Growth of Lumbricus terrestris and Aporrectodea caliginosa in an acid forest soil, and their effects on enchytraeid populations and soil properties

A laboratory experiment was carried out to test the hypothesis that the earthworms Lumbricus terrestris and Aporrectodea caliginosa are able to maintain their populations and reproduce in the acid forest soil of a deciduous forest where no lumbricids were found in the field. The experiment was conducted in 45-l containers in which layers of mineral subsoil, humus and organic topsoil collected from the site were established. Both species survived and at least L. terrestris reproduced during the 60 weeks’ incubation. Burrows and middens of L. terrestris were recorded and quantities of litter were consumed. The presence of lumbricids increased the organic matter content of humus, reduced the acidity of the topsoil and humus layers, and suppressed the population of the enchytraeid Cognettia sphagnetorum. A dense population of Enchytraeus albidus was found in L. terrestris middens. It is concluded that edaphic factors do not explain the absence of earthworms, but isolation from cultural landscapes and lack of opportunity to colonize the site from the surroundings is the decisive factor.     

Growth and survival of Eisenia fetida (Sav.) (Oligochaeta: Lumbricidae) in relation to temperature,moisture and presence of Enchytraeus albidus (Henle) (Enchytraeidae)

Summary The aim of this study was to investigate the environmental requirements of Eisenia fetida (Lumbricidae) and its relation to Enchytraeus albidus (Enchytraeidae). Specimens of Eisenia fetida were cultured at two different temperatures (15°C and 25°C) and moisture conditions (50% and 80%) in presence or absence of Enchytraeus albidus. Eisenia fetida grew best at the higher temperature and amount of moisture. Enchytraeus albidus impaired the growth of Eisenia fetida at the higher temperature. When Enchytraeus albidus was present, the mortality of Eisenia fetida increased.Interaction between Eisenia fetida and Enchytraeus albidus was shown, although the mechanisms remain unclear. These species, coexisting in the same habitat (compost), appear to have slightly different niches: Eisenia fetida favours warmer, moister conditions than Enchytraeus albidus.Dedicated to the late Prof.Dr. M.S. Ghilarov     

Responses of co-occurring populations of Dendrobaena octaedra (Lumbricidae) and Cognettia sphagnetorum (Enchytraeidae) to soil pH, moisture and resource addition

Dendrobaena octaedra (Lumbricidae) and Cognettia sphagnetorum (Enchytraeidae) are the two most dominating soil invertebrates in terms of biomass in boreal coniferous forest soils. A microcosm experiment was set up in order to study the influence of pH, moisture and resource addition on D. octaedra and C. sphagnetorum when both species are simultaneously present. Two kinds of coniferous forest humus were used as substrate, pine stand humus (pH 4.2), and spruce stand humus (pH 4.6); in the third treatment the pine stand humus was adjusted with slaked lime (CaOH₂) to the same initial pH as the spruce stand humus. Each substrate was adjusted to water contents of 25%, 42.5% and 60% of WHC (referred to as ‘dry’, ‘moist’ and ‘wet’). In the second part of the experiment, spruce needle litter and birch leaf litter were separately added into the pine stand humus (‘moist’, unlimed) and compared with a control without litter. The microcosms were plastic jars with 75 g (d.m.) of humus, into which 4 specimens of D. octaedra and 70 specimens of C. sphagnetorum were added. D. octaedra showed the highest biomass and C. sphagnetorum the lowest biomass in the spruce stand humus with higher pH. Moisture did not affect earthworms, while C. sphagnetorum thrived best at the highest moisture. Addition of both kinds of litter increased the numbers and biomass of D. octaedra, while on C. sphagnetorum resource addition had little effect. The results help to explain the abundance of these two species in coniferous forests differing in soil acidity, moisture and fertility.     

Effects of soil compaction and arbuscular mycorrhiza on corn (Zea mays L.) nutrient uptake

Soil compaction is of great importance, due to its adverse effects on plant growth and the environment. Mechanical methods to control soil compaction may not be economically and environmentally friendly. Hence, we designed experiments to test the hypothesis that use of plant symbiotic fungi, arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) may alleviate the stressful effects of soil compaction on corn (Zea mays L.) growth through enhancing nutrient uptake. AM continuously interact with other soil microorganisms and its original diversity may also be important in determining the ability of the fungi to cope with the stresses. Hence, the objectives were: (1) to determine the effects of soil compaction on corn nutrient uptake in unsterilized (S1) and sterilized (S2) soils, and (2) to determine if inoculation of corn with different species of AM with different origins can enhance corn nutrient uptake in a compacted soil. Using 2 kg weights, soils (from the field topsoil) of 10 kg pots were compacted at three and four levels (C1, C2, C3 and C4) (C1 = non-compacted control) in the first and second experiment, respectively. Corn (cv. 704) seeds were planted in each pot and were inoculated with different AM treatments including control (M1), Iranian Glomus mosseae (M2), Iranian G. etunicatum (M3), and Canadian G. mosseae, received from GINCO (Glomales In Vitro Collection), Canada (M4). Corn leaf nutrient uptake of N, P, K, Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu were determined. Higher levels of compaction reduced corn nutrient uptake, however different species of AM and soil sterilization significantly increased it. The highest increase in nutrient uptake was related to P (60%) and Fe (58%) due to treatment M4S2C3. Although it seems that M3 and M4 may be the most effective species on corn nutrient uptake in a compacted soil, M2 increased nutrient uptake under conditions (C3 and C4 in unsterilized soil) where the other species did not. Through increasing nutrient uptake AM can alleviate the stressful effects of soil compaction on corn growth.     

Effects of soil frost on growth, composition and respiration of the soil microbial decomposer community

Most climate change scenarios predict that the variability of weather conditions will increase in coming decades. Hence, the frequency and intensity of freeze-thaw cycles in high-latitude regions are likely to increase, with concomitant effect on soil carbon biogeochemistry and associated microbial processes. To address this issue we sampled riparian soil from a Swedish boreal forest and applied treatments with variations in four factors related to soil freezing (temperature, treatment duration, soil water content and frequency of freeze-thaw cycles), at three levels in a laboratory experiment, using a Central Composite Face-centred (CCF) experimental design. We then measured bacterial (leucine incorporation) and fungal (acetate in ergosterol incorporation) growth, basal respiration, soil microbial phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) composition, and concentration of dissolved organic carbon (DOC). Fungal growth was higher in soil exposed to freeze-thawing perturbations and freezing temperatures of −6 °C and −12 °C, than under more constant conditions (steady 0 °C). The opposite pattern was found for bacteria, resulting in an increasing fungal-to-bacterial growth ratio following more intensive winter conditions. Soil respiration increased with water content, decreased with treatment duration and appeared to mainly be driven by treatment-induced changes in the DOC concentration. There was a clear shift in the PLFA composition at 0 °C, compared with the two lower temperatures, with PLFA markers associated with fungi as well as a number of unsaturated PLFAs being relatively more common at 0 °C. Shifts in the PLFA pattern were consistent with those expected for phenotypic plasticity of the cell membrane to low temperatures. There were small declines in PLFA concentrations after freeze-thawing and with longer durations. However, the number of freeze-thaw events had no effect on the microbiological variables. The findings suggest that the higher frequency of freeze-thaw events predicted to follow the global warming will likely have a limited impact on soil microorganisms.     

凋落物输入对木荷林土壤微团聚体有机碳及其化学结合形态的影响

[目的]探究地上凋落物、地下根系和菌根输入对红壤恢复林地土壤微团聚体的影响,为退化地进行森林恢复后土壤功能重建和生态系统碳循环提供依据。[方法]以亚热带红壤侵蚀退化地恢复形成的典型阔叶林分木荷纯林为研究对象,设置无凋落物(CT)、菌根(M)、根系+菌根(RM)、地上+地下凋落物(LRM)和地上凋落物加倍(DLRM) 5种输入处理,对土壤微团聚体组成、有机碳及其化学结合形态进行分析。[结果]木荷恢复林土壤微团聚体质量百分比、有机碳、钙键结合态有机碳(Ca-SOC)、铁铝键结合态有机碳[Fe(Al)-SOC]和Ca-SOC/SOC在不同处理间均无显著差异(p>0.05);相对于CT,LRM处理使20～50μm和50～200μm粒级微团聚体Fe(Al)-SOC/SOC分别降低了40.06%和46.67%(p<0.05)。土壤微团聚体质量百分比、有机碳、Ca-SOC和Fe(Al)-SOC均随粒级的增大而减小,有机碳及结合态有机碳趋于在较小粒级的微团聚体颗粒组(<20μm)中富集。微团聚体Ca-SOC含量(0.55～1.28 g/kg)远低于Fe(Al)-SOC含量(6.88～...     

Response of soil constituents to freeze-thaw cycles in wetland soil solution

Soil freeze-thaw cycles in the winter-cold zone can substantially affect soil carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus cycling, and deserve special consideration in wetlands of cold climates. Semi-disturbed soil columns from three natural wetlands (Carex marsh, Carex marshy meadow and Calamagrostis wet grassland) and a soybean field that has been reclaimed from a wetland were exposed to seven freeze-thaw cycles. The freeze-thaw treatments were performed by incubating the soil columns at −10 °C for 1 d and at 5 °C for 7 d. The control columns were incubated at 5 °C for 8 d. After each freeze-thaw cycle, the soil solution was extracted by a solution extractor installed in each soil layer of the soil column, and was analyzed for dissolved organic carbon (DOC), NH₄⁺-N, NO₃⁻-N and total dissolved phosphorus (TDP). The results showed that freeze-thaw cycles could increase DOC, NH₄⁺-N and NO₃⁻-N concentrations in soil solutions, and decrease TDP concentrations. Moreover, the changes of DOC, NH₄⁺-N, NO₃⁻-N and TDP concentrations in soil solutions caused by freeze-thaw cycles were different in various sampling sites and soil layers. The increments of DOC concentrations caused by freeze-thaw cycles were greater in the wetland soil columns than in the soybean field soil columns. The increments of NH₄⁺-N concentrations caused by freeze-thaw cycles decreased with the increase of soil depth. The depth variation in the increments of NO₃⁻-N concentrations caused by freeze-thaw cycles in the wetland soil columns was different from that in the soybean field soil columns. The decrements of TDP concentrations caused by freeze-thaw cycles were greater in columns of Carex marsh and Carex marshy meadow than in columns of Calamagrostis wet grassland and the soybean field. The study results provide information on the timing of nutrient release related to freezing and thawing in natural versus agronomic soils, and have implications for the timing of nutrient application in farm fields in relation to water quality protection.     

紫茎泽兰和黄顶菊入侵对土壤微生物群落结构和旱稻生长的影响

为比较入侵植物与本地植物对土壤微生态影响的差异, 探索外来植物入侵的土壤微生物学机制, 本研究通过同质园试验, 比较分析了2种入侵菊科植物(紫茎泽兰、黄顶菊)和2种本地植物(马唐、猪毛菜)对土壤肥力和微生物群落的影响, 并通过盆栽反馈试验验证入侵植物改变后的土壤微生物对本地植物旱稻生长的反馈作用。同质园试验结果表明: 2种入侵植物和2种本地植物分别对土壤微生态产生了不同的影响, 尤其是紫茎泽兰显著提高了土壤有效氮、有效磷和有效钾含量,紫茎泽兰根际土壤中有效氮含量为39.80 mg·kg^-1,有效磷含量为48.52 mg·kg^-1。磷脂脂肪酸指纹图谱结果表明, 2种入侵植物与2种本地植物相比, 较显著增加了土壤中放线菌数量, 而紫茎泽兰比其他3种植物显著增加了细菌和真菌数量。盆栽结果表明: 黄顶菊生长过的土壤灭菌后比灭菌前旱稻株高增加113%, 紫茎泽兰也使旱稻的株高增加17%。由以上结果可知, 紫茎泽兰和黄顶菊可能通过改变入侵地土壤的微环境, 形成利于其自身生长扩散的微生态环境从而实现其成功入侵。     

凋落物输入改变对慈竹林土壤有机碳的影响

通过野外试验,研究了凋落物输入改变对慈竹林土壤有机碳的影响。设置10%,50%和70%这3种去除凋落物量和分别添加15%,25%的绵竹、杉木凋落物处理及对照。结果发现,去除凋落后慈竹林土壤有机碳含量明显减少(p<0.05),而且去除量越大,有机碳含量减少越大。添加外源凋落物显著提高了慈竹林土壤有机碳含量(p<0.05),其中,15%的添加比例比25%更有利于土壤有机碳的积累,添加绵竹凋落物对土壤有机碳增加的效应高于添加杉木凋落物。研究表明,选择适合的树种和恰当的混交比例以及加强对凋落物层的保护,对维持慈竹林土壤有机碳具有重要的意义。     

The combined effects of enhanced UV-B radiation and selenium on growth, chlorophyll fluorescence and ultrastructure in strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) and barley (Hordeum vulgare) treated in the field

The possible ameliorative effects of selenium (Se) addition to soil on the detrimental effects of enhanced UV-B radiation were tested on strawberry and barley during 4 months of field experiment in Kuopio, Central Finland. Control plants were exposed to ambient levels of UV radiation, using arrays of unenergized lamps. A control for UV-A radiation was also included in the experiment. Added Se, applied as H₂SeO₄, at the level of 0.1 mg kg⁻¹ soil (low dosage) and 1 mg kg⁻¹ soil (high dosage) increased Se concentrations in plants more than 10 and 100 times, respectively. After 4 months of exposure, strawberry and barley plants were harvested for biomass analysis. Chlorophyll fluorescence was measured using the Hansatech FMS2 fluorescence monitoring system. Leaf anatomy and ultrastructure were observed by light and transmission electron microscope. Several effects of UV and Se as well as their interaction were found, mostly for strawberry, but not for barley, indicating species-specific responses. Our results provided evidence that the high Se concentration in soil had no ameliorative effect but increased the sensitivity of strawberry to enhanced UV-B radiation in the field. Under ambient radiation, Se did not alter leaf growth of strawberry, whereas under UV-B radiation, the high Se addition significantly decreased leaf growth. Strawberry runner biomass was affected by the interaction of Se and UV. Under ambient radiation Se did not change dry weight of runners, but in combination with UV-A or UV-B radiation the high Se dosage decreased dry weight of runners by about 30%. Although the high Se concentration positively influenced on quantum efficiency of photosystem II (PSII) in strawberry leaves, it reduced runner biomass, leaf number and ratio of starch to chloroplast area. This suggests that the harmful effects of the high Se dosage on photosynthetic processes occurred as a result of changes in activity or/and biosynthesis of enzymes, rather than alteration of PSII. At the low concentration, Se effects were slight and variable.Although barley leaves accumulated higher Se concentrations than strawberry, there were no apparent changes in their growth, biomass or chlorophyll fluorescence due to Se effect either alone or in combination with UV-B. However, at the ultrastructural level, an enlargement in the peroxisome area was found due to combination of UV radiation with Se, suggesting the activation of antioxidative enzymes, possibly catalase. Decrease in mitochondrial density in barley cells in response to Se might be attributed to alteration of mitochondrial division. Increase in the proportion of cells with cytoplasmic lipid bodies due to combined effect of UV-B and Se indicated the alteration of lipid metabolism and the acceleration of cell senescence in barley. Main UV-B effects were found, mostly at the tissue and ultrastructural level in strawberry, but not in barley, indicating species-specific susceptibility to enhanced UV-B radiation. UV-B-treated strawberry plants developed marginally thinner leaves with reduced ratio of starch to chloroplast area in their cells, suggesting negative influence of UV-B on photosynthetic processes.     

不同氮源对三倍体毛白杨落叶分解的影响

为探索加快毛白杨落叶分解的途径, 采取室内培养的方法研究了添加铵态氮、硝态氮及混合氮对三倍体毛白杨落叶分解速度和主要营养元素释放的影响。结果表明, 添加氮源对三倍体毛白杨落叶分解有一定的促进作用, 不同氮源之间差异显著。140 d后, 施加铵态氮、混合氮和硝态氮的落叶分解率分别为46.0%、30.0%和28.8%, 而对照为27.4%, 处理间差异显著; Olson指数方程拟合结果表明,施加铵态氮、混合氮和硝态氮后落叶分解50%和95%所需时间分别为175 d、316 d、301 d和781 d、1 238 d、1 627 d,比对照分别缩短49.7%、9.2%、13.5%和52.0%、23.9%、14.1%。同时, 添加氮源后对落叶中N、P、K元素的释放影响有所不同, 其中对K元素的释放基本没有产生影响, 随着分解的进行, 不同处理落叶中K元素浓度逐渐降低。但添加氮源对N、P元素的释放产生了显著影响, 与对照相比, 添加氮源缩短了N、P释放的富集时间, 降低了富集的幅度;N、P的富集时间均从对照的21 d缩短到处理的7 d; N的富集幅度从对照为初始浓度的1.94倍降低到处理为初始浓度的1.32~1.56倍, P的富集幅度从对照为初始浓度的2.98倍降低到处理为初始浓度的1.70~2.26倍。因此添加氮源加快了落叶的分解速度,促进了落叶中N、P的释放, 有利于加快养分循环, 提高立地生产力。     

The effects of wheel-induced soil compaction on anchorage strength and resistance to root lodging of winter barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)

Lodging is the permanent displacement of cereal stems from the vertical. Cereal plants growing in the edge rows next to both wheel tracks (‘tramlines’) and the gaps between experimental plots (‘inter-plot spaces’), which are traversed by farm vehicles during planting operations and agrochemical application, are less prone to lodge than plants growing elsewhere in fields and plots. Previous research has attributed this phenomenon to an increase in the stem strength of edge row plants, and hence their resistance to stem lodging, resulting from reduced competition between edge row plants for resources. However, this explanation gives no consideration to the anchorage strength of edge row plants, and hence their resistance to root lodging. Differences in soil and plant characteristics between the edge and centre rows of plots of winter barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) were examined on sand, silt and clay dominated soil types. Edge rows next to tramlines were investigated on the silt and clay soil types, whereas edge rows next to inter-plot spaces were investigated on the sand soil type. Edge row plants next to both tramlines and inter-plot spaces had 58.8% greater anchorage strength and hence resistance to root lodging than centre row plants. This was attributed to (1) greater soil compaction in the edge rows resulting from wheel traffic in the tramlines and inter-plot spaces, which increased the strength of the soil matrix surrounding the roots, and (2) greater plant root growth in the edge rows resulting from reduced competition. Bulk density, root plate spread and structural rooting depth were 19, 22, and 12% greater, respectively, in the edge rows of all soil types. The results suggest that in order to reduce lodging risk, energies should be directed towards identifying agricultural practices that optimise soil compaction in the seedbed without causing significant limitations to root growth.     

Yield and N assimilation of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L., var. Norstar) inoculated with rhizobacteria

The effects of bacterial inoculants on the growth of winter wheat were studied in a growth chamber. Azospirillum brasilense, Azotobacter chroococcum, Bacillus polymyxa, Enterobacter cloacae, or a mixture of the four rhizobacteria were the inoculants tested. Inoculation effects on yield, yield components, and N-derived from fertilizer (Ndff) were assessed. The response of plants inoculated with individual bacteria was inconsistent and varied with treatment. At the first harvest (58 days after planting-DAP) plants inoculated with the mixture exhibited increases in plant dry weight, total-N and Ndff. At the second harvest (105 DAP), plants inoculated with A. brasilense and the mixture exhibited increases in shoot biomass, whereas at maturity (170 DAP), the inoculated plants showed no differences in total-N or shoot dry matter yield, as compared to the uninoculated controls. Inoculation with A. brasilense, however, increased the Ndff in the shoots, and B. polymyxa tended to enhance grain yield. Practical use of these rhizobacteria as inoculants for winter wheat may have limited value until such time as we better understand factors which influence rhizosphere competence of bacterial inoculants.     

Carbon and trace element fluxes in the pore water of an urban soil following greenwaste compost, woody and biochar amendments, inoculated with the earthworm Lumbricus terrestris

The benefits of adding composted organic materials to soils to enhance carbon storage could be countered by the mobilisation of some harmful pollutants commonly found in frequently degraded urban soils. Therefore non-composted materials could be a safer option. In the present study, carbon and trace element fluxes in soil pore water were studied in response to the surface mulch addition and the incorporation into an urban soil of greenwaste compost versus two non-composted amendments; a woody oversize material and biochar following inoculation with the vertical burrowing earthworm Lumbricus terrestris. The aim was to establish (i) to what extent the non-composted amendments impacted on mobility of soluble trace elements in the soil, compared to the composted amendment, and (ii) if/how this was regulated by earthworm activity.Both composted and non-composted amendments enhanced dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in soil pore water to ∼100-300 mg l⁻¹ in the upper depth of the soil profile above which they were applied as a mulch and similarly within the mesocosms in which they were mixed. Dissolved organic carbon, dissolved nitrogen (DTN) and trace metals, especially Cu and Pb, where enhanced to the greatest extent by greenwaste compost, because of strong co-mobilisation of metals by DOC. Biochar enhanced As and Cu mobility in the field profile and, additionally Pb in the mesocosms, with no effect on Cd. The woody, oversize amendment neither greatly increased DOC nor As, Cu, Pb or Zn mobility although, unlike the other amendments, earthworms increased DOC and Cd mobility when soils were amended with this material.This study concludes that non-composted amendments had a lower impact on DOC and thus trace element co-mobility than the composted greenwaste in this urban soil, whilst the general influence of earthworms was to reduce DOC and hence associated trace element mobility. In wider environmental terms the addition of non-composted materials to some urban soils, versus composted greenwaste could reduce the risk of mobilising potentially harmful elements, whilst usefully improving soil quality.     

陇东地区油松人工林碳密度及其影响因素

[目的]分析陇东地区人工林碳密度及其影响因素,为黄土丘陵区生态环境评价提供理论依据。[方法]采用样地调查与生物量实测方法,对陇东地区油松人工林碳密度进行了估算,并分析生态因素对油松人工林生态系统碳密度的影响。[结果]油松林各器官碳含量变化范围为48.58%~53.54%,各器官碳密度按从高到低的大小顺序依次为:树干树枝树根树叶树皮果实;灌木层叶、茎、根的碳含量分别为43.93%,45.62%,42.38%;草本层地上部分和地下部分碳含量为43.04%,39.77%;枯落物层未分解和半分解层碳含量为43.79%,38.83%;植被层碳密度按从高到底的大小顺序为:乔木层草本层灌木层。土壤层(0—100cm)碳含量随着土壤深度的增加而降低,且不同土壤层碳密度存在显著差异,以50—100cm碳密度最高。油松林生态系统平均碳密度为52.86t/hm2,其空间分布排序为土壤层(75.15%)植被层(24.14%)枯落物层(0.71%)。[结论]油松人工林生态因子中,林分平均树高、平均胸径、郁闭度均与各层碳密度呈现极显著正相关性,林分枯落物未分解干质量与各层碳密度呈现显著正相关性。平均树高、平均胸径、郁闭度、枯落物未分解干质量是油松人工林生态系统碳密度的主要生态因子。     

Estimates of the Enchytraeidae (Oligochaeta,Annelida) contribution to energy flow in the soil system of an acid beech wood forest

Summary The data introduced here are part of a project lasting from 1976 to 1985 in an acid beech wood forest in the northern part of the Black Forst in Southern Germany. With Enchytraeidae (Oligochaeta) as an example, attempts were made to determine the part played by the mesofauna in the soil system. Parameters such as respiration, production, and consumption were estimated using abundance and biomass data as a basis. The results show that not only the Enchytraeidae but even single species like Cognettia sphagnetorum or Mesenchytraeus glandulosus contribute a measurable amount to the energy flow of the soil ecosystem. The respiration of the whole population, for example, corresponds to 3.4% of the total energy input via leaf litter, and consumption amounts to 8.1% of the total litter including twigs. It seems that the Enchytraeidae contribute around 60% of the total soil animal respiration in this acid beech wood, and thus play an important role in soil renewal.     

Effects of the addition of forest floor extracts on soil carbon dioxide efflux

Composition and effects of additions of fibric (Oi) and hemic/sapric (Oe + Oa) layer extracts collected from a 20-year-old stand of radiata pine (Pinus radiata) on soil carbon dioxide (CO₂) evolution were investigated in a 94-day aerobic incubation. The ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy indicated that Oi layer extract contained greater concentrations of alkyl C while Oe + Oa layer extract was rich in carboxyl C. Extracts from Oi and Oe + Oa layers were added to a forest soil at two different polyphenol concentrations (43 and 85 μg g⁻¹ soil) along with tannic acid (TA) and glucose solutions to evaluate effects on soil CO₂ efflux. CO₂ evolution was greater in amended soils than control (deionized water) indicating that water-soluble organic carbon (WSOC) was readily available to microbial degradation. However, addition of WSOC extracted from both Oi and Oe + Oa layers containing 85 μg polyphenols g⁻¹ soil severely inhibited microbial activity. Soils amended with extracts containing lower concentrations of polyphenols (43 μg polyphenols g⁻¹ soil), TA solutions, and glucose solutions released 2 to 22 times more CO₂-C than added WSOC, indicating a strong positive priming effect. The differences in CO₂ evolution rates were attributed to chemical composition of the forest floor extracts.