the size and activity of the microbial biomass in soils differing in organic matter contents.