Soil microbial biomass and activity: the effect of site characteristics in humid temperate forest ecosystems

Microbial biomass, respiratory activity, and in‐situ substrate decomposition were studied in soils from humid temperate forest ecosystems in SW Germany. The sites cover a wide range of abiotic soil and climatic properties. Microbial biomass and respiration were related to both soil dry mass in individual horizons and to the soil volume in the top 25 cm. Soil microbial properties covered the following ranges: soil microbial biomass: 20 µg C g^–1–8.3 mg C g^–1 and 14–249 g C m^–2, respectively; microbial C–to–total organic C ratio: 0.1%–3.6%; soil respiration: 109–963 mg CO₂‐C m^–2 h^–1; metabolic quotient (qCO₂): 1.4–14.7 mg C (g C_mic)^–1 h^–1; daily in‐situ substrate decomposition rate: 0.17%–2.3%. The main abiotic properties affecting concentrations of microbial biomass differed between forest‐floor/organic horizons and mineral horizons. Whereas microbial biomass decreased with increasing soil moisture and altitude in the forest‐floor/organic horizons, it increased with increasing N_tot content and pH value in the mineral horizons. Quantities of microbial biomass in forest soils appear to be mainly controlled by the quality of the soil organic matter (SOM), i.e., by its C : N ratio, the quantity of N_tot, the soil pH, and also showed an optimum relationship with increasing soil moisture conditions. The ratio of C_mic to C_org was a good indicator of SOM quality. The quality of the SOM (C : N ratio) and soil pH appear to be crucial for the incorporation of C into microbial tissue. The data and functional relations between microbial and abiotic variables from this study provide the basis for a valuation scheme for the function of soils to serve as a habitat for microorganisms.     

Methods for evaluating human impact on soil microorganisms based on their activity,biomass, and diversity in agricultural soils

The present review is focused on microbiological methods used in agricultural soils accustomed to human disturbance. Recent developments in soil biology are analyzed with the aim of highlighting gaps in knowledge, unsolved research questions, and controversial results. Activity rates (basal respiration, N mineralization) and biomass are used as overall indices for assessing microbial functions in soil and can be supplemented by biomass ratios (C : N, C : P, and C : S) and eco‐physiological ratios (soil organic C : microbial‐biomass C, qCO₂, qN_min). The community structure can be characterized by functional groups of the soil microbial biomass such as fungi and bacteria, Gram‐negative and Gram‐positive bacteria, or by biotic diversity. Methodological aspects of soil microbial indices are assessed, such as sampling, pretreatment of samples, and conversion factors of data into biomass values. Microbial‐biomass C (µg (g soil)^–1) can be estimated by multiplying total PLFA (nmol (g soil)^–1) by the F_PLFA‐factor of 5.8 and DNA (µg (g soil)^–1) by the F_DNA‐factor of 6.0. In addition, the turnover of the soil microbial biomass is appreciated as a key process for maintaining nutrient cycles in soil. Examples are briefly presented that show the direction of human impact on soil microorganisms by the methods evaluated. These examples are taken from research on organic farming, reduced tillage, de‐intensification of land‐use management, degradation of peatland, slurry application, salinization, heavy‐metal contamination, lignite deposition, pesticide application, antibiotics, TNT, and genetically modified plants.     

Microbial biomass and activity in salt affected soils under arid conditions

The effects of salinity on the size, activity and community structure of soil microorganisms in salt affected arid soils were investigated in Shuangta region of west central Anxi County, Gansu Province, China. Eleven soils were selected which had an electrical conductivity (EC) gradient of 0.32–23.05 mS cm⁻¹. There was a significant negative exponential relationship between EC and microbial biomass C, the percentage of soil organic C present as microbial biomass C, microbial biomass N, microbial biomass N to total N ratio, basal soil respiration, fluorescein diacetate (FDA) hydrolysis rate, arginine ammonification rate and potentially mineralizable N. The exponential relationships with EC demonstrate the highly detrimental effect that soil salinity had on the microbial community. In contrast, the metabolic quotient (qCO₂) was positively correlated with EC, and a quadratic relationship between qCO₂ and EC was observed. There was an inverse relationship between qCO₂ and microbial biomass C. These results indicate that higher salinity resulted in a smaller, more stressed microbial community which was less metabolically efficient. The biomass C to biomass N ratio tended to be lower in soils with higher salinity, reflecting the bacterial dominance in microbial biomass in saline soils. Consequently, our data suggest that salinity is a stressful environment for soil microorganisms.     

Effect of N addition,moisture, and temperature on soil microbial respiration and microbial biomass in forest soil at different stages of litter decomposition

Purpose

The objective of the present study was to investigate the interactive effects of nitrogen (N) addition, temperature, and moisture on soil microbial respiration, microbial biomass, and metabolic quotient (qCO₂) at different decomposition stages of different tree leaf litters.

Materials and methods

A laboratory incubation experiment with and without litter addition was conducted for 80 days at two temperatures (15 and 25 °C), two wetting intensities (35 and 50 % water-filled porosity space (WFPS)) and two doses of N addition (0 and 4.5 g N m^?2, as NH₄NO₃). The tree leaf litters included three types of broadleaf litters, a needle litter, and a mixed litter of them. Soil microbial respiration, microbial biomass, and qCO₂ along with other soil properties were measured at two decomposition stages of tree leaf litters.

Results and discussion

The increase in soil cumulative carbon dioxide (CO₂) flux and microbial biomass during the incubation depended on types of tree leaf litters, N addition, and hydrothermal conditions. Soil microbial biomass carbon (C) and N and qCO₂ were significantly greater in all litter-amended than in non-amended soils. However, the difference in the qCO₂ became smaller during the late period of incubation, especially at 25 °C. The interactive effect of temperature with soil moisture and N addition was significant for affecting the cumulative litter-derived CO₂-C flux at the early and late stages of litter decomposition. Furthermore, the interactive effect of soil moisture and N addition was significant for affecting the cumulative CO₂ flux at the late stage of litter decomposition but not early in the experiment.

Conclusions

This present study indicated that the effects of addition of N and hydrothermal conditions on soil microbial respiration, qCO₂, and concentrations of labile C and N depended on types of tree leaf litters and the development of litter decomposition. The results highlight the importance of N availability and hydrothermal conditions in interactively regulating soil microbial respiration and microbial C utilization during litter decomposition under forest ecosystems.

     

Long‐term effects of leguminous cover crops on microbial indices and their relationships in soils of a coconut plantation of a humid tropical region

In this study, leguminous crops like Atylosia scarabaeoides, Centrosema pubescens, Calopogonium mucunoides, and Pueraria phaseoloides. grown as soil cover individually in the interspaces of a 19‐yr‐old coconut plantation in S. Andaman (India) were assessed for their influence on various microbial indices (microbial biomass C, biomass N, basal respiration, ergosterol, levels of ATP, AMP, ADP) in soils (0–50 cm) collected from these plots after 10 years. The effects of these cover crops on . CO₂ (metabolic quotient), adenylate energy charge (AEC), and the ratios of various soil microbial properties viz., biomass C : soil organic C, biomass C : N, biomass N : total N, ergosterol : biomass C, and ATP : biomass C were also examined. Cover cropping markedly enhanced the levels of organic matter and microbial activity in soils after the 10‐yr‐period. Microbial biomass C and N, basal respiration, . CO₂, ergosterol and levels of ATP, AMP, ADP in the cover‐cropped plots significantly exceeded the corresponding values in the control plot. While the biomass C : N ratio tended to decrease, the ratios of biomass N : total N, ergosterol : biomass C, and ATP : biomass C increased significantly due to cover cropping. Greater ergosterol : biomass C ratio in the cover‐cropped plots indicated a decomposition pathway dominated by fungi, and high . CO₂ levels in these plots indicated a decrease in substrate use efficiency probably due to the dominance of fungi. The AEC levels ranged from 0.80 to 0.83 in the cover‐cropped plots, thereby reflecting greater microbial proliferation and activity. The ratios of various microbial and chemical properties could be assigned to three different factors by principal components analysis. The first factor (PC1) with strong loadings of ATP : biomass C ratio, AEC, and . CO₂ reflected the specific metabolic activity of soil microbes. The ratios of ergosterol : biomass C, soil organic C : total N, and biomass N : total N formed the second factor (PC2) indicating a decomposition pathway dominated by fungi. The biomass C : N and biomass C : soil organic C ratios formed the third principal component (PC3), reflecting soil organic matter availability in relation to nutrient availability. Overall, the study suggested that Pueraria phaseoloides. or Atylosia scarabaeoides were better suited as cover crops for the humid tropics due to their positive contribution to soil organic C, N, and microbial activity.     

Three‐source partitioning of CO2 efflux from maize field soil by 13C natural abundance

A natural‐¹³C‐labeling approach—formerly observed under controlled conditions—was tested in the field to partition total soil CO₂ efflux into root respiration, rhizomicrobial respiration, and soil organic matter (SOM) decomposition. Different results were expected in the field due to different climate, site, and microbial properties in contrast to the laboratory. Within this isotopic method, maize was planted on soil with C₃‐vegetation history and the total CO₂ efflux from soil was subdivided by isotopic mass balance. The C₄‐derived C in soil microbial biomass was also determined. Additionally, in a root‐exclusion approach, root‐ and SOM‐derived CO₂ were determined by the total CO₂ effluxes from maize (Zea mays L.) and bare‐fallow plots. In both approaches, maize‐derived CO₂ contributed 22% to 35% to the total CO₂ efflux during the growth period, which was comparable to other field studies. In our laboratory study, this CO₂ fraction was tripled due to different climate, soil, and sampling conditions. In the natural‐¹³C‐labeling approach, rhizomicrobial respiration was low compared to other studies, which was related to a low amount of C₄‐derived microbial biomass. At the end of the growth period, however, 64% root respiration and 36% rhizomicrobial respiration in relation to total root‐derived CO₂ were calculated when considering high isotopic fractionations between SOM, microbial biomass, and CO₂. This relationship was closer to the 50% : 50% partitioning described in the literature than without fractionation (23% root respiration, 77% rhizomicrobial respiration). Fractionation processes of ¹³C must be taken into account when calculating CO₂ partitioning in soil. Both methods—natural ¹³C labeling and root exclusion—showed the same partitioning results when ¹³C isotopic fractionation during microbial respiration was considered and may therefore be used to separate plant‐ and SOM‐derived CO₂ sources.     

Effect of temperature on soil microbial biomass and its metabolic quotient in situ under different tillage systems

Variations in the microbial biomass and the in situ metabolic quotient (qCO₂) due to climatic conditions were determined in a typical soil from the Argentine Rolling Pampa. Microbial C was evaluated by fumigation-incubation and qCO₂ was calculated using soil respiration in the field. An inverse relationship between microbial C and soil temperature was fitted to a model (r ²=0.90, P=0.01). No significant association with the soil water content was detected because the soil was generally near field capacity and thus water availability did not limited microbial growth and activity. Values of qCO₂ increased (r ²=0.89, P=0.01) as the result of metabolic activatìon, likely induced by a higher maintenance energy requirement at high temperatures. The highest values of qCO₂ were obtained when microbial C was the lowest, which was attributed to self consumption of microbial C in the presence of high temperatures. Consequently, microbial C was generally higher (P=0.05) in winter than in summer. Therefore, when microbial C is used as an index of soil biological activity, the influence of temperature should be taken into account.     

Rhizodeposition: Its contribution to microbial growth and carbon and nitrogen turnover within the rhizosphere

A greenhouse rhizobox experiment was carried out to investigate the fate and turnover of ¹³C‐ and ¹⁵N‐labeled rhizodeposits within a rhizosphere gradient from 0–8 mm distance to the roots of wheat. Rhizosphere soil layers from 0–1, 1–2, 2–3, 3–4, 4–6, and 6–8 mm distance to separated roots were investigated in an incubation experiment (42 d, 15°C) for changes in total C and N and that derived from rhizodeposition in total soil, in soil microbial biomass, and in the 0.05 M K₂SO₄–extractable soil fraction. CO₂‐C respiration in total and that derived from rhizodeposition were measured from the incubated rhizosphere soil samples. Rhizodeposition C was detected in rhizosphere soil up to 4–6 mm distance from the separated roots. Rhizodeposition N was only detected in the rhizosphere soils up to 3–4 mm distance from the roots. Microbial biomass C and N was increased with increasing proximity to the separated roots. Beside ¹³C and ¹⁵N derived from rhizodeposits, unlabeled soil C and N (native SOM) were incorporated into the growing microbial biomass towards the roots, indicating a distinct acceleration of soil organic matter (SOM) decomposition and N immobilization into the growing microbial biomass, even under the competition of plant growth. During the soil incubation, microbial biomass C and N decreased in all samples. Any decrease in microbial biomass C and N in the incubated rhizosphere soil layers is attributed mainly to a decrease of unlabeled (native) C and N, whereas the main portion of previously incorporated rhizodeposition C and N during the plant growth period remained immobilized in the microbial biomass during the incubation. Mineralization of native SOM C and N was enhanced within the entire investigated rhizosphere gradient. The results indicate complex interactions between substrate input derived from rhizodeposition, microbial growth, and accelerated C and N turnover, including the decomposition of native SOM (i.e., rhizosphere priming effects) at a high spatial resolution from the roots.     

Microbial respiration and biomass (substrate-induced respiration) in soils of old-growth and regenerating forests on northern Vancouver Island,British Columbia

In studying the basal respiration, microbial biomass (substrate-induced respiration, SIR), and metabolic quotient (qCO₂) in western red cedar (Thuja plicata Donn ex D. Don)-western hemlock [(Tsuga heterophylla Raf.) Sarg.] ecosystems (old-growth forests, 3- and 10-year-old plantations) on northern Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada, we predicted that (1) soil basal respiration would be reduced by harvesting and burning, reflecting the reduction in microbial biomass and activities; (2) the microbial biomass would be reduced by harvesting and slash-burning, due to the excessive heat of the burning or due to reduced substrate availability; (3) microbial biomass in the plantations would tend to recover to the preharvesting levels with growth of the trees and increased substrate availability; and (4) microbial biomass measured by the SIR method would compare well with that measured by the fumigation-extraction (FE) method. Decaying litter layer (F), woody F (Fw) and humus layer (H) materials were sampled four times in the summer of 1992. The results obtained supported the four predictions. Microbial biomass was reduced in the harvested and slash-burned plots. Both SIR and FE methods provided equally good estimates of microbial biomass in the samples [SIR microbial C (mg g^-1)=0.227+0.458 FE microbial C (mg g^-1), r=0.63, P=0.0001] and proved suitable for microbial biomass measurements in this strongly acidic soil. Basal respiration was significantly greater in the old-growth forests than in the young plantations (P<0.05) in both F and H layers, but not in the Fw layer. For the 3- and 10-year-old plantations, there was no difference in basal respiration in F, Fw, and H layers. Basal respiration was related to changes in air temperature, precipitation, and the soil moisture contant at the time of sampling. The qCO₂ values were higher in the old-growth stands than in the plantations. Clear-cutting followed by prescribed burning did not increase soil microbial respiration, but CO₂ released from slash-burning and that contributed from other sources may be of concern to increasing atmospheric CO₂ concentrations.     

Root and rhizomicrobial respiration: A review of approaches to estimate respiration by autotrophic and heterotrophic organisms in soil

Partitioning the root‐derived CO₂ efflux from soil (frequently termed rhizosphere respiration) into actual root respiration (RR, respiration by autotrophs) and rhizomicrobial respiration (RMR, respiration by heterotrophs) is crucial in determining the carbon (C) and energy balance of plants and soils. It is also essential in quantifying C sources for rhizosphere microorganisms and in estimation of the C contributing to turnover of soil organic matter (SOM), as well as in linking net ecosystem production (NEP) and net ecosystem exchange (NEE). Artificial‐environment studies such as hydroponics or sterile soils yield unrealistic C‐partitioning values and are unsuitable for predicting C flows under natural conditions. To date, several methods have been suggested to separate RR and RMR in nonsterile soils: 1) component integration, 2) substrate‐induced respiration, 3) respiration by excised roots, 4) comparison of root‐derived ¹⁴CO₂ with rhizomicrobial ¹⁴CO₂ after continuous labeling, 5) isotope dilution, 6) model‐rhizodeposition technique, 7) modeling of ¹⁴CO₂ efflux dynamics, 8) exudate elution, and 9) δ¹³C of CO₂ and microbial biomass. This review describes the basic principles and assumptions of these methods and compares the results obtained in the original papers and in studies designed to compare the methods. The component‐integration method leads to strong disturbance and non‐proportional increase of CO₂ efflux from different sources. Four of the methods (5 to 8) are based on the pulse labeling of shoots in a ¹⁴CO₂ atmosphere and subsequent monitoring of ¹⁴CO₂ efflux from the soil. The model‐rhizodeposition technique and exudate‐elution procedure strongly overestimate RR and underestimate RMR. Despite alternative assumptions, isotope dilution and modeling of ¹⁴CO₂‐efflux dynamics yield similar results. In crops and grasses (wheat, ryegrass, barley, buckwheat, maize, meadow fescue, prairie grasses), RR amounts on average to 48±5% and RMR to 52±5% of root‐derived CO₂. The method based on the ¹³C isotopic signature of CO₂ and microbial biomass is the most promising approach, especially when the plants are continuously labeled in ¹³CO₂ or ¹⁴CO₂ atmosphere. The “difference” methods, i.e., trenching, tree girdling, root‐exclusion techniques, etc., are not suitable for separating the respiration by autotrophic and heterotrophic organisms because the difference methods neglect the importance of microbial respiration of rhizodeposits.     

SOIL MICROBIAL BIOMASS AND NITROGEN MINERALIZATION RATES ALONG AN ALTITUDINAL GRADIENT ON THE COFRE DE PEROTE VOLCANO (MEXICO): THE IMPORTANCE OF LANDSCAPE POSITION AND LAND USE

A study was conducted to examine the responses of microbial activity and nitrogen (N) transformations along an altitudinal gradient. The gradient was divided into three parts. Three areas were sampled: upper part (UP): coniferous forest, corn field, and abandoned corn field; middle part (MP): tropical cloud forest, grassland, and corn field (COL); and lower part (LP): tropical deciduous forest and sugarcane. The results showed that soil microbial biomass carbon (C) and basal respiration were significantly higher in MP and UP than in LP, whereas the microbial quotient (C_mic/C_org) was higher in LP and MP than in UP. The metabolic quotient (qCO₂) was similar among gradient parts evaluated. Net N mineralization, ammonification, and nitrification rates were higher in UP than MP and LP. We found that in UP, the forest conversion to cropland resulted in no significant differences in microbial activity and N transformation rates between land uses. In MP, microbial biomass C, ammonification, and net N mineralization rates decreased significantly with conversion to cropland, but C_mic/C_org and nitrification were higher in COL. Basal respiration and qCO₂ were significantly lower in COL when compared with other land uses. In LP, lower microbial biomass C, C_mic/C_org, and nitrification rates but higher ammonification and net N mineralization rates were observed in tropical deciduous forest than in sugarcane. No significant differences in basal respiration and qCO₂ were found between uses of LP. Clearly, then, soil organic C is not equally accessible to the microbial community along the gradient studied. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Responses of microbial biomass and respiration of soil to topography,burning, and nitrogen fertilization in a temperate steppe

Temporal dynamics of microbial biomass and respiration of soil and their responses to topography, burning, N fertilization, and their interactions were determined in a temperate steppe in northern China. Soil microbial indices showed strong temporal variability over the growing season. Soil microbial biomass C (MBC) and N (MBN) were 14.8 and 11.5% greater in the lower than upper slope, respectively. However, the percentage of organic C present as MBC and the percentage of total N present as MBN were 16.9 and 26.2% higher in the upper than lower slope, respectively. Neither microbial respiration (MR) nor metabolic quotient (qCO₂) was affected by topography. Both MBC and MBN were increased by burning, on average, by 29.8 and 14.2% over the growing season, and MR and qCO₂ tended to reduce depending on the sampling date, especially in August. Burning stimulated the percentage of organic C present as MBC and the percentage of total N present as MBN in the upper slope, but did not change these two parameters in the lower slope. No effects of N fertilization on soil microbial indices were observed in the first growing season after the treatment. Further research is needed to study the long-term relationships between changes in soil microbial diversity and activity and plant community in response to burning and N fertilization.     

Effect of cattle slurry in grassland on microbial biomass and on activities of various enzymes

We examined the long-term effects of cattle slurry, applied at high rates, on microbial biomass, respiration, the microbial quotient (qCO₂) and various soil enzyme activities. In March, June, July, and October 1991, slurry-amended grassland soils (0–10 cm) contained significantly higher levels of microbial biomass, N mineralization and enzyme activities involved in N, P, and C cycling. With microbial biomass as the relative value, the results revealed that the slurry treatment influenced enzyme production by the microbial biomass. High levels of urease activity were the result not only of a larger microbial biomass, but also of higher levels of enzmye production by this microbial biomass. The ratio of alkaline phosphatase and xylanase to microbial biomass was nearly constant in the different treatments. The metabolic quotient (qCO₂) declined with increased levels of slurry application. Therefore it appears that microorganisms in slurry-amended soils require less C and energy if there is no competition for nutrients. The results of this study suggest that urease activity, nitrification, and respiration (metabolic quotient) can be used as indicators of environmental stress, produced by heavy applications of cattle slurry.     

Soil microbial activity and crop sustainability in a long-term experiment with three soil-tillage and two crop-rotation systems

Reduction in soil disturbance can stimulate soil microbial biomass and improve its metabolic efficiency, resulting in better soil quality, which in turn, can increase crop productivity. In this study we evaluated microbial biomass of C (MB-C) by the fumigation-extraction (FE) or fumigation-incubation (FI) method; microbial biomass of N (MB-N); basal respiration (BR) induced or not with sucrose; metabolic quotient (obtained by the ratio BR/MB-C) induced (qCO₂(S)), or not with sucrose (qCO₂); and crop productivity in a 14-year experiment in the state of Paraná, southern Brazil. The experiment consisted of three soil-tillage systems [no-tillage (NT), conventional tillage (CT) and no-tillage using a field cultivator every 3 years (FC)] and two cropping systems [a soybean–wheat-crop sequence (CS), and a soybean–wheat–white lupin–maize–black oat–radish crop rotation (CR)]. There were six samplings in the 14th year, starting at the end of the winter crop (wheat in the CS and lupin in the CR plots) and finishing at full flowering of the summer crop (soybean in the CS and maize in the CR). Differences in microbiological parameters were greater than those detected in the total C (TCS) and total N (TNS) contents of the soil organic matter (SOM). Major differences were attributed to tillage, and on average NT was higher than the CT in the following parameters: TCS (19%), TNS (21%), MB-C evaluated by FE (74%) and FI (107%), and MB-N (142%). The sensibility of the microbial community and processes to soil disturbance in the tropics was highlighted, as even a moderate soil disturbance every 3 years (FC) affected microbial parameters but not SOM. The BR was the parameter that most promptly responded to soil disturbance, and strong differences were perceived by the ratio of qCO₂ evaluated with samples induced and non-induced with sucrose. At plowing, the qCO₂(S):qCO₂ was five times higher under CT, indicating a C-starving low-effective microbial population in the C-usage. In general, crop rotation had no effect on microbial parameters or SOM. Grain yield was affected by tillage and N was identified as a limiting nutrient. Linear regressions between grain yields and microbial parameters showed that soybean was benefited from improvements in the microbial biomass and metabolic efficiency, but with no significant effects observed for the maize crop. The results also indicate that the turnover of C and N in microbial communities in tropical soils is rapid, reinforcing the need to minimize soil disturbance and to balance inputs of N and C.     

Stem labeling results in different patterns of 14C rhizorespiration and 15N distribution in plants compared to natural assimilation pathways

To investigate C and N rhizodeposition, plants can be ¹³C‐¹⁵N double‐labeled with glucose and urea using a stem‐feeding method (wick method). However, it is unclear how the ¹³C applied as glucose is released into the soil as rhizorespiration in comparison with the ¹³C applied as CO₂ using a natural uptake pathway. In the present study, we therefore compared the short‐term fate of ¹⁴C and ¹⁵N in white lupine and pea plants applied either by the wick method or the natural pathways of C and N assimilation. Plants were pulse‐labeled in ¹⁴CO₂‐enriched atmosphere and ¹⁵N urea was applied to the roots (atmosphere–soil) following the natural assimilation pathways, or plants were simultaneously labeled with ¹⁴C and ¹⁵N by applying a ¹⁴C glucose–¹⁵N urea solution into the stem using the wick method. Plant development, soil microbial biomass, total rhizorespiration, and distribution of N in plants were not affected by the labeling method used but by plant species. However, the ¹⁵N : N ratio in plant parts was significantly (p < 0.05) affected by the labeling method, indicating more homogeneous ¹⁵N enrichment of plants labeled via root uptake. After ¹⁴CO₂ atmosphere labeling of plants, the cumulated ¹⁴CO₂ release from roots and soil showed the common saturation dynamics. In contrast, after ¹⁴C‐glucose labeling by the wick method, the cumulated ¹⁴CO₂ release increased linearly. These results show that ¹⁴C applied as glucose using the wick method is not rapidly transferred to the roots as compared to a short‐term ¹⁴CO₂ pulse. This is partly due to a slower ¹⁴C uptake and partly due to slow distribution within the plant. Consequently, ¹⁴C‐glucose application by the wick method is no pulse‐labeling approach. However, the advantages of the wick method for ¹³C‐¹⁵N double labeling for estimating rhizodeposition especially under field conditions requires further methodological research.     

Soil microbial biomass, activity and nitrogen transformations in a turfgrass chronosequence

Understanding the chronological changes in soil microbial properties of turfgrass ecosystems is important from both the ecological and management perspectives. We examined soil microbial biomass, activity and N transformations in a chronosequence of turfgrass systems (i.e. 1, 6, 23 and 95 yr golf courses) and assessed soil microbial properties in turfgrass systems against those in adjacent native pines. We observed age-associated changes in soil microbial biomass, CO₂ respiration, net and gross N mineralization, and nitrification potential. Changes were more evident in soil samples collected from 0 to 5 cm than the 5 to 15 cm soil depth. While microbial biomass, activity and N transformations per unit soil weight were similar between the youngest turfgrass system and the adjacent native pines, microbial biomass C and N were approximately six times greater in the oldest turfgrass system compared to the adjacent native pines. Potential C and N mineralization also increased with turfgrass age and were three to four times greater in the oldest vs. the youngest turfgrass system. However, microbial biomass and potential mineralization per unit soil C or N decreased with turfgrass age. These reductions were accompanied by increases in microbial C and N use efficiency, as indicated by the significant reduction in microbial C quotient (qCO₂) and N quotient (qN) in older turfgrass systems. Independent of turfgrass age, microbial biomass N turnover was rapid, averaging approximately 3 weeks. Similarly, net N mineralization was ∼12% of gross mineralization regardless of turfgrass age. Our results indicate that soil microbial properties are not negatively affected by long-term management practices in turfgrass systems. A tight coupling between N mineralization and immobilization could be sustained in mature turfgrass systems due to its increased microbial C and N use efficiency.     

Application of eco-physiological quotients (qCO2 and qD) on microbial biomasses from soils of different cropping histories

Metabolic quotients for CO₂C (qCO₂C) and microbial-C-loss (qD) were studied on soil microbial communities under long-term monoculture (M) or continuous crop rotations (CR). Under defined laboratory conditions the mean qCO₂C (unit CO₂C unit⁻¹ C_mic h⁻¹) of different microbial biomasses from 17 M systems amounted to 1.097 μg CO₂qCO₂CC as compared to 0.645 μg CO₂C of microbial biomasses from 19 CR systems. The 1.7 times higher CO₂C release per unit biomass and time of microbial biomasses from M systems was significantly different at the P =0.001 level.In addition, microbial C-loss in samples from M or CR plots was followed for 5 weeks. Again, mean qD per unit microbial biomass and time was 1.6 times higher (P = 0.01) for microbial biomasses from M systems (0.301 μg C, 14 soils) when compared with CR systems (0.188μg C, 14 soils).These differences were not related to soil texture, C_org or pH of these soils. The effects of environmental influences (soil management) on the microbial pool in terms of a changing energy demand are discussed.     

The effect of tropical forest conversion on soil microbial biomass

We investigated the effects of converting forest to savanna and plough land on the microbial biomass in tropical soils of India. Conversion of the forest led to a significant reduction in soil organic C (40–46%), total N (47–53%), and microbial biomass C (52–58%) in the savanna and the plough land. Among forest, savanna, and plough land, basal soil respiration was maximum in the forest, but the microbial metabolic quotient (qCO₂ was estimated to be at a minimum in the forest and at a maximum in the plough land.     

Simulating the dynamics of glucose and NH4+ in alkaline saline soils of the former Lake Texcoco with the Detran model

The turnover of organic matter determines the availability of plant nutrients in unfertilized soils, and this applies particularly to the alkaline saline soil of the former Lake Texcoco in Mexico. We investigated the effects of alkalinity and salinity on dynamics of organic material and inorganic N added to the soil. Glucose labelled with ¹⁴C was added to soil of the former Lake Texcoco drained for different lengths of time, and dynamics of ¹⁴C, C and N were investigated with the Detran model. Soil was sampled from an undrained plot and from three drained for 1, 5 and 8 years, amended with 1000 mg ¹⁴C‐labelled glucose kg^?1 and 200 mg NH₄⁺‐N kg^?1, and incubated aerobically. Production of ¹⁴CO₂ and CO₂, dynamics of NH₄⁺, NO₂^– and NO₃^–, and microbial biomass ¹⁴C, C and N were monitored and simulated with the Detran model. A third stable microbial biomass fraction had to be introduced in the model to simulate the dynamics of glucose, because > 90 mg ¹⁴C kg^?1 soil persisted in the soil microbial biomass after 97 days. The observed priming effect was mostly due to an increased decay of soil organic matter, but an increased turnover of the microbial biomass C contributed somewhat to the phenomenon. The dynamics of NH₄⁺ and NO₃^– in the NH₄⁺‐amended soil could not be simulated unless an immobilization of NH₄⁺ into the microbial biomass occurred in the first day of the incubation without an immediate incorporation of it into microbial organic material. The dynamics of C and a priming effect could be simulated satisfactorily, but the model had to be adjusted to simulate the dynamics of N when NH₄⁺ was added to alkaline saline soils.     

Salinity reduces the ability of soil microbes to utilise cellulose

An incubation experiment was conducted to determine the response of soil microbial biomass and activity to salinity when supplied with two different carbon forms. One nonsaline and three saline soils of similar texture (sandy clay loam) with electrical conductivities of the saturation extract (EC_e) of 1, 11, 24 and 43 dS m^?1 were used. Carbon was added at 2.5 and 5 g C kg^?1 (2.5C, 5C) as glucose or cellulose; soluble N and P were added to achieve a C/N ratio of 20 and C/P ratio of 200. Soil microbial activity was assessed by measuring CO₂ evolution continuously for 3 weeks; microbial biomass C and available N and P were determined on days 2, 7, 14 and 21. In all soils, cumulative respiration was higher with 5C than with 2.5C and higher with glucose than with cellulose. Cumulative respiration was highest in the nonsaline soil and decreased with increasing EC, whereas the decrease was gradual with glucose, there was a sharp drop in cumulative respiration with cellulose from the nonsaline soil to soil with EC11 with little further decrease at higher ECs. Microbial biomass C and available N and P concentrations were highest in the nonsaline soil but did not differ among the saline soils. Microbial biomass C was higher and available N was lower with 5C than with 2.5C. The C form affected the temporal changes of microbial biomass and available nutrients differentially. With glucose, microbial biomass was highest on day 2 and then decreased, whereas available N showed the opposite pattern, being lowest on day 2 and then increasing. With cellulose, microbial biomass C increased gradually over time, and available N decreased gradually. It is concluded that salinity reduced the ability of microbes to decompose cellulose more than that of glucose.