Decomposition and mineralization of energy crop residues governed by earthworms

Energy crops are increasingly cultivated in agricultural management systems world-wide. A substitution of food crops (e.g. cereals) by energy crops may generally alter the biological activity and litter decomposition in soil due to their varying structural and chemical composition and subsequently modify soil functioning. A soil microcosm experiment was performed to assess the decomposition and microbial mineralization of different energy crop residues in soil compared to a food crop, with or without earthworms. Residues of the energy crops winter rape (Brassica napus), maize (Zea mays), miscanthus (Miscanthus giganteus) and the food crop oat (Avena sativa) were each provided as food source for a mixed earthworm population, each consisting of one individual of Lumbricus terrestris, Aporrectodea caliginosa, and Octolasion tyrtaeum. After 6 weeks, the rate of litter loss from the soil surface, earthworm biomass, microbial biomass-C and -N, microbial activity, and enzyme activities were determined. The results emphasized, that litter loss and microbial parameters were predominantly promoted by earthworms and were additionally influenced by the varying structural and chemical composition of the different litter. Litter decay by earthworms was highest in N-rich maize litter treatment (C-N ratio 34.8) and lowest in the case of miscanthus litter (C-N ratio 134.4). As a consequence, the microbial biomass and basal respiration in soils with maize litter were higher, relative to other litter types. MBC-MBN ratio in soil increased when earthworms were present, indicating N competition between earthworms and microorganisms. Furthermore, enzyme activities responded in different ways on the varying types of litter and earthworm activity. Enzymes involved in the N-cycle decreased and those involved in the C-cycle tended to increase in the presence of earthworms, when litter with high C-N ratio was provided as a food source. Especially in the miscanthus treatments, less N might remain for enzymatic degradation, indicating that N competition between earthworms and microorganisms may vary between different litter types. Especially, an expansion of miscanthus in agricultural management systems might result in a reduced microbial activity and a higher N deficit for microorganisms in soil.     

Effects of biochar,earthworms, and litter addition on soil microbial activity and abundance in a temperate agricultural soil

Biochar application to arable soils could be effective for soil C sequestration and mitigation of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Soil microorganisms and fauna are the major contributors to GHG emissions from soil, but their interactions with biochar are poorly understood. We investigated the effects of biochar and its interaction with earthworms on soil microbial activity, abundance, and community composition in an incubation experiment with an arable soil with and without N-rich litter addition. After 37 days of incubation, biochar significantly reduced CO₂ (up to 43 %) and N₂O (up to 42 %), as well as NH₄ ⁺-N and NO₃ ^?-N concentrations, compared to the control soils. Concurrently, in the treatments with litter, biochar increased microbial biomass and the soil microbial community composition shifted to higher fungal-to-bacterial ratios. Without litter, all microbial groups were positively affected by biochar × earthworm interactions suggesting better living conditions for soil microorganisms in biochar-containing cast aggregates after the earthworm gut passage. However, assimilation of biochar-C by earthworms was negligible, indicating no direct benefit for the earthworms from biochar uptake. Biochar strongly reduced the metabolic quotient qCO₂ and suppressed the degradation of native SOC, resulting in large negative priming effects (up to 68 %). We conclude that the biochar amendment altered microbial activity, abundance, and community composition, inducing a more efficient microbial community with reduced emissions of CO₂ and N₂O. Earthworms affected soil microorganisms only in the presence of biochar, highlighting the need for further research on the interactions of biochar with soil fauna.     

Effects of carbendazim and lambda-cyhalothrin on soil invertebrates and leaf litter decomposition in semi-field and field tests under tropical conditions (Amazônia,Brazil)

Effects of the fungicide carbendazim and of the insecticide lambda-cyhalothrin on soil invertebrates and litter decomposition under tropical conditions were assessed in ecotoxicological semi-field studies using intact soil-core terrestrial model ecosystems (TMEs) and in a field test applying the litter-bag method. In the TME study, performed indoors under controlled conditions, earthworms, isopods and diplopods were added to intact soil cores and mortality of soil invertebrates and mass loss of leaf litter were assessed. The field study was performed on an abandoned rubber plantation near Manaus (Amazonia, Brazil). The measurement endpoints were abundance of the soil fauna and mass loss of leaf litter. In the TMEs carbendazim caused a decrease in the abundance of the introduced earthworm Pontoscolex corethrurus and, partly, of the milliped Trigoniulus corallinus. In the field carbendazim decreased the abundance of the native earthworm Andiorrhinus amazonius. Lambda-cyhalothrin was toxic to isopods and millipedes in the TMEs, whereas no effect on arthropods was detected in the field. Organic matter breakdown measured as mass loss of leaf litter in TMEs over time revealed that the two tested agrochemicals can have an impact on decomposition at field relevant concentrations. In the field the results were less obvious, due to spatial heterogeneity through which possible effects of the tested agrochemicals could have been masked.     

Effects of addition of maize litter and earthworms on C mineralization and aggregate formation in single and mixed soils differing in soil organic carbon and clay content

C mineralization and aggregate stability directly depend upon organic matter and clay content, and both processes are influenced by the activity of microorganisms and soil fauna. However, quantitative data are scarce. To achieve a gradient in C and clay content, a topsoil was mixed with a subsoil. Single soils and the soil mixture were amended with 1.0 mg maize litter C g soil⁻¹ with and without endogeic earthworms (Aporrectodea caliginosa). The differently treated soils were incubated for 49 days at 15 °C and 40% water holding capacity. Cumulative C mineralization, microbial biomass, ergosterol content and aggregate fractions were investigated and litter derived C in bulk soil and aggregates were determined using isotope analyses. Results from the soil mixture were compared with the calculated mean values of the two single soils. Mixing of soil horizons differing in carbon and clay content stimulated C mineralization of added maize residues as well as of soil organic matter. Mixing also increased contents of macro-aggregate C and decreased contents of micro-aggregate C. Although A. caliginosa had a stimulating effect on C mineralization in all soils, decomposition of added litter by A. caliginosa was higher in the subsoil, whereas A. caliginosa decreased litter decomposition in the soil mixture and the topsoil. Litter derived C in macro-aggregates was higher with A. caliginosa than with litter only. In the C poor subsoil amended with litter, A. caliginosa stimulated the microbial community as indicated by the increase in microbial biomass. Furthermore, the decrease of ergosterol in the earthworm treated soils showed the influence of A. caliginosa on the microbial community, by reducing saprotrophic fungi. Overall, our data suggest both a decrease of saprotrophic fungi by selective grazing, burrowing and casting activity as well as a stimulation of the microbial community by A. caliginosa.     

Effect of earthworm addition on soil nitrogen availability,microbial biomass and litter decomposition in mesocosms

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of adding two tropical earthworm species, Rhinodrilus contortus and Pontoscolex corethrurus, to mesocosms on the availability of mineral N (NH₄ ⁺ and NO₃ ^– concentrations), soil microbial biomass (bio-N), and the decomposition rates of three contrasting leaf litter species, in a glasshouse experiment. The mesocosms were filled with forest soil and covered with a layer of leaf litter differing in nutritional quality: (1) Hevea brasiliensis (C/N=27); (2) Carapa guianensis (C/N=32); (3) Vismia sp., the dominant tree species in the second growth forest (control, C/N= 42); and, (4) a mixture of the former three leaf species, in equal proportions (C/N=34). At the end of the 97-day experiment, the soil mineral N concentrations, bio-N, and leaf litter weight loss were determined. Both earthworm species showed significant effects on the concentrations of soil NO₃ ^– (p<0.01) and NH₄ ⁺ (p<0.05). Bio-N was always greater in the mesocosms with earthworms (especially with R. contortus) and in the mesocosms with leaf litter of H. brasiliensis (6 µg N g^–1 soil), the faster decomposing species, than in the other treatments (0.1–1.6 µg N g^–1). Thus, earthworm activity increased soil mineral-N concentrations, possibly due to the consumption of soil microbial biomass, which can speed turnover and mineralization of microbial tissues. No significant differences in decomposition rate were found between the mesocosms with and without earthworms, suggesting that experiments lasting longer are needed to determine the effect of earthworms on litter decomposition rates.     

A microcosm study on the respiration and weight loss in birch litter and raw humus as influenced by soil fauna

Summary The effect of diverse soil fauna (Collembola, Acari, Enchytraeidae, Nematoda) on decomposition of dead organic matter was studied in microcosms containing (1) birch leaf litter, (2) raw humus of coniferous forest and (3) litter on humus. Total respiration (CO₂ evolution) was monitored weekly, and mass loss, length of fungal hyphae (total and metabolically active) and survival of animal populations were checked at the end of weeks 12 and 21–22 from the start of experiment. Animal populations established themselves well during the incubation. At the end of the experiment some replicates containing litter had microarthropod densities of up to 500 specimens per microcosm, corresponding to a field population of 200 000 m^–2. The soil animals had a positive influence on total respiration in all substrates. By the end of experiment 32.0%, 22.6% and 14.6% more CO₂ had evolved in the presence of animals in litter, litter + humus and humus alone, respectively. There was clear trend towards a higher mass loss in the presence of animals, though it was significant in litter only. Our results showed that a diverse soil animal community enhances the activity of soil microbes, and may thereby accelerate decomposition in raw coniferous forest soil.     

Tree species effects on microbial respiration from decomposing leaf and fine root litter

Tree species have an impact on decomposition processes of woody litter, but the effects of different tree species on microbial heterotrophic respiration derived from decomposing litter are still unclear. Here we used leaf and fine root litter of six tree species differing in chemical and morphological traits in a temperate forest and elucidated the effects of tree species on the relationships between litter-derived microbial respiration rates and decomposition rates and morphological traits, including specific leaf area (cm² g⁻¹) and specific root length (m g⁻¹) of litter at the same site. Litterbags set in forest soil were sequentially collected five times over the course of 18 months. During litter decomposition, microbial respiration from leaf and fine root litter differed among the six tree species. Temporal changes in the remaining mass and morphology (specific leaf area and specific root length) were observed, and the magnitude of these changes differed among species. Positive correlations were observed between respiration and mass loss or morphology across species. These results revealed that litter mass loss and morphological dynamics during decomposition jointly enhanced microbial respiration, and these carbon-based litter traits explained species differences in decomposition of leaves and fine roots. In conclusion, tree species influenced the magnitude and direction of microbial respiration during leaf/fine root litter decomposition. Tree species also affected the relationship between microbial respiration and litter decomposition through direct effects of litter traits and indirect effects mediated by regulation of heterotroph requirements.     

Suitability of wheat straw decomposition,cotton strip degradation and bait-lamina feeding tests to determine soil invertebrate activity

The activities of earthworms, springtails and mites in the decomposition of different substrates were examined by applying three different test methods: wheat straw degradation, the cotton-strip assay and the bait-lamina test. The main aim was to determine the potential of these three methods to describe the (direct and indirect) contribution of soil invertebrates to decomposition processes in soil. Animals were introduced at different densities to mesocosms consisting of intact soil cores taken from grassland. Wheat straw mass loss, determined after 27 days, and cotton tensile strength loss, measured after 14 days, did not significantly differ for the different densities of earthworms, springtails and mites. These findings indicate that cellulose degradation and wheat straw decomposition are more dependent on microbial activity, rather than on the abundance and activity of soil invertebrates. Soil microbial activity, measured as dehydrogenase activity at the end of the 75-day incubation period, did not show any correlation with animal density. Bait-lamina consumption rate was highest for the mesocosms containing earthworms, and increased with increasing earthworm density. Bait-lamina consumption in the mesocosms inoculated with springtails or mites only was not significantly different from that in the controls without animals. In the case of the mites this might at least partly be explained by the low densities used in this experiment. It may be concluded that whilst the bait-lamina test gives the best reflection of the biological activity of soil animals, in particular earthworms, wheat straw and cotton strip decomposition rates are more indicative of microbial activity in the soil.     

Combined effects of zinc and earthworm density on soil ecosystem functioning

In traditional environmental risk assessment for soils, interactions between biota, contaminants and soil functioning are seldom taken into account. Also, single species toxicity tests are conducted with a fixed number of test animals. The objective of this study was to investigate effects of zinc (0–620 mg Zn kg^?1 dry soil) on soil ecosystem processes at different densities of the earthworm Lumbricus rubellus. Experiments were conducted using 1-liter microcosms equipped with respirometers. The presence of L. rubellus stimulated relevant soil processes and parameters: litter fragmentation, leaf litter mass loss from the soil surface, soil organic matter (SOM) content and soil respiration. Zinc was not lethal to L. rubellus, but negatively impacted soil respiration at the highest concentrations. Litter mass loss from the soil surface was also decreased by zinc and there was a significant interaction with worm density. The results of the study demonstrate that the impact of zinc on soil processes depends on the presence and densities of key soil organisms such as earthworms that influence decomposition and SOM content. The outcome of this research can be used to make existing models for site-specific risk assessment more ecologically relevant, linking effects of contaminants on soil fauna populations with effects on ecosystem functioning.     

Competition between invasive earthworms (Amynthas corticis, Megascolecidae) and native North American millipedes (Pseudopolydesmus erasus, Polydesmidae): Effects on carbon cycling and soil structure

Invasive earthworms can have significant impacts on C dynamics through their feeding, burrowing, and casting activities, including the protection of C in microaggregates and alteration of soil respiration. European earthworm invasion is known to affect soil micro- and mesofauna, but little is known about impacts of invasive earthworms on other soil macrofauna. Asian earthworms (Amynthas spp.) are increasingly being reported in the southern Appalachian Mountains in southeastern North America. This region is home to a diverse assemblage of native millipedes, many of which share niches with earthworm species. This situation indicates potential for earthworm-millipede competition in areas subject to Amynthas invasion.In a laboratory microcosm experiment, we used two ¹³C enriched food sources (red oak, Quercus rubra, and eastern hemlock, Tsuga canadensis) to assess food preferences of millipedes (Pseudopolydesmus erasus), to determine the effects of millipedes and earthworms (Amynthas corticis) on soil structure, and to ascertain the nature and extent of the interactions between earthworms and millipedes. Millipedes consumed both litter species and preferred red oak litter over eastern hemlock litter. Mortality and growth of millipedes were not affected by earthworm presence during the course of the experiment, but millipedes assimilated much less litter-derived C when earthworms were present.Fauna and litter treatments had significant effects on soil respiration. Millipedes alone reduced CO₂ efflux from microcosms relative to no fauna controls, whereas earthworms alone and together with millipedes increased respiration, relative to the no fauna treatment. CO₂ derived from fresh litter was repressed by the presence of macrofauna. The presence of red oak litter increased CO₂ efflux considerably, compared to hemlock litter treatments.Millipedes, earthworms, and both together reduced particulate organic matter. Additionally, earthworms created significant shifts in soil aggregates from the 2000-250 and 250-53 μm fractions to the >2000 μm size class. Earthworm-induced soil aggregation was lessened in the 0-2 cm layer in the presence of millipedes. Earthworms translocated litter-derived C to soil throughout the microcosm.Our results suggest that invasion of ecosystems by A. corticis in the southern Appalachian Mountains is unlikely to be limited by litter species and these earthworms are likely to compete directly for food resources with native millipedes. Widespread invasion could cause a net loss of C due to increased respiration rates, but this may be offset by C protected in water-stable soil aggregates.     

Epigeic earthworms increase soil arthropod populations during first steps of decomposition of organic matter

Earthworms and soil arthropods are major groups involved in soil decomposition processes. Although the interaction between these organisms can influence decomposition rates, little is known about their population dynamics during the decomposition of organic matter. In this study, we used the pig manure decomposition process to evaluate the effects of the presence of the epigeic earthworm Eisenia fetida on seven groups of soil arthropods: springtails, astigmatid, prostigmatid, mesostigmatid and oribatid mites, psocids and spiders. We carried out an experiment in which low and high doses (1.5 and 3 kg, respectively) of pig manure were applied in consecutive layers to small-scale mesocosms with and without earthworms. The presence of E. fetida increased the overall number of soil arthropods regardless of the dose of manure applied. This result was mainly due to the presence of large populations of springtails and mesostigmatid mites. Springtails were more abundant in the new layers of the mesocosms, which indicated a preference for substrates with fresh organic matter and higher microbial biomass. The other arthropod groups were consistently favored by the presence of earthworms, but remained at low densities throughout the decomposition process. Only the psocids were negatively affected by the presence of E. fetida. These results suggest that the development of large populations of soil arthropods, mainly springtails, in the mesocosms with earthworms is a characteristic feature of the initial stages of the earthworm-driven decomposition process.     

Radionuclide Behaviour and Transport in a Coniferous Woodland Ecosystem: The Distribution of Radionuclides in Soil and Leaf Litter

A coniferous woodland in the vicinity of theBritish Nuclear Fuels reprocessing plant atSellafield, Cumbria, was used to examine the spatial,temporal and depth distribution of ¹³⁴Cs,¹³⁷Cs, ²³⁸Pu, ^239+240Pu and ²⁴¹Amin soil and leaf litter. All the radionuclides, withthe exception of ¹³⁴Cs, showed a consistent fallin accumulated soil and litter deposits withincreasing distance from the woodland edge nearest toSellafield. ¹³⁷Cs levels in soil declined from 53to 28 kBq m^-2, ^239+240Pu from 5.5 to 3.6 kBqm^-2 and ²⁴¹Am from 2.9 to 1.1 kBq m^-2within 100 m of the forest edge. This decline isattributed to greater deposition occurring at theleading edge of the woodland. The uniform depositionpattern of ¹³⁴Cs in soil is consistent with thehypothesis that, at the time of sampling, thesedeposits derived largely from wet deposition duringpassage of the Chernobyl plume over Cumbria in May1986. Results for the leaf litter indicate a similarspatial distribution to that observed in soil.Radionuclide concentrations were also similar but thisis not attributable to adventitious soil contaminationbecause significant differences between isotopicratios of ¹³⁴Cs:¹³⁷Cs and ²³⁸Pu:^239+240Pu imply that the contamination on leaflitter is of more recent origin than that in soils.     

Nutrient limitation of litter decomposition with long-term secondary succession: evidence from controlled laboratory experiments

Purpose

Understanding ecosystem processes such as litter decomposition in response to dramatic land-use change is critical for modeling and predicting carbon (C) cycles. However, the patterns of litter decomposition along with long-term secondary succession (over 100 years) are not well reported, especially concerning nutrient limitations on litter decomposition.

Materials and methods

To clarify the response of litter decomposition to changes in soil nutrient availability, we conducted four incubation experiments involving soil and litter and nutrient addition from different successional stages and investigated the changes in microbial respiration and litter mass loss.

Results and discussion

Our results revealed that microbial respiration increased with succession without any litter addition (1.19~1.73 mg C g^?1 soil), and litter addition significantly promoted microbial respiration (16.5~72.9%), especially in the early successional stage (grassland and shrubland). The decomposition rate of the same litter decreased with succession. In addition, nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) addition showed significant effects on litter decomposition and microbial respiration; P addition promoted litter decomposition (2.4~15.3%) and microbial respiration (10.1~34.5%) in all successional stages, while N addition promoted litter decomposition (4.0~10.3%) and microbial respiration (5.4~27.2%) in all except the last stage of succession, which showed a negative effect on litter decomposition (??7.5%) and microbial respiration (??6.1%), indicating possible N saturation of litter decomposition and microbial respiration.

Conclusions

This work highlights that soil nutrient availability and successional stages need to be taken into account to predict the changes to litter decomposition in response to global changes.

     

Effects of traditional and biodynamic farmyard manure amendment on yields,soil chemical,biochemical and biological properties in a long-term field experiment

We studied the effects of applications of traditionally composted farmyard manure (FYM) and two types of biodynamically composted FYM over 9 years on soil chemical properties, microbial biomass and respiration, dehydrogenase and saccharase activities, decomposition rates and root production under grass-clover, activity and biomass of earthworms under wheat, and yields in a grass-clover, potatoes, winter wheat, field beans, spring wheat, winter rye crop rotation. The experiment was conducted near Bonn, on a Fluvisol using a randomised complete block design (n=6). Our results showed that plots which received either prepared or non-prepared FYM (30 Mg ha^–1 year^–1) had significantly increased soil pH, P and K concentrations, microbial biomass, dehydrogenase activity, decomposition (cotton strips), earthworm cast production and altered earthworm community composition than plots without FYM application. Application of FYM did not affect the soil C/N ratio, root length density, saccharase activity, microbial basal respiration, metabolic quotient and crop yields. The biodynamic preparation of FYM with fermented residues of six plant species (6 g Mg^–1 FYM) significantly decreased soil microbial basal respiration and metabolic quotient compared to non-prepared FYM or FYM prepared with only Achillea. The biodynamic preparation did not affect soil microbial biomass, dehydrogenase activity and decomposition during 62 days. However, after 100 days, decomposition was significantly faster in plots which received completely prepared FYM than in plots which received no FYM, FYM without preparations or FYM with the Achillea preparation. Furthermore, the application of completely prepared FYM led to significantly higher biomass and abundance of endogeic or anecic earthworms than in plots where non-prepared FYM was applied.     

Quantification of soil fauna metabolites and dead mass as humification sources in forest soils

The analysis of publications on soil food webs (FWs) allowed calculation of the contents of soil fauna metabolites and dead mass, which can serve as materials for humification. Excreta production of FWmicrofauna reaches 570 kg/ha annually, but the liquid excreta of protozoa and nematodes compose about 25%. The soil fauna dead mass can be also maximally about 580 kg/ha per year. However, up to 70% of this material is a dead mass of bacteria, protozoa, and nematodes. The undecomposed forest floor (L) has low values of these metabolites in comparison with the raw humus organic layer (F + H). The mass of these metabolites is twice lower in Ah. Theoretical assessment of earthworms’ role in SOM formation shows that the SOM amount in fresh coprolites can be 1.4 to 4.5-fold higher than SOM in the bulk soil in dependence on food assimilation efficiency, the soil: litter ratio in the earthworms’ ration, and SOM quantity in the bulk soil. Excreta production varies from 0.2 to 1.9% of the total SOM pool annually, including 0.15–1.5% of excrements of arthropods and enchytraeidae, but the amount of arthropods’ dead mass comprises 0.2–0.4%. The calculated values of the SOM increase due to earthworms’ coprolites are of the same order (0.9–2.7% of SOM pool annually). These values of SOM-forming biota metabolites and dead mass are close to the experimental and simulated data on labile and stable SOM fractions decomposition in forest soils (about 2% annually). Therefore, these biota’s products can play a role to restock SOM decrease due to mineralization.     

Can acidification associated with nitrification increase available soil phosphate or reduce the rate of phosphate fixation?

Summary Using microcosms containing decomposing Pinus nigra litter, the effects of introducing two species of soil arthropods, the fungivorous collembolan Tomocerus minor and the detritivorous isopod Philoscia muscorum, have been studied. The effects of these animals on microbial respiration, on dehydrogenase and cellulase activity, and on the concentration of exchangeable macronutrients (Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, K⁺, NO _inf3 ^sup- , NH _inf4 ^sup+ , PO _inf4 ^sup3- ) were measured. Both species enhanced microbial activity and the concentration of exchangeable nitrate, ammonium, and phosphate. Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ concentrations were lowered in the microcosms with animals. The differences between the two species were mainly quantitative, and it appears that the effect of isopods is direct, whereas the collembolans show direct and indirect effects. Positive effects of the presence of animals were found when microbial activities or concentrations of exchangeable nutrients in microcosms without animals were low; negative effects were found when they were relatively high. Thus, soil arthropods have a buffering role in soil processes. These results ae discussed against a background of a supposed succession of sugar fungi/bacteria to more slowly growing decomposing fungi.Dedicated to the late Prof. Dr. W. Kühnelt     

Origin of the nitrogen assimilated by soil fauna living in decomposing beech litter

We investigated the nitrogen source for main taxa of soil fauna in two beech forests of contrasted humus type using ¹⁵N-labelled beech litter and ¹⁵N analysis of soil fauna. ¹⁵N-labelled beech litter was deposited on the topsoil in December 2000 in four stands of different ages at Leinefelde (Germany) with mull humus and in one mature stand at Sorø (Denmark) with moder humus. The fate of the tracer isotope was measured in litter and soil, as well as in the soil fauna, and for each taxa, we calculated the proportion of N in the animal derived from the labelled substrate. Of the original N contained in the litter, 20-41% was lost after 9 months at Leinefelde, and only 10% at Sorø. This loss was counterbalanced by the incorporation of 24-31% external N at Leinefelde, and 31% at Sorø, partly originating from fungal colonisation of the added litter. The proportion of N assimilated from the labelled litter by the different soil animals varied in relation to their mobility and feeding preferences. Large and mobile soil animals, especially predators, derived on average less ¹⁵N because they were also able to feed outside the labelled litter boxes. Detritivores assimilated at most 15% of their nitrogen content at Leinefelde and 11% at Sorø from the decomposing labelled litter. The most labelled taxa at Leinefelde were small fungivorous and coprophagous species, mainly isotomid Collembola such as Isotomiella and Folsomia. At Sorø, best labelled taxa were saprophagous species such as Enchytraeidae, Glomeridae and Phthiracaroidea. These low rates of ¹⁵N assimilation indicate that fresh litter is not directly the main N source for soil animals. The results obtained suggest that soil fauna fed preferentially upon microorganisms colonising the litter at Leinefelde (mull) and from litter itself at Sorø (moder).     

Influence of Organic Amendments on the Accumulation of 137Cs and 90Sr from Contaminated Soil by Three Grass Species

Bahia grass (Paspalum notatum), johnson grass (Sorghum halpense) and switchgrass (Panicum virginatum) werecompared for their ability to accumulate ¹³⁷Csand ⁹⁰Sr from three different contaminated soilsin the presence and absence of either sphagnum peator poultry litter amendments. Above-ground plantbiomass did not differ between plants that were notexposed to these radionuclides and those that wereexposed to soil containing ¹³⁷Cs or ⁹⁰Sr.After three harvests, bahia, johnson and switchgrassplants accumulated from 17.2 to 67.3% of the¹³⁷Cs and from 25.1 to 61.7% of the ⁹⁰Sradded to the soil. Poultry litter and peat mossamendments increased aboveground plant biomass,activity of ¹³⁷Cs or ⁹⁰Sr in plant tissue, %accumulation of ¹³⁷Cs or ⁹⁰Sr from soil andthe plant bioconcentration ratio at each harvestcompared to the control (no amendment) treatment. Thegreatest increases in plant biomass, and radionuclideaccumulation were observed with poultry litter foreach of the three grass species. Johnson grass hadgreater aboveground plant biomass, activity of¹³⁷Cs and ⁹⁰Sr in plant tissue, %accumulation of ¹³⁷Cs or ⁹⁰Sr from soil andbioconcentration ratio in each soil amendment, at eachharvest compared to bahia and switchgrass. Thegreatest accumulation of ¹³⁷Cs and ⁹⁰Sr wasmeasured in johnson grass grown in soil that wasamended with poultry litter. These results suggestthat plant species selection and agronomic practicesmay need to be considered to maximize phytoremediationof radionuclide contaminated soils.     

Decomposition of leaf litter from chitinase transgenic silver birch (Betula pendula) and effects on decomposer populations in a field trial

Although the area under cultivation of genetically modified plants (GMPs) has substantially increased during the last decade, the effects of transgenic organisms on ecosystem processes (such as litter decomposition and nutrient cycling) largely remain unknown. In this study, the decomposition of leaf litter from transgenic birch trees (Betula pendula) expressing sugar beet chitinase IV gene was studied in a field experiment. Eight chitinase transgenic lines and a non-transgenic control were included in the study. The decomposition of these litters was investigated by studying: (i) litter mass loss, (ii) fungal (litter ergosterol content) and total microbial biomass (SIR) and their activity (basal respiration), and (iii) the effects of transgenic litter on microbial-feeding soil fauna (number of nematodes and abundance of different functional groups). At the end of the study (8 and 11 months after establishment) mass loss of chitinase transgenic leaf litter did not differ from that of non-transgenic control trees. Similarly, no differences in either the fungal or total microbial biomass between the treatments were recorded. A single transgenic line showing high chitinase IV expression differed significantly from the controls in the mean number of nematodes. The nematode populations in this litter showed distinct temporal dynamics compared to the controls, thus indirectly indicating microbial differences in the litter. The results of this study indicate that conceivable changes, possibly derived from pleiotropic effects due to gene modification, in the litter quality due to gene transformation are either absent or too weak to affect the decomposability of the litter in the soil.     

Interaction between earthworms and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on the degradation of oxytetracycline in soils

The interactive impact of earthworms (Eisenia fetida) and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (Rhizophagus intraradices, AM fungi) on the degradation of oxytetracycline (OTC) in soils was studied under greenhouse conditions. Treatments included maize plants inoculated vs. not inoculated with AM fungi and treated with or without earthworms at low (1 mg kg⁻¹ soil DM) or high (100 mg kg⁻¹ soil DM) OTC rates. The root colonization rate, the hyphal density of mycorrhizae, the residual OTC concentration in soils, catalase, dehydrogenase, urease, soil microbial biomass C, Shannon–Wiener index (H) for microbial communities from T-RFLP profiles were measured at harvest. The results indicated that earthworms and AM fungi would individually or interactively enhance OTC decomposition and significantly decreased the residual OTC concentration at both high and low OTC rates. Both earthworms and AM fungi could promote the degradation of OTC by increasing soil microbial biomass C at both high and low OTC rates. The effect of soil enzyme activity and soil microbial diversity on OTC decomposition was different between high and low OTC rates. Hyphomicrobium and Bacillus cereus were dominant bacteria, and Thielavia and Chaetomium were dominant phyla of fungi at all occasions. Earthworm activity stimulated the growth of Hyphomicrobium and Thielavia, while AM fungi may stimulate B. cereus, Thielavia and Chaetomium, resulting in greater OTC decomposition. The interaction between earthworms and AM fungi in affecting the degradation of OTC may be attributed to different mechanisms, depending on soil microbial biomass, function (enzyme activity) and communities (the abundance of Hyphomicrobium, B. cereus, Thielavia and Chaetomium) in the soil.