Continuous defoliation of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) and white clover (Trifolium repens) and associated changes in the composition and activity of the microbial population of an upland grassland soil

A microcosm study was conducted to investigate the effect of continuons plant defoliation on the composition and activity of microbial populations in the rhizosphere of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) and white clover (Trifolium repens). Continuons defoliation of ryegrass and clover resulted in sigmficant (P <0.01) increases in soil microbial biomass, although whilst increases were measured from day 2 in soil sown with clover significant increases were only seen from day 21 in soil sown with ryegrass. These increases were paralleled, from day 10 onwards, by increases in the numbers of culturable bacteria. Numbers ofPsendomonas spp. also increased in the later stages of the study. No influence on culturable fungal populations was detected. Whilst shifts in the composition of the microbial populations were measured in response to defoliation there was little effect on microbial activity. No changes in either dehydrogenase activity or microbial respiration in the rhizosphere of ryegrass or clover were measured in response to defoliation, but both dehydrogenase activity and microbial respiration were greater in ryegrass than clover when values over the whole study were combined. Continuous defoliation resulted in significant (P <0.001) reductions in the root dry weight of ryegrass and clover, of the order 19% and 16%, respectively.     

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.     

Relationship between root length density and soil microorganisms in the rhizospheres of white clover and perennial ryegrass

Abstract

Microbial parameters of rhizosphere soil, such as bacterial numbers or microbial activities, depend on the distance that microbes have to the root surface. In this study we show that the number of bacteria found in rhizosphere soil from white clover is highly correlated with root length density of the rhizosphere soil. In contrast, bacterial numbers, microbial activity (measured as fluorescein diacetate hydrolytic activity), and the amount of extractable carbon (C) in the rhizosphere of perennial ryegrass were independent of the amount of soil recovered from the roots. The missing rhizosphere effect in perennial ryegrass soils can be explained by the high rooting density of ryegrass, whereas the low rooting density of white clover results in gradients of microbial numbers and activities in soils. Results of these studies indicate that it is important to express microbial parameters on root length and soil weight bases, especially for less densely rooted soils.     

Effects of chitin amendment of soil on microorganisms,nematodes, and growth of white clover (Trifolium repens L.) and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.)

Effects of soil amendment with crabshell chitin on the growth of white clover (Trifolium repens L.) and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), and on populations of soil bacteria, fungi, and plant-parasitic and free-living nematodes were investigated in a pot trial. Five soil samples were collected from Te Puke (Paengaroa Shallow Sand, a Typic Hapludand) and five from Hamilton (Bruntwood silt loam, an Aquic Hapludand), New Zealand. Subsamples of each soil were either amended with chitin or unamended and planted with white clover and ryegrass. The ryegrass shoot weight in amended soil was greater (P<0.01), most probably due to N mineralised from chitin. A significantly lower (P<0.01) root: shoot ratio of ryegrass in the amended soil also suggested improved N availability, and therefore less root mass was needed to support a given shoot mass. A reduction in nodulation was observed in 12-day-old white clover seedlings (P<0.05) and also in 6-week-old seedlings (P<0.01). The shoot weight of white clover was significantly lower (P<0.05) in amended soil, possibly due to phytotoxic effects of chitin. Chitin increased (P<0.01) the populations of bacteria and fungi by 13-fold and 2.5-fold, respectively. The cyst nematode of white clover, Heterodera trifolii, was significantly reduced in chitin-amended soil, possibly due to increased levels of chitinase produced by rhizosphere microorganisms. Two other plant-parasitic nematodes, Pratylenchus spp. and Tylenchus spp., were also reduced in ryegrass roots and in soil as a result of the chitin amendment. However, the total number of free-living nematodes increased 5.4-fold in amended soil.     

Determination of the impact of continuous defoliation of Lolium perenne and Trifolium repens on bacterial and fungal community structure in rhizosphere soil

To determine the effects of defoliation on microbial community structure, rhizosphere soil samples were taken pre-, and post-defoliation from the root tip and mature root regions of Trifolium repens L. and Lolium perenne L. Microbial DNA isolated from samples was used to generate polymerase chain reaction–denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis molecular profiles of bacterial and fungal communities. Bacterial plate counts were also obtained. Neither plant species nor defoliation affected the bacterial and fungal community structures in both the root tip and mature root regions, but there were significant differences in the bacterial and fungal community profiles between the two root regions for each plant. Prior to defoliation, there was no difference between plants for bacterial plate counts of soils from the root tip regions; however, counts were greater in the mature root region of L. perenne than T. repens. Bacterial plate counts for T. repens were higher in the root tip than the mature root region. After defoliation, there was no effect of plant type, position along the root or defoliation status on bacterial plate counts, although there were significant increases in bacterial plate counts with time. The results indicate that a general effect existed during maturation in the root regions of each plant, which had a greater impact on microbial community structure than either plant type or the effect of defoliation. In addition there were no generic consequences with regard to microbial populations in the rhizosphere as a response to plant defoliation.     

Soil organic matter,microbial properties,and aggregate stability under annual and perennial pastures

The use of annually sown pastures to provide winter forage is common in dairy farming in many regions of the world. Loss of organic matter and soil structural stability due to annual tillage under this management may be contributing to soil degradation. The comparative effects of annual ryegrass pastures (conventionally tilled and resown each year), permanent kikuyu pastures and undisturbed native vegetation on soil organic matter content, microbial size and activity, and aggregate stability were investigated on commercial dairy farms in the Tsitsikamma region of the Eastern Cape, South Africa. In comparison with soils under sparse, native grassy vegetation, those under both annual ryegrass and permanent kikuyu pasture had higher soil organic matter content on the very sandy soils of the eastern end of the region. By contrast, in the higher rainfall, western side, where the native vegetation was coastal forest, there was a loss of organic matter under both types of pasture. Nonetheless, soil organic C, K₂SO₄-extractable C, microbial biomass C, basal respiration, arginine ammonification and fluorescein diacetate hydrolysis rates and aggregate stability were less under annual than permanent pastures at all the sites. These results reflect the degrading effect of annual tillage on soil organic matter and the positive effect of grazed permanent pasture on soil microbial activity and aggregation. Soil organic C, microbial biomass C, K₂SO₄-extractable C, basal respiration and aggregate stability were significantly correlated with each other. The metabolic quotient and percentage of organic C present as microbial biomass C were generally poorly correlated with other measured properties but negatively correlated with one another. It was concluded that annual pasture involving conventional tillage results in a substantial loss of soil organic matter, soil microbial activity and soil physical condition under dairy pastures and that a system that avoids tillage needs to be developed.     

The influence of slug (Arion rufus) mucus and cast material addition on microbial biomass,respiration, and nutrient cycling in beech leaf litter

We investigated the effects of slug (Arion rufus L.) mucus and cast material on litter decomposition, nutrient mobilization, and microbial activity in two laboratory experiments: (1) Slug mucus and cast material was added to beech leaf litter (Fagus sylvatica L.), and leaching of N and P and CO₂ production in microcosm systems were measured during 77 days of incubation; (2) mucus was added to beech leaf litter, and basal respiration, microbial biomass (substrate-induced respiration), specific respiration (qO₂), microbial growth ability after C, CN, CP, and CNP amendment, and lag time (time between CNP addition and start of exponential increase in respiration rate) were measured during 120 days of incubation. Leaching of N and P from beech leaf litter was significantly increased in treatments with mucus or faecal material of A. rufus. Following day 3, slug mucus increased nitrification processes. Mucus addition to beech leaf litter also increased basal respiration and microbial biomass significantly. In contrast, specific respiration was not significantly affected by mucus addition, and generally declined until day 60 but then increased until day 120. Nutrient amendments indicated that between days 1 and 30, N was available for microbial growth in litter with mucus but not in control litter. Generally, the lag time in beech leaf litter with added mucus was shorter than in control litter. Lag times generally increased with age, indicating dominance of slow-growing microbial populations at later stages as a consequence of depletion of easily available C resources and nutrients. We conclude that C, N, and P cycling is accelerated by slug activity.     

Effects of plant species on microbial biomass phosphorus and phosphatase activity in a range of grassland soils

Soil P transformations are primarily mediated by plant root and soil microbial activity. A short-term (40 weeks) glasshouse experiment with 15 grassland soils collected from around New Zealand was conducted to examine the impacts of ryegrass (Lolium perenne) and radiata pine (Pinus radiata) on soil microbial properties and microbiological processes involved in P dynamics. Results showed that the effect of plant species on soil microbial parameters varied greatly with soil type. Concentrations of microbial biomass C and soil respiration were significantly greater in six out of 15 soils under radiata pine compared with ryegrass, while there were no significant effects of plant species on these parameters in the remaining soils. However, microbial biomass P (MBP) was significantly lower in six soils under radiata pine, while there were no significant effects of plant species on MBP in the remaining soils. The latter indicated that P was released from the microbial biomass in response to greater P demand by radiata pine. Levels of water soluble organic C were significantly greater in most soils under radiata pine, compared with ryegrass, which suggested that greater root exudation might have occurred under radiata pine. Activities of acid and alkaline phosphatase and phosphodiesterase were generally lower in most soils under radiata pine, compared with ryegrass. The findings of this study indicate that root exudation plays an important role in increased soil microbial activities, solubility of organic P and mineralization of organic P in soils under radiata pine.     

The short-term effects of cessation of fertiliser applications,liming, and grazing on microbial biomass and activity in a reseeded upland grassland soil

A field study was conducted to determine the influence of a short-term (2 year) cessation of fertiliser applications, liming, and sheep-grazing on microbial biomass and activity in a reseeded upland grassland soil. The cessation of fertiliser applications (N and NPK) on a limed and grazed grassland had no effect on microbial biomass measurements, enzyme activities, or respiration. Withholding fertiliser and lime from a grazed grassland resulted in significant reductions in both microbial biomass C (P<0.05) and dehydrogenase activity (P<0.05) by approximately 18 and 21%, respectively. The removal of fertiliser applications, liming, and grazing resulted in even greater reductions in microbial biomass C (44%, P<0.001) and dehydrogenase activity (31%, P<0.001), and significant reductions in microbial biomass N (P<0.005), urease activity (P<0.05), phosphatase activity (P<0.001), and basal respiration (P<0.05). The abundance of culturable bacteria and fungi and the soil ATP content were unaffected by changes in grassland managements. With the cessation of liming soil pH fell from 5.4 to 4.7, and the removal of grazing resulted in a further reduction to pH 4.5. A significant negative linear relationship (r ²=0.97; P<0.01) was found between increasing soil acidity and dehydrogenase activity. Possible mechanisms influencing these changes are discussed.     

Influence of introduced potential biocontrol agents on maize seedling growth and bacterial community structure in the rhizosphere

Two species of Pseudomonas chromosomally tagged with gfp, which had shown antagonistic activity against the tomato pathogen Ralstonia solanacearum in a previous study, were assessed for their impact in the rhizosphere of maize. Plant growth characteristics, numbers of indigenous heterotrophic bacteria, changes in the bacterial community structure according to the r/K strategy concept, and shifts in MIDI-FAME profiles of culturable bacterial fractions as well as total rhizosphere microbial communities were determined in relation to seed and soil treatment with the exogenous pseudomonads. The maize rhizosphere proved to be a suitable habitat for the introduced P. chlororaphis IDV1 and P. putida RA2, which showed good survival after introduction. However, both inoculants showed a small growth-reducing effect towards maize, which might have been caused by the high densities of inoculants used (i.e. competition for nutrients and action of metabolites produced) and/or changes in microbial community structure (both culturable bacterial fraction and the total microflora). Probably, an altered balance among the indigenous maize rhizosphere populations occurred. Thus, the culturable bacteria, as well as the total microflora in the rhizosphere, changed in response to the introduced pseudomonads, and their development was dependent on the growth stage of the plant. The FAME analyses showed that these microbial communities comprised different populations, and were separated according to, first, the method used (direct versus cultivation-based), second, sampling time, and, finally, inoculation level.     

Microbial biomass and activity in pine litter in the presence of Tomocerus minor (Insecta,Collembola)

Summary Laboratory microcosms were used to study microbial populations and biomasses developing in fragmented litter of Pinus nigra Arnold var. nigra (A. et G.). Direct observations (fungal standing crop and fluorescein-stainable mycelia), litter enzyme analyses (cellulase and dehydrogenase), and measurements by physiological methods (microbial CO₂ production and total microbial, fungal, and bacterial viable biomasses) were made at 3-week intervals for 15 weeks. Most variables showed great changes during this period, which were ascribed to a rise in litter moisture content during the initial phase of the experiment, and to substrate depletion towards its final phase. The addition of the collembolan Tomocerus minor (Lubbock) for 1 week enhanced cellulase activities by 4%. When the animals were introduced after 6 weeks, the fungal standing crop was enhanced, and the percentage of fluorescein-stainable mycelia was reduced. Dehydrogenase activity was increased by grazing when the microbial population had been established for 9 weeks or longer. Eucaryotic and procaryotic substrate-induced respiration were positively correlated, which was explained by partial segregation of resources for the two groups. Litter cellulase and dehydrogenase activity showed correlations by other techniques, indicating their suitability as parameters for microbial activity in general, and for the collembolan grazing impact on microbial activity in particular.     

外源放线菌对谷子生长和成熟期根际可培养微生物的影响

为研究外源放线菌对谷子生长及成熟期根际可培养微生物的影响，本研究通过盆栽和田间试验分析施加放线菌微白黄链霉菌（Streptomyces albidoflavus，T4）和密旋链霉菌（Streptomyces pactum，Act12）后成熟期谷子生物量、产量形成指标及根际可培养微生物结构组成的差异，并对谷子生长与根际微生物之间相互关系进行分析。结果表明，①T4促进了盆栽和田间试验中谷子生物量的增加，而T4和Act12也使田间试验中单株谷子籽粒干重和产量增加了13.7%～22.6%。②对于根际微生物，T4处理使培养箱盆栽试验中谷子根际可培养细菌（B）、真菌（F）、放线菌（A）及微生物总数量增加了29.5%～56.9%。T4和Act12使室外盆栽试验中根际真菌数量分别提高了73.3%和222.0%，A/F和B/F降低了34.7%～72.4%。③相关分析表明，成熟期谷子茎叶干重、单株谷子籽粒干重与根际B、F、A和总微生物数量显著正相关（r = 0.748～0.971，P < 0.01），而与A/F和B/F显著负相关（r = -0.764 ～ -0.906，P < 0.01）。综上，供试放线菌通过调整根际可培养微生物群落结构促进了谷子生长，增加了谷子产量。因此，通过外源施加放线菌优化根际可培养微生物群落结构是谷子促生增产的可行途径之一。     

根际土壤微生物量氮周转率的研究

用15N示踪法研究了不同植物对根际及非根际微生物量氮周转率的影响。结果表明 ,不同植物对微生物量氮周转率的影响不同。栽种豆科植物三叶草由于其根系分泌物中的含氮有机物含量较高 ,所以土壤中微生物量氮的周转率快于栽种黑麦草。两种植物根际土壤的微生物量氮的周转率都快于非根际土壤 ,与土壤蛋白酶活性的研究结果一致     

Influence of microorganisms on Cu speciation in the rhizosphere of forest soils

Our study is one of the first attempts to document the copper (Cu) speciation in the rhizosphere of forest soils and to determine the importance and the influence of the microbial community on Cu speciation. In order to do this, bulk and rhizosphere samples were collected from field sites located close to industrial facilities. The rhizosphere materials were sampled under trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) and separated from the bulk soils in the field. A characterization of the microbial populations was made by measuring microbial biomass C and N, urease and dehydrogenase activities. In soil water extracts, chemical properties were also measured, as well as total water-soluble Cu concentration (Cu_WS) and free-ion Cu activity (Cu²⁺). The residual Cu speciation was obtained by modelling, using MINEQL+ 4.5. In all cases, the Cu speciation was dominated by organic forms of Cu, the proportion of which increases with increasing pH. The reverse pH effect was observed for Cu²⁺. Moreover, almost systematically higher concentrations for all Cu variables were reported in the rhizosphere as compared to the bulk soils. The results also showed that microbial variables explained 22% of the distribution of Cu_WS and Cu²⁺ in bulk samples, a proportion that reached 61.5% in rhizospheric samples. In the rhizosphere, relationships between pH, microbial biomass N and Cu²⁺ indicated that microorganisms influenced Cu by modifying the pH of the solution through nitrogen assimilation. Furthermore, links found between urease activity, biomass variables, solid- and liquid-phase organic carbon and Cu_WS suggested that microbial mineralization could partly supply Cu to the solution fraction of the rhizosphere through root decay. This study reveals that microorganisms have a strong influence on Cu speciation in the rhizosphere of forest soils and suggests that a realistic understanding and representation of Cu dynamic in the rhizosphere must take microbial activity into account. Further investigations are needed to identify and establish precisely how microbial processes impact on Cu speciation.     

Growth of the collembolan Folsomia candida Willem in soil supplemented with glucose

Freely available glucose improves the conditions for soil microorganisms which are utilized as food by Collembola. We examined the effects of glucose application on collembolan (Folsomia candida Willem) growth and on several biotic and abiotic soil parameters (microbial biomass, soil respiration, qCO₂, dissolved organic carbon, inorganic nitrogen, and Olson-P) in an artificial system without predatory pressure on Collembola. Glucose addition increased soil respiration and qCO₂, and decreased nutrient levels in the soil. Collembolan growth increased with increasing glucose doses. We conclude that the availability of carbon substrates can sustain collembolan growth via an improvement of microbial growth conditions.     

菊芋根系分泌物改良滨海盐土的微生物机制

[目的] 探究菊芋在滨海盐土改良过程中的作用机制,分析菊芋和碱蓬根系分泌物的组分差异,明确土壤微生态环境的变化规律,进一步为盐土改良提供理论依据。[方法] 以种植菊芋和自然碱蓬植被为样地,对菊芋和碱蓬的根系分泌物进行对比分析,研究在根系分泌物作用下土壤微生物数量,微生物量碳氮,微生物群落结构以及土壤酶活性的变化,从而系统地阐明根系分泌物介导下盐土改良的微生物机制。[结果] 菊芋根际土壤中含有果糖（2.343×10^-3 g/kg）、葡萄糖（4.235×10^-3 g/kg）、蔗糖（2.670×10^-3 g/kg）,分别是碱蓬根际土壤的9.28,1.52和2.43倍。而菊芋根际与非根际中的果糖含量存在显著性差异（p<0.05）,其根际中含量为非根际的12.02倍。菊芋土壤还含有低聚果糖（蔗果三糖、蔗果四糖和蔗果五糖）,而碱蓬土壤中未检测出低聚果糖。除糖类外,菊芋根系分泌物还含有烷烃、酚、醛、酯、有机酸、醇、酮、酰胺,其组分较碱蓬土壤更为复杂且某些组分为菊芋特有〔1-氯—十八烷、正十六烷酸、2-甲基-Z-4-十四碳烯、十二酮、（Z）-9-十八碳酰胺、苯丙酸十六烷基酯等〕。功能性根系分泌物（如低聚果糖、果糖、十六烷、十八烷酸等）为根际微生物提供碳源、氮源和营养元素的同时,使菊芋根际土壤中微生物数量显著增加（p<0.05）,土壤微生物量碳、氮显著高于碱蓬土壤（p<0.05）,其值分别是碱蓬土壤的1.95和1.6倍,且菊芋根际的微生物量碳、氮约为非根际的1.69和1.50倍,优势菌群（变形菌门、放线菌门、绿弯菌门、酸杆菌门）所占比重达到90%,土壤有益菌群（Actinobacteria和Acidobacteria）的相对丰度显著增加（p<0.05）,土壤生物活性提升。此外,菊芋根际特有的分泌物（十六烷、烯醛等）,抑制了病原菌的生长,优化了微生物群落结构。除过氧化氢酶外,土壤脲酶、蔗糖酶和碱性磷酸活性显著提高（p<0.05）,其活性分别是碱蓬土壤的1.83,1.88和3.30倍。[结论] 种植菊芋后,通过根际分泌物介导,改善土壤微生物群落结构与功能,增加土壤酶活性,使土壤生物活力得以整体提升,与原生植被碱蓬相比,降低了土壤含盐量,起到了改良盐土的作用。     

Influence of soil properties on microbial populations, activity and biomass in humid subtropical mountainous ecosystems of India

 Microbial populations, biomass, soil respiration and enzyme activities were determined in slightly acid organic soils of major mountainous humid subtropical terrestrial ecosystems, along a soil fertility gradient, in order to evaluate the influence of soil properties on microbial populations, activity and biomass and to understand the dynamics of the microbial biomass in degraded ecosystems and mature forest. Although the population of fungi was highest in the undisturbed forest (Sacred Grove), soil respiration was lowest in the 7-year-old regrowth and in natural grassland (approximately 373 μg g^–1 h^–1). Dehydrogenase and urease activities were high in "jhum" fallow, and among the forest stands they were highest in the 7-year-old regrowth. Microbial biomass C (MBC) depended mainly on the organic C status of the soil. The MBC values were generally higher in mature forest than in natural grassland, 1-year-old jhum fallow and the 4-year-old alder plantation. The MBC values obtained by the chloroform-fumigation-incubation technique (330–1656 μg g^–1) did not vary significantly from those obtained by the chloroform-fumigation-extraction technique (408–1684 μg g^–1), however, the values correlated positively (P<0.001). The enzyme activities, soil respiration, bacterial and fungal populations and microbial biomass was greatly influenced by several soil properties, particularly the levels of nutrients. The soil nutrient status, microbial populations, soil respiration and dehydrogenase activity were greater in Sacred Grove, while urease activity was greater in grassland. Received: 14 October 1998     

The influence of mineral and organic fertilisers on the growth of the endogeic earthworm Octolasion tyrtaeum (Savigny)

Endogeic earthworms play an important role in mobilisation and stabilisation of carbon and nitrogen in forest and arable soils. Soil organic matter is the major food resource for endogeic earthworms, but little is known about the size and origin of the organic matter pool on which the earthworms actually live. We measured changes in body mass of juvenile endogeic earthworms, Octolasion tyrtaeum (Savigny), in soils with different C and N contents resulting from different fertiliser treatments. The soil was taken from a long-term experiment (Statischer Düngungsversuch, Bad Lauchstädt, Germany). The treatments included (1) non-fertilised soil, (2) NPK fertilised soil, (3) farmyard manure fertilised soil and (4) NPK + farmyard manure fertilised soil. The soil was incubated in microcosms with and without one juvenile O. tyrtaeum for 80 days.Earthworm biomass decreased in non-fertilised soil by 48.6%, in NPK soil by 9.4%, but increased in farmyard manure soil by 19.7% and 42.8% (soil with additional NPK application). In farmyard manure treatments the biomass of bigger individuals decreased, but in smaller individuals it increased. In NPK fertilised soil without farmyard manure only small O. tyrtaeum increased in body mass, whereas in the non-fertilised soil all individuals decreased in body mass. Generally, soil respiration correlated positively with soil carbon content. Earthworms significantly increased soil respiration and nitrogen leaching and this was most pronounced in farmyard manure treatments. Microbial activity was generally higher in farmyard manure soil indicating that farmyard manure increases labile organic matter pools in soil. Also, biomass of earthworms and microorganisms was increased in farmyard manure soil. The presence of earthworms reduced microbial biomass, suggesting that earthworms feed on microorganisms or/and that earthworms and soil microorganisms competed for similar organic matter pools in soil. The results demonstrate that NPK fertilisation only is insufficient to sustain O. tyrtaeum, whereas long-term fertilisation with farmyard manure enables survival of endogeic species due to an increased pool of utilisable soil organic matter in arable soil.     

Distribution and fate of 13C-labeled root and straw residues from ryegrass and crimson clover in soil under western Oregon field conditions

Annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) and crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum L.) were pulse-labeled with ¹³C-CO₂ in the field between the initiation of late winter growth (mid-February) and through flowering and seed formation (late May). Straw was harvested after seed maturation (July), and soil containing ¹³C-labeled roots and root-derived C was left in the field until September. ¹³C-enriched and ¹³C-unenriched straw residues of each species were mixed in factorial combinations with soil containing either ¹³C-enriched or ¹³C-unenriched root-derived C and incubated in the field for 10 months. The contributions of C derived from straw, roots, and soil were measured in soil microbial biomass C, respired C, and soil C on five occasions after residue incorporation (September, October, November, April, and June). At straw incorporation (September), 25–30% of soil microbial biomass C was derived from root C in both ryegrass and clover treatments, and this value was sustained in the ryegrass treatment from September to April but declined in the clover treatment. By October, between 20 and 30% of soil microbial biomass C was derived from straw, with the percentage contribution from clover straw generally exceeding that from ryegrass straw throughout the incubation. By June, ryegrass root-derived C contributed 5.5% of the soil C pool, which was significantly greater than the contributions from any of the three other residue types (about 1.5%). This work has provided a framework for more studies of finer scale that should focus on the interactions between residue quality, soil organic matter C, and specific members of the soil microbial community.     

Carbon allocation to roots,rhizodeposits and soil after pulse labelling: a comparison of white clover (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Trifolium repens</Emphasis> L.) and perennial ryegrass (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Lolium perenne</Emphasis> L.)

Organically managed farm areas in Denmark are expanding and typically contain clover-grass leys that are known to stimulate accumulation of organic matter in arable soils. We compared the C allocation to roots and soil from clover and grass, and determined for how long assimilated C remained mobile in these plant-soil systems. Pots with perennial ryegrass, white clover or a mixture of both were pulse-labelled with ¹⁴CO₂, and harvested for analyses after 4, 11, 20, and 30 days. ¹⁴C losses by shoot respiration stopped within 4 days and after this incubation time the input of assimilated ¹⁴C to below-ground compartments was greater in grass (52%) than in clover (36%). During the next 4 weeks, ¹⁴C allocation below ground increased in grass (up to 75% at day 30), but remained constant in clover (37% at day 30). In the grass/clover mixture, the below-ground fraction increased to 50% at day 30. In clover, ¹⁴C was incorporated sooner into stable plant and soil pools and less was released in rhizodeposition than in grass. This was confirmed by the ¹⁴C in the soil microbial biomass that decreased fastest in the clover treatment. Root-derived C compounds of clover probably decomposed faster than those from grass. The larger size and specific activity of the soil microbial biomass in the mixed treatment suggested a stimulating effect of the two plant species on substrate utilisation by the microbial community. This study showed that a 2- to 3-week distribution period is needed before sampling for quantitative estimates of C allocation.