集约经营雷竹林土壤微生物的演变

Phyllostachys praecox C. D. Chu et C. S. Chao, a favored bamboo shoot species, has been widely planted in recent years. Four stands with different historical management practices were selected for this study to understand the evolution of soil microbial ecology by determining the effects of a new mulching and heavy fertilization practice on soil quality using microbiological parameters. Compared with the traditional practice (index 1), microbial biomass carbon (MBC) and soil microbial respiration carbon (MRC) with the new management practice significantly decreased (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively) with 1--2 years of mulching (index 2) and then for continued mulching significantly increased (P < 0.05). The ratios of MBC/TOC (total organic carbon) and MRC/TOC also significantly diminished (P < 0.05) with mulching. The average well color development (AWCD) and Shannon index decreased with mulching time, and the significant decrease (P < 0.05) in Shannon index occurred from index 2 to index 3. The results from a principal components analysis (PCA) showed that the scores of the first principal component for indexes 1 and 2 were significantly larger (P < 0.05) than soils mulched 3--4 years or 5--6 years. Also, the second principal component scores for index 1 were larger than those for index 2, suggesting that the ability of soil microorganisms to utilize soil carbon was decreasing with longer use of the new management practice and causing a deterioration of soil biological properties.     

Soil microbial community composition under Eucalyptus plantations of different age in subtropical China

Eucalyptus is one of the fastest growing woody plants in the world, but few studies have reported the soil microbial community composition in Eucalyptus ecosystems. This study investigated the soil microbial communities in plantations of 3-, 7-, 10- and 13-year-old Eucalyptus in subtropical China based on phospholipid fatty acids (PLFA) analysis. The variation in soil microbial biomass and community compositions were influenced by sampling site and season and the interaction of both, which were consistent with the variation in soil total nitrogen (TN), soil organic carbon (SOC) and soil moisture. The number and abundances of PLFAs, and the amount of soil TN and SOC were higher in plantation of 13-year-old Eucalyptus than those in other younger plantations, suggesting that the soil properties and the soil microbial community composition is not negatively affected by the planting of Eucalyptus. The ratio of monounsaturated-to-branched fatty acids, the proportional abundance (mol%) of bacterial PLFA and fungal PLFA varied significantly with Eucalyptus plantations of different age, suggesting that the individual PLFA signatures might be sensitive indicators of soil properties associated with forest plantations.     

典型设施菜地中土壤微生物代谢功能多样性

土壤微生物代谢功能多样性是维持土壤生态系统健康的关键。为评价设施蔬菜种植对土壤微生物代谢功能多样性的影响,采用Biolog-Eco微平板法,研究了2个典型设施蔬菜种植市、不同种植年限设施菜地中土壤微生物代谢功能多样性,分析了与碳源利用相关的细菌群落及影响因子。结果表明：两地设施菜地土壤中平均颜色变化率（Average well color development,AWCD）、Shannon指数、Simpson指数和McIntosh指数随着种植年限的增加而降低,但安丘种植14 a和寿光种植10 a菜地土壤不符合此规律。主成分分析发现,两地之间土壤微生物对碳源利用的差异大于不同种植年限之间的差异。相关分析发现,在安丘土壤中,11种碳源（分属糖类、氨基酸类、羧酸类和聚合物类）与不同门细菌显著相关（P<0.05）;Firmicutes是与碳源相关种类最多的细菌,与9种碳源显著相关（P<0.05）。在寿光土壤中,16种碳源（分属糖类、氨基酸类、羧酸类、聚合物类、酚类和胺类）与不同门细菌显著相关（P<0.05）;Latescibacteria是与碳源相关种类最多的细菌,与4种碳源显著相关（P<0.05）。冗余分析发现,Cd是影响安丘土壤微生物碳源利用的最强环境因子,其负作用显著（P<0.01）,有机质（OM）的正作用为显著（P<0.01）。Zn、OM、Cd对寿光土壤微生物碳源利用的负作用显著（P<0.05）,As、pH值的正作用显著（P<0.05）。设施蔬菜长期种植导致土壤微生物代谢功能多样性持续降低,土壤生物质量退化,亟需采取有效耕作措施改善土壤微生态环境,保障设施菜地土壤健康。     

东北黑土区不同土地利用方式下农田土壤微生物多样性

为探究黑龙江省黑土区不同土地利用方式下土壤微生物多样性,该研究主要采用Biolog Eco微平板法,以荒地为对照,研究了黑龙江省中部和西南部黑土区玉米、水稻、大豆及土豆4种不同土地利用方式下土壤微生物多样性的变化。结果表明：1）可培养细菌的数量从大到小依次为土豆、水稻、大豆、玉米、荒地,但群落Shannon-Wiener多样性指数从高到低依次为：荒地（2.18）、玉米（2.11）、土豆（2.00）、水稻（1.73）、大豆（1.49）;2）不同利用方式下黑土区微生物碳源利用程度大致随培养时间的延长而升高,并且氨基酸、糖类以及聚合物类是黑土微生物代谢的最主要碳源;玉米地土壤微生物的Shannon-Wiener指数（3.18）、McIntosh指数（5.96）、丰富度指数（24.89）、及Simpson指数（0.95）比其他土地利用方式土壤微生物的多样性指数高,而水稻田土壤微生物的多样性指数最低,土豆、大豆与荒地土壤微生物的多样性指数间无显著差别;3）不同土地利用方式显著影响了土壤微生物群落碳源代谢多样性,并且对土壤微生物群落代谢特征起分异作用的主要碳源类型为糖类、氨基酸类和羧酸类,其中糖类尤为突出。该研究将有助于了解黑土区土壤微生物多样性与土地利用方式之间的关系,为黑土区农业的可持续发展提供一定的科学依据。     

Response of soil microbial diversity to land-use conversion of natural forests to plantations in a subtropical mountainous area of southern China

Land-use conversion can affect the soil microbial community diversity, soil organic matter and nutrient cycling. In this study, soils within a representative land-use sequence were sampled in a subtropical region of China, including four natural forests, Altingia gracilipes Hemsl. (ALG), Cinnamomum chekiangense Nakai (CIC), Castanopsis fargesii Franch. (CAF), and Tsoongiodendron odorum Chun (TSO), and two plantations, Cunninghamia lanceolata (Lamb.) Hook. (CUL) and a citrus orchard (Citrus reticulata Blanco). The soil microbial diversity was investigated by phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) analysis, denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results showed that microbial community diversity exhibited distinct patterns among land-use types. After conversion of natural forests to plantations, the amount of PLFA and the number of bacterial 16?S rRNA gene copies were reduced significantly, as well as the number of DGGE bands. The average quantity of PLFA was lower by 31% in the CUL plantation and 57% in the citrus orchard, respectively, than in natural forests. Simultaneously, the average copy numbers of the bacterial 16?S rRNA gene were significantly decreased from 8.1?×?10^10?g^?1?dry weight (DW) in natural forest to 4.9?×?10^10?g^?1 DW in CUL plantation, and 3.1?×?10^10?g^?1 DW in the citrus orchard. Such negative responses of soil microbes to conversion of natural forests to plantations could mainly result from decreases in soil organic carbon and necessary elements for growth during land-use conversion, as revealed by statistical analysis. Our results suggested that the soil microbial diversity was indirectly in?uenced by land-use types in the mid-subtropical mountainous area of southern China. Changes in the amount of litterfall and the soil nutrient status that resulted from land-use conversion drove these indirect changes. Furthermore, deliberate management brought negative effects on soil microbes, which is not beneficial to the sustainability of the ecosystem.     

Converting natural evergreen broadleaf forests to intensively managed moso bamboo plantations affects the pool size and stability of soil organic carbon and enzyme activities

Land-use change significantly affects the soil organic C (SOC) dynamics and microbial activities. However, the roles of chemical composition of SOC and enzyme activity in the change in the SOC mineralization rate caused by land-use change are poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the impact of land-use conversion from natural evergreen broadleaf forests to intensively managed moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis) plantations on the pool size and mineralization rate of SOC, as well as the activities of C-cycling enzymes (invertase, β-glucosidase, and cellobiohydrolase) and dehydrogenase. Four paired soil samples in two layers (0–20 and 20–40 cm) were taken from adjacent evergreen broadleaf forest-moso bamboo plantation sites in Lin’an County, Zhejiang Province, China. Soil water-soluble organic C (WSOC), hot-water-soluble organic C (HWSOC), microbial biomass C (MBC), readily oxidizable C (ROC), the activities of C-cycling enzymes and dehydrogenase, and mineralization rates of SOC were measured. The chemical composition of SOC was also determined with ¹³C-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The conversion of broadleaf forests to bamboo plantations reduced SOC stock as well as WSOC, HWOC, MBC, and ROC concentrations (P?<?0.05), decreased O-alkyl, aromatic, and carbonyl C contents, but increased alkyl C content and the alkyl C to O-alkyl (A/O-A) ratio, suggesting that the land-use conversion significantly altered the chemical structure of SOC. Further, such land-use change lowered (P?<?0.05) the SOC mineralization rate and activities of the four enzymes in the 0–20-cm soil. The decreased SOC mineralization rate associated with the land-use conversion was closely linked to the decreased labile organic C concentration and soil enzyme activities. The results demonstrate that converting broadleaf forests to moso bamboo plantations markedly decreased the total and labile SOC stocks and reveal that this conversion decreased the mineralization rate of SOC via changing the chemical composition of SOC and decreasing activities of C-cycling enzymes. Management practices that enhance C input into the soil are recommended to mitigate the depletion of SOC associated with land-use conversion to moso bamboo plantations.     

Effects of ecological compensation meadows on arthropod diversity in adjacent intensively managed grassland

An important goal of ecological compensation areas (ECAs) is to increase biodiversity in adjacent intensively managed farmland and the agricultural landscape at large. We tested whether this goal can be achieved in the case of the agri-environmental restoration scheme implemented for Swiss grassland using five large arthropod taxa (bees, true bugs, orthopterans, ground beetles and spiders) representing different ecological and functional groups. The species richness and abundance of all groups and species, respectively, was measured along 100 m transects from ECA-meadows into the adjacent intensively managed grassland at 24 sites. Species richness of all arthropod taxa except ground beetles, and the abundance of 63% of the 234 arthropod species sampled with at least five individuals were higher in ECA-meadows than in their surroundings, while the total abundance of spiders and ground beetles was higher in intensively managed meadows. The abundance of 8% of these species were only increased in the ECA-meadows themselves (“stenotopic” species) but 40% had increased abundance both in the ECA-meadows and the adjacent grassland, declining exponentially with increasing distance from ECA-meadows (“edge species”). The 90%-decay distances for these edge species differed among taxonomic groups (117 ± 18 m for true bugs, 137 ± 24 m for spiders, 152 ± 34 m for bees, 167 ± 5.7 m for orthopterans, 185 ± 34 m for ground beetles; mean ±1 standard error) and independent of taxonomic group were larger for large-sized or predacious species than for small-sized or phytophagous species. Because the average distance between neighbouring ECA-meadows in Swiss grassland is only 73 ± 4 m, the current agri-environment scheme very likely enhances arthropod diversity and possibly associated ecosystem services in the Swiss agricultural landscape at large.     

Improved nutrient status affects soil microbial biomass,respiration, and functional diversity in a Lei bamboo plantation under intensive management

Purpose

Intensive management, such as fertilization and organic mulching, is applied frequently in Lei bamboo (Phyllostachys praecox) plantations to achieve higher production in subtropical China. However, responses as well as key impact factors of soil microbial properties under such management remain uncertain. We analyzed the relationships between nutrient changes and microbial properties and assessed the main factors determining microbial biomass, activity, and functional diversity in soils under intensive management in a Lei bamboo plantation.

Materials and methods

Soil samples of treatments of no fertilization (control), chemical fertilization (CF), and chemical and organic fertilization combined with organic mulching (CFOM + M) were taken before mulching. The soil organic carbon (SOC), dissolved organic carbon, and total and available nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) were measured. Microbial biomass carbon (MBC), basal respiration, and mineralization were also analyzed. Community level of physiological profile (CLPP) of microorganisms was analyzed by BIOLOG method to estimate the functional diversity and carbon (C) source utilization patterns of microbes. Principal component analysis (PCA), principal response curve (PRC), correlation analysis, regression analysis, and redundancy analysis (RDA) were performed to clarify changes in variables and determine the factors influencing microbial properties.

Results and discussion

SOC and total and available N, P, and K increased as follows: CFOM + M > CF > control. However, C/P and N/P ratios showed an opposite trend. MBC and respiration were not affected, but microbial quotient and metabolic quotient declined under intensive management. McIntosh diversity index was much higher in CFOM + M. The PCA showed that microorganisms in CFOM + M had a stronger ability to use most C sources. Weaker utilization of serine indicated an alleviation of nutrient deficiency in CFOM + M. PRC of CLPP showed a significant treatment effect and that utilization of serine sensitively responded to nutrient status over the whole incubation time. RDA showed that total and available N, total K, and C/P were the main factors influencing utilization of C sources by microbial communities.

Conclusions

Fertilization combined with organic mulching increased soil nutrients, microbial biomass, and respiration in a Lei bamboo plantation. Abundant nutrients also increased C source use efficiency of microorganisms under intensive management. Changes of N and K and C/P might have led to a shift in microorganisms toward a different life strategy and determined the change in C source utilization patterns of microbial communities.

     

Soil microbial functional diversity response following nematocide and biocide amendments in a desert ecosystem

The aim of the current study was to gain a better understanding of the changes that occur in soil microbial community and in its functional diversity as a result of the use of nematocide and biocide inhibitors in natural ecosystems. Both inhibitors are known to have a great effect on the nematode community and total biota, playing an important role in soil food web and biota interactions. The experiment was set up in the Negev Desert using sixteen 1×1 m soil plots, to which two chemical inhibitors were applied: (a) a biocide, to eliminate the whole biotic community; and (b) a nematocide, to eliminate the nematode community in soil. In addition, water treatment was applied to the same soil plots, while untreated soil plots were used as control. Microbial functional diversity, together with abiotic parameters such as soil moisture and total organic carbon, was tested monthly in soil samples collected from the 0-10 and 10-20 cm soil layers. The results of the abiotic parameters showed similar patterns in the two soil layers regardless of the inhibitor treatments. An increase in soil water content followed rainfall patterns. Total organic carbon was low during the wet season and increased during the dry seasons. The Shannon-Weaver index value for microbial functional diversity was found to increase in spring after the wet season in both soil layers. In the upper soil layer, an increase was observed both in the inhibitor and water treatments. However, the increase in the water treatment lasted longer compared to the increase observed in the inhibitor-treated soil plots. In the 10-20 cm soil layer, a different pattern was observed: an increase in microbial functional diversity was observed in the inhibitor-treated soil plots, while an increase in the water-treated soil plots was seen at a later stage. Principal Component Analysis was also conducted, revealing different patterns between inhibitors and water treatments on both a temporal scale, when changes from a homogeneous to heterogeneous consumption pattern were observed, and in the nature of communities that proliferate in the soil. Differences were also observed in the microbial community between the upper 0-10 and the lower 10-20 cm soil layers, where an opposite pattern of substrate consumption was observed. This study emphasizes the important role the biotic component plays in the soil of an arid climate, studying the long-term effects of key species elimination on the microbial community in desert soil.     

章古台沙地松树人工林土壤无机氮、微生物生物量碳及微生物生物量氮

The dynamics of soil inorganic nitrogen （NH4^＋ -N and NO3^- -N） and microbial biomass carbon （Cmic） and nitrogen （Nmic） under 30-year-old fenced Pinus sylvestris L. var. mongolica Litvin （SF）, unfenced P. sylvestris L. var. mongolica Litvin （SUF）, and unfenced Pinus densiflora Siebold et Zucc. （DUF） plantations in the Zhanggutai sandy soil of China were studied during Apr. to Oct. 2004 by the in situ closed-top core incubation method. All mentioned C and N indices in each stand type fluctuated over time. The ranges of inorganic N, Cmic, and Nmic contents in the three stand types were 0.7-2.6, 40.0-128.9, and 5.4-15.2 μg g^-1, respectively. The average contents of soil NH4^＋ -N and Cmic under the three 30-year-old pine plantations were not different. However, soil NO3^ -N and total inorganic N contents decreased in the order of SUF ≥ SF ≥ DUF, the Nmic content was in the order of SF = SUF 〉 DUF, and the Cmic：Nmic ratio was in the order of SUF = DUF 〉 SF. Seasonal variations were observed in soil inorganic N, microbial biomass, and plant growth. These seasonal variations had certain correlations with microbe and plant N use in the soil, and their competition for NH4^＋ -N was mostly regulated by soil N availability. The influence of tree species on inorganic N and Nmic were mainly because of differences in litter quality. Lack of gazing decreased the Cmic：Nmic ratio owing to decreased carbon output and increased the ability of soil to supply N. The soil N supply under the P. sylvestris var. mongolica plantation was lower than under the P. densiflora plantation.     

Soil microbial biomass, functional diversity and enzyme activity in glyphosate-resistant wheat-canola rotations under low-disturbance direct seeding and conventional tillage

As glyphosate-resistant (GR) crops are becoming common in agro-ecosystems, their effects on non-target soil organisms need to be monitored. We evaluated soil microbial biomass C (MBC), bacterial functional diversity and community structure, and dehydrogenase enzyme activity in a field experiment conducted at six sites on the Canadian prairies. Treatments consisted of a factorial arrangement of three GR wheat and GR canola crop frequencies and two tillage systems. GR crop frequencies were arranged in 4-yr wheat-canola-wheat-pea rotations, with GR wheat and GR canola in zero of four, two of four, or three of four possible GR crop frequencies. The two tillage systems were either low soil-disturbance direct-seeding (LDS) or conventional tillage (CT). MBC increased with increasing frequency of GR crops in two of 20 site-years in the rhizosphere, and had no effects in bulk soil. Depending on tillage, GR crop frequency also affected the functional diversity of rhizosphere soil bacteria in only two of 20 site-years, and had no effects in bulk soil. Shifts in the structures of bacterial communities related to GR crop frequency were detected, but they were few and inconsistent. In three of 22 cases (10 in rhizosphere+12 in bulk soil), the activity of dehydrogenase enzyme decreased with increasing frequency GR crops in both the rhizosphere and bulk soil. In five of 20 site-years, soil MBC in the rhizosphere was greater under CT than under LDS, regardless of GR crop frequency. In bulk soil, tillage affected soil MBC in five site-years, three of which had greater MBC under CT than LDS, and vice versa in the other two. Tillage affected the functional diversity of soil bacteria in the rhizosphere in three site-years, but the effects were not consistent. Similar inconsistent tillage-related patterns were observed in the community structures of bacteria. There were no tillage effects on bacterial diversity in bulk soil. Dehydrogenase enzyme activity was greater under LDS than under CT in three of four cases in which tillage had significant effects. Overall, GR crop frequency effects on soil microorganisms were minor and inconsistent over a wide range of growing conditions and crop management.     

不同施肥和耕作制度下土壤微生物多样性研究进展

本文主要介绍了运用Biolog GN、磷脂脂肪酸(PLFA)、核酸分析法进行土壤微生物群落分析的优缺点,综述了施肥、耕作两种农业措施对土壤微生物多样性影响的研究进展。指出不同施肥处理对微生物影响效果不同,合理施用有机肥有利于维持土壤微生物的多样性及活性;由于受其他环境因素(如土壤类型、农作制度、残茬量等)的影响,不同耕作措施对土壤微生物多样性影响有差异,但是大多试验结果显示免耕、少耕能增加微生物多样性和生物量,保持系统的稳定性。文章还指出了目前研究中存在的问题,并对今后的研究方向做了展望。     

Soil organic carbon distribution drives microbial activity and functional diversity in particle and aggregate-size fractions

Chemical and functional characterizations of particle-size and aggregate fractions of soils were performed to investigate whether accessibility and decomposability of organic matter regulate functions and diversity of the soil microbial community at the micro-habitat scale. Soils were physically fractionated into particle size fractions, free-particulate organic matter (F-POM), macro-aggregates (250–2000 μm) and micro-aggregates (53–250 μm). Organic C was enriched in silt and clay, micro-aggregates and F-POM fractions. Enzymes showed the greatest activity in the fine fractions (silt and clay) and F-POM, and were largely influenced by organic C content. MicroResp-CLPP (Community Level Physiological Profile) showed the lowest catabolic responses in the sand and the highest in the fine fraction and micro-aggregates. In general, organic C availability drove soil activity and functional diversity: soils with the higher amount of organic C showed the higher catabolic activity. However, this response was variable within soil fractions, where organic C accessibility, as well as microbial selection and distribution, affected functional diversity.     

不同利用方式下红壤微生物生物量及代谢功能多样性的变化

研究了不同农林利用方式下红壤微生物生物量和代谢功能多样性等土壤质量指标的变化.结果表明:不同利用方式对土壤质量各指标造成了显著的影响;稻田的微生物生物量碳、氮最高,林地和草地微生物生物量次之,旱地的微生物生物量碳、氮最低(分别是稻田利用方式的4.3% 和 13.7%);稻田的微生物代谢功能多样性最高,旱地、林地和草地的细菌代谢功能多样性较低,旱地的真菌代谢功能多样性最低;微生物生物量和代谢功能多样性可以作为反映土壤质量变化的早期敏感的指标,用来衡量管理措施的改变对土壤质量造成的影响.     

Organic mulch and fertilization affect soil carbon pools and forms under intensively managed bamboo (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Phyllostachys praecox</Emphasis>) forests in southeast China

Purpose  

Phyllostachys praecox is one of the bamboo species used for the production of fine edible bamboo shoots and is widely distributed in Southern China. To maintain or increase the productivity of bamboo shoots, P. praecox forests are intensively managed through heavy fertilization and surface mulch of organic residues such as rice husk to increase soil temperature in the winter. Such management techniques can markedly influence soil quality and the dynamics of soil carbon (C). The objectives of this study were to investigate the long-term impact of intensive management practices on carbon pools and forms in the soil of bamboo forests and explore relationships between different soil organic C fractions, as little such information is currently available.     

Effects of ecological restoration on microbial activity,microbial functional diversity,and soil organic matter in mixed-oak forests of southern Ohio,USA

As a result of many decades of fire suppression and atmospheric deposition the deciduous forests of eastern North America have changed significantly in stem density, basal area, tree size-frequency distribution, and community structure. Consequently, soil organic matter quality and quantity, nutrient availability, and microbial activity have likely been altered. This study evaluated the effects of four alternative forest ecosystem restoration strategies on soil microbial activity, microbial functional diversity, soil organic C, and soil N status in two mixed-oak (Quercus spp.) forests in southern Ohio, USA. The soils of these forests were sampled during the fourth growing season after application of (1) prescribed fire, (2) thinning of the understory and midstory to pre-settlement characteristics, (3) the combination of fire and thinning, and (4) an untreated control. Prescribed fire, with or without thinning, resulted in increased bacterial but not fungal activity when assessed using Biolog^®. In contrast, assays of acid phosphatase and phenol oxidase activity indicated greater microbial activity in the thinning treatment than in the other three treatments. Functional diversity of both bacteria and fungi was affected by restoration treatment, with the bacterial and fungal assemblages present in the thin + burn sites and the fungal assemblage present in the thinned sites differing significantly from those of the control and burned sites. Treatments did not result in significant differences in soil organic C content among experimental sites; however, the soil C:N ratio was significantly greater in thinned sites than in sites given the other three treatments. Similarly, there were no significant differences in dissolve inorganic N, dissolved organic N, or microbial biomass N among treatments. Bacterial and fungal functional diversity was altered significantly. Based on Biolog^® utilization treatments the bacterial assemblage in the thin-only treatment appeared to be relatively N-limited and the fungal assemblage relatively C-limited, whereas in the thin + burn treatment this was reversed. Although effects of restoration treatments on soil organic matter and overall microbial activity may not persist through the fourth post-treatment year, effects on microbial functional diversity are persistent.     

Soil bacterial functional diversity in a potato field

Nutrient availability of plants varies according to different processes governed by soil biota. In agroecosystems, human intervention may affect soil biota and therefore it has a crucial impact on system productivity and its maintenance. Based on the above information, we assumed that sequencing bacterial functional diversity in agrosystems will be affected by plant growing stages and human activity (agricultural practice). During the study period, soil samples comprising five cores (5 cm diameter) from upper (0 to 10 cm) and deeper (10 to 20 cm) layers were collected individually from a potato field and from a control site with zero input treatment. Soil moisture, total organic carbon and bacterial functional diversity were assessed. The results obtained from the field and laboratory studies demonstrate differences between growing stages. The percentage of soil moisture content ranged between 10–12 % during the study period, independent of depth, location (treatment and control) and growth stage, whereas total organic carbon (TOC) oscillated between 0.15–0.35 %. Soil microbial biomass (SMB) measured in the upper layer (0 to 10 cm) increased from values of 100 μg C·g^–1 soil before planting to 190 μg C·g^–1 soil after yield harvesting, and in the deep soil layer (10 to 20 cm) a mean value of 80 μg C·g^–1 soil was obtained. Bacterial functional diversity (BFD) was evaluated using the Biolog method. Values of Shannon diversity H’ = 16·10^–2 obtained in the upper layer during the pre-planting stage decreased to H’ = 5·10^–2 after planting. At the deep layer (10 to 20 cm), similar trends to those measured in the upper layer (0 to 10 cm) were obtained, except during the harvesting and post-harvesting seasons, when maximal values of H’ = 30·10^–2 were detected. In this context, we tried to comprehend the dynamics of microbial community and the diversity of bacterial populations participating in key soil processes of agroecosystems.     

Decreases in microbial functional diversity do not result in corresponding changes in decomposition under different moisture conditions

This study compares the functional capability of soils with differing microbial diversity. Soil microbial diversity was modified by either fumigation with reinoculation by unfumigated soil or fumigation with no reinoculation. Functional capability was assessed by following wheat straw decomposition in these soils and in an unfumigated control soil at three matric potentials (−5, −125 and −800 kPa). The changes in diversity after fumigation were compared with the effects of disturbance treatments (slow air-drying, rapid oven-drying, 2 mm sieving and 0.5 mm sieving) by studying patterns of in situ catabolic potential (ISCP) at 1 and 8 weeks. Five weeks after the fumigation treatments, the functional and phenotypic diversity of the soil microbial community, as revealed by patterns of ISCP and phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) profiles, respectively, were greatly different from that in unfumigated soil. The effects of the fumigation reinoculation treatment on functional diversity were comparable with those caused by rapid oven-drying, but were greater than the effects of 0.5 mm sieving. These disturbance treatments caused persistent changes in functional diversity, whereas slow air-drying and 2 mm sieving had little influence on diversity. Rates of straw decomposition were initially greater in the fumigated reinoculated soil than in the unfumigated soil at all moisture potentials. In contrast, straw mineralisation rates in the fumigated uninoculated soil generally exceeded rates in unfumigated soil for a period after 14 d, which was shorter at greater moisture potentials. These rates resulted in total straw mineralisation in fumigated reinoculated soil exceeding that in unfumigated soil at all moisture potentials. Compared with the unfumigated soils, total straw mineralisation in fumigated uninoculated soil was less at −5 kPa, similar at −125 kPa and greater at −800 kPa. The results indicated that the decomposition function of soil with reduced functional diversity can be diminished under optimum moisture conditions, but is not invariably reduced when assessed under suboptimal moisture conditions. This indicated that decreases in the functional diversity of soil microbial communities may not consistently result in declines in soil functioning.     

Gardens benefit bees and enhance pollination in intensively managed farmland

The recent loss of pollinating insects and out-crossing plants in agricultural landscapes has raised concern for the maintenance of ecosystem services. Wild bees have been shown to benefit from garden habitats in urban and suburban areas. We investigated the effects of distance from garden habitats on wild bees and seed set of a native out-crossing plant Campanula persicifolia, in intensively managed agricultural landscapes in Southern Sweden. Bee abundance and species richness, as well as plant seed set, were higher closer to gardens (<15 m) than further away (>140 m). This highlights private gardens as a landscape wide resource for pollinators but also the lack of sufficient pollination of wild plants in contemporary agricultural landscapes.     

Soil microbial dynamics and genetic diversity in soil under monoculture wheat grown in different long-term management systems

Organic matter incorporation into soil can increase nutrient availability to plants but it can affect soil microbial communities. These in turn influence soil fertility and plant growth. Soil biochemical and microbiological properties are indicators of soil quality, but there is still no consensus as to how these should be used. Recent developments in molecular biology have provided new tools to obtain a view of the whole microbial community. The long-term impact of crop residue management on the microbial biomass, and on the activity and community structure of soil bacteria was evaluated in a clay soil of Southern Italy, where a monoculture of durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.) was grown in semiarid conditions, and burning or incorporation of post harvest plant residues were typical practices. The role of N-mineral fertilization, simultaneously with the ploughing in of crop residues and during the plant growth cycle was also investigated. Total bacterial counts of viable cells, biomass C, ATP content of soil microorganisms, genetic fingerprinting of the total eubacterial community and of ammonia oxidizers were evaluated. Burning and incorporation did not affect microbial biomass C, ATP content, and total bacterial counts of viable cells although statistically relevant changes were detected among rhizosphere and bulk soil samples regardless of the crop residue management used. Molecular fingerprinting confirmed that: no significant change in the composition and diversity of total bacteria, as well as of ammonia oxidizers was induced by the crop residue managements; that soil bacteria were more sensitive to N fertilizer application during the plant growth cycle; and that rhizosphere soil samples were significantly different from those of the bulk soil. As microbiological and genetic factors related to soil fertility were not affected significantly, the long-term incorporation of crop residues, under the field conditions investigated, is a sustainable practice to manage post-harvest residues.