Molecular changes in organic matter of a compost-amended soil

The molecular changes of organic matter in a cultivated soil after compost amendments was followed by off-line-pyrolysis-TMAH GC-MS. Thermochemolysis of soil and compost provided a detailed molecular characterization of soil organic matter (SOM) by releasing a large amount of different molecules mainly derived from plant biopolymers such as lignin, waxes and bio-polyesters. No significant differences were found before and after 1 year of cultivation in the pyrolytic products released by control soil, which were mainly fatty acids, oxidized forms of lignins, and minor amounts of microbial bio-products and biopolyesters derivatives. Conversely, significant qualitative and quantitative variations were found in the molecular characteristics of SOM between control and compost-amended soils after 1 year of cultivation. Increasing amounts and diversified components of fatty acids, n -alkanes and various biopolyesters derivatives such as hydroxy-alkanoic and alkandioic acids were found in the compost-amended soil. These results indicate that a significant amount of exogenous compost-derived organic molecules were incorporated into SOM after 1 year of cultivation. The organic structural indexes derived from these results indicated direct inputs of undecomposed lignin residues and hydrocarbon waxes from compost material. When compared with the control soil, small but significant amounts of plant biomarkers, such as cyclic di- and triterpenes derivatives, were found only in the compost-amended soil. These findings suggest that the molecular changes of SOM brought about by amendment with biomass residues can be followed by using thermochemolysis of bulk soil samples.     

The dynamics of dissolved organic N in the fumigated soils

The aim of this study was to investigate the dynamics of dissolved organic N in soils fumigated separately with chloropicrin (CP), 1,3-dichloropropene, and metam sodium (MS) for 7 days and then incubated at 25°C for 84 days. The dissolved organic N (DON) at 14 days after fumigation was mainly dissolved amino acids (DAA) which were then rapidly mineralized to ammonium. However, the DON pool at later incubation times was mainly high molecular weight organic N which was resistant to microbial decomposition. Three soil fumigants all increased the proportions of DON in total dissolved N and DAA in DON. Dissolved organic N became much more important mobile N source in CP- and MS-fumigated soils, and this may increase the risks of DON leaching in agricultural ecosystems.     

Population dynamics of soil microorganisms associated with fungicide-dusted caladium seedpieces

The effects of three fungicidal dusts (captan ; a mixture of benomyl, thiram and streptomycin sulfate; and a mixture of chloroneb, thiram and streptomycin sulfate) on the short-term populations dynamics of fungi and bacteria associated with caladium seedpieces planted in raw muck soil were investigated. Both germinating seedpieces and seedpieces which were decomposing after the removal of eyes were used. To determine microbial populations, dilutions of a comminuted suspension of a seed-piece and surrounding soil were plated on selective media at 0,2,4, 8 and 12 weeks after seedpieces were planted. Addition of seedpieces to soil resulted in increases in populations in the following approximate chronological order: fluorescent Pseudomonas spp, Pythium spp, total bacteria, Fusarium spp and other genera of fungi. Most organisms assayed reached higher populations on decomposing than on germinating seedpieces. The effects of the fungicidal dusts on populations of microorganisms associated with seedpieces were not related to changes in populations that followed incorporation of the dusts into soil without seedpieces. The fungicidal dusts reduced total fungal population increases on germinating, but not on decomposing, seedpieces. Bacterial population increases were similar for all treatments of germinating seedpieces, but were prolonged on decomposing, fungicide-dusted seedpieces, as compared to controls.     

Mineralization and immobilization of nitrogen in fumigated soil and the measurement of microbial biomass nitrogen

Immobilization of N was measured in a fumigated and in an unfumigated soil by adding (¹⁵NH₄)₂SO₄ and following the disappearance of inorganic label from the soil solution and its simultaneous conversion to soil organic N. Calculations based on the measurement of organically-bound ¹⁵N gave more consistent values for immobilization than did calculations based on the measurement of the disappearance of label from solution. The fumigated soil immobilized 6.6 μg N g^?1 N g^?1 soil in 10 days at 25°C, the unfumigated control 4.8 μg. The corresponding gross mineralization rates were 34.9 and 5.6 μg N g^?1 soil in 10 days.Addition of 58 μg N as (¹⁵NH₄)₂SO₄ to the fumigated soil increased the quantity of the ynlabelled NH₄-N extracted at the end of 10 days from 33.8 to 37.8 μg Ng^?1 soil, i.e. there was a positive Added Nitrogen Interaction (ANI). The added labelled N produced this ANI, not by increasing the rate of mineralization of organic N, but by standing proxy for unlabelled N that otherwise would have been immobilized.A procedure for calculating biomass N from the size of the flush of mineral N caused by fumigation is proposed. Biomass N (B_N) is calculated from the relationship B_N = F'_N/0.68 where F'_N is [(N in fumigated soil incubated for 10 days — (N in unfumigated soil incubated for 10 days)].     

Temporal changes of soil physical and hydraulic properties in strawberry fields

Even over short time intervals, soil properties are subject to variation, especially in managed soils. The objective of this study was to assess the temporal changes of soil physical and hydraulic properties in strawberry fields cultivated under surface drip fertigation in Turuçu, Brazil. Intact core samples were collected from the near surface soil layer of seedbeds to determine the total porosity (TP), macroporosity (MA), matrix porosity, bulk density (BD), available water capacity (AWC), field capacity, wilting point and Dexter’s S index. Aggregate samples were collected from the arable layer to determine the aggregate size distribution and aggregate mean weight diameter. All samples were collected from 15 strawberry fields and at four different times during the 2007–2008 strawberry growing cycle. Although soil pore‐solid relations are expected to adjust soon after seedbed construction, their variation was only evident after >13 weeks. Even though values of TP and MA decreased with time, and those of BD increased near the end of the growing cycle, all the soils maintained their capacity to support root activity as indicated by critical values of Dexter’s index (S > 0.03). The amount of relatively large aggregates (9.51–2.00 mm) and AWC increased towards the end of the strawberry cultivation cycle. With changes in soil structure improving soil physical quality, strawberry development benefitted. We showed that if farmers gradually increase the amount of water through fertigation to a maximum value occurring at the end of crop cycle instead of applying water at a constant rate, water and energy use efficiency in agriculture would improve.     

Effect of soil application of cadmium contaminated lime on soil cadmium distribution and cadmium concentration in strawberry leaves and fruit

Heavy metal environmental pollution which occurs as a result of lime contaminated with cadmium (Cd) poses a potential health hazard. This investigation was undertaken to study uptake of Cd by strawberry plants grown in soil amended with three different sources and two different rates of industry waste lime containing 3.4, 14.3, and 60.0 mg Cd/kg, respectively. The effects of Cd applied to the soil were investigated, including its distribution in the soil and effect on Cd concentration in strawberry cv. Senga Sengana (Fragaria anassa) leaves and fruit in response to soil organic matter content and lime rates. Cadmium accumulated mainly in the plough layer, increasing from 0.170 mg Cd/kg (background level) to a maximum of 1.2 mg Cd/kg. Fruit had very high, hazardous Cd concentrations regardless of its content in the soil. This indicates that Cd was easily taken up by strawberry plants and accumulated in upper plant parts, including the fruit. Soil Cd content had no effect on concentration of this element in strawberry fruit. However, plant Cd uptake and fruit concentration was increased in acid soils even when soil Cd concentration was low.     

Use of 13C and 15N natural abundance techniques to characterize carbon and nitrogen dynamics in composting and in compost-amended soils

Isotope fractionation during composting may produce organic materials with a more homogenous δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N signature allowing study of their fate in soil. To verify this, C, N, δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N content were monitored during nine months covered (thermophilic; >40 °C) composting of corn silage (CSC). The C concentration reduced from 10.34 to 1.73 g C (g ash)⁻¹, or 83.3%, during composting. Nitrogen losses comprised 28.4% of initial N content. Compost δ¹³C values became slightly depleted and increasingly uniform (from −12.8±0.6‰ to −14.1±0.0‰) with composting. Compost δ¹⁵N values (0.3±1.3 to 8.2±0.4‰) increased with a similar reduced isotope variability.The fate of C and N of diverse composts in soil was subsequently examined. C, N, δ¹³C, δ¹⁵N content of whole soil (0-5 cm), light (<1.7 g cm⁻³) and heavy (>1.7 g cm⁻³) fraction, and (250-2000 μm; 53-250 μm and <53 μm) size separates, were characterized. Measurements took place one and two years following surface application of CSC, dairy manure compost (DMC), sewage sludge compost (SSLC), and liquid dairy manure (DM) to a temperate (C₃) grassland soil. The δ¹³C values and total C applied (Mg C ha⁻¹) were DM (−27.3‰; 2.9); DMC (−26.6‰; 10.0); SSLC (−25.9‰; 10.9) and CSC (−14.0‰; 4.6 and 9.2). The δ¹³C of un-amended soil exhibited low spatial (−28.0‰±0.2; n=96) and temporal (±0.1‰) variability. All C₄ (CSC) and C₃ (DMC; SSLC) composts, except C₃ manure (DM), significantly modified bulk soil δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N. Estimates of retention of compost C in soil by carbon balance were less sensitive than those calculated by C isotope techniques. One and two years after application, 95 and 89% (CSC), 75 and 63% (SSLC) and 88 and 42% (DMC) of applied compost C remained in the soil, with the majority (80-90%) found in particulate (>53 μm) and light fractions. However, C₄ compost (CSC) was readily detectable (12% of compost C remaining) in mineral (<53 μm) fractions. The δ¹⁵N-enriched N of compost supported interpretation of δ¹³C data. We can conclude that composts are highly recalcitrant with prolonged C storage in non-mineral soil fractions. The sensitivity of the natural abundance tracer technique to characterize their fate in soil improves during composting, as a more homogeneous C isotope signature develops, in addition to the relatively large amounts of stable C applied in composts.     

Population dynamics and ecology of ciliates (Protozoa,Ciliophora) in an anoxic rice field soil

Wetland rice fields cover 1.46 million km² globally; the flooded soil of these fields is largely anoxic. While biogeochemistry and microbiology have been studied in detail, the microbial loop and especially the dynamics and function of ciliates are largely unknown. We used anoxic microcosms prepared with soil from an Italian rice field and recorded species composition, abundance and volume of ciliates together with numbers, volume and size distribution of bacteria. Ciliates were the dominating protists observed in the microcosms, but could be outnumbered by flagellates if the soil was amended with rice straw. The number of ciliate taxa was 23. Metopus species were dominant, but 16 of the species recorded in the anoxic soil were facultative anaerobes. Another 29 species were found in accompanying experiments that included the oxic soil surface. Total abundance in the anoxic soil was on average 110 cells g^–1 dry weight and comparable to that of other soils. The population of ciliates declined around 30 days after flooding, but recovered later. The period before the population declined was characterized by a rapid species turnover, many facultative anaerobes and large species. After recovery, the average cell size was much smaller, but even then a facultative anaerobe, Plagiacampa pentadactyla , was common. About 90% of all species were bacteriovores while the others—mainly Gymnostomatidae—were predators. Grazing ciliates may have controlled bacteria during the first 5 days after flooding, as could be shown by a negative correlation between the respective volumes and by the size spectra of the bacteria.     

Effect of superphosphate applications on soil phosphorus and on crop phosphorus removal by the strawberry

Abstract

Rate of superphosphate application significantly increased the Bray #2 (easily acid soluble plus adsorbed P) and “AlPO₄”; fractions for 3 successive years. A single dolomitic limestone application increased “FePO₄”; by an average of 36% one year after application. Crop P removal by the strawberry cv. ‘Acadia’ was approximately 2–3 ppm each year and it was not possible to relate this small amount to any of the soil P fractions determined.     

Screening of fungal strains responsible for strong fungistasis against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. radicis-lycopersici in a coffee compost-amended soil

(pp. 817–824)
Disease incidence of crown and root rot of tomato, caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. radicis-lycopersici J3 (FOL J3) was significantly lower in a soil (CC-soil) amended with coffee compost and chemical fertilizers (CF) than in a soil (CF-soil) amended with only CF. Germination of microconidia of various plant-pathogenic Fusarium oxysporum strains was consistently lower in the CC-soil than in the CF-soil, suggesting that the CC-soil possessed a higher degree of fungistasis. When the CC-soil was supplemented with rifampicin and kanamycin, germination of FOL J3 didn't increase, suggesting that the higher degree of fungistasis in the CC-soil may not be of bacterial origin. The substrate-induced respiration inhibition method demonstrated that the CC-soil possessed higher microbial activity and was dominated by fungi. PCR-DGGE analysis showed that the microbial community structure of the two soils was different. Fungal mycelia were isolated from the soils and the effect of the isolates on soil fungistasis was examined. Three isolates, all belonging to F. oxysporum out of 49 showed strongest suppressive effect on the germination of FOL J3 and two isolates suppressed Fusarium crown and root rot disease when they were inoculated into autoclaved CC-soil. These results might suggest that the isolates close to F. oxysporum were responsible for highly fungistatic capability in the CC-soil and were a possible source for disease suppression.     

Effect of soil microorganisms on the growth of roots in rice seedlings

Abstract

Root system of rice seedlings grown on nutrient solution inoculated with soil microorganisms were examined morphologically in comparison with those obtained under sterile condition. In the presence of soil microorganisms, primary roots increased in their number and decreased in the total length. Inoculated plants had more secondary roots equipped with tertiary roots. In addition, longer root hairs developed densely on primary and secondary roots of the inoculated seedlings.

Anatomical examination of the primary roots revealed that the number and width of cortical layers, as well as the length and width of the cortical cells, were increased by the effect of microorganisms. Microbial effect on outer morphology of rice roots, consequently, was estimated to have been induced from the alteration in histological and cytological activities including the activation of the periclinal divisions of the epidermal cells, the inactivation of the transverse divisions of the cortical cells and the activation of the elongation of cortical cells.     

Impacts of soil erosion on organic carbon and nutrient dynamics in an alpine grassland soil

The impact of soil erosion on the nutrient dynamics in alpine grassland soils is still an essential problem. Selecting a grass-covered hillslope in eastern Tibet Plateau, the cesium-137 (¹³⁷Cs) technique was used to determine the impacts of soil erosion on soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), and total potassium (TK). The ¹³⁷Cs data revealed that there were distinct soil redistribution patterns in different hillslope positions because of the influences of slope runoff, plant coverage and grazing activity. For the upper slope, soil erosion first decreased downward, followed by soil deposition in its lower part. In contrast, for middle and toe slopes, there was an increasing soil erosion along a downslope transect. Across the lower slope, soil erosion showed an irregular variation. Influenced by the selective transport of water erosion, SOC, TN and TP storage decreased with increasing soil erosion in upper, middle and toe slopes. In contrast, SOC, TN and TP storage varied little with soil erosion in the lower slope. On the whole hillslope, TK storage also varied little with soil erosion due to the large amount of potassium elements derived from soil parent materials. Particularly noteworthy was the greatest storage of SOC, TN and TP in the lower slope where most obvious net soil erosion occurred, which is closely related to the humus accumulation combined with gravel separation as well as weathering and pedogenesis of parent rocks induced by soil freeze-thaw.     

Population dynamics of the earthworm Aporrectodea trapezoides (Annelida: Lumbricidae) in a Western Australian pasture soil

Summary The changes in size and age-composition of an earthworm population were studied in a Western Australian pasture developed since 1912. The population size in the surface 10 cm was estimated by handsorting during the cool wet season (19 weeks from May to September). Two species, both exotic, were found, Aporrectodea tranpezoides (Lumbricidae) and Microscolex dubius (Acanthodrilidae). Of the 615 individual speciemens collected, 99.7% were A. trapezoides. The abundance of A. trapezoides increased from 58 m^-2 at the time of the opening rains to 170 m^-2 (88.6 g live weight m^-2) after 10.5 weeks. Near the end of the wet season (in October) the density was 37 m^-2. At the time of the opening rains the population consisted of juvenile and semimature individuals. Clitellate earthworms were found 1 month later and predominated from August (10.5 weeks) to the end of the season. Egg capsules were found from August through October. Egg capsules incubated in the laboratory at 16°C hatched on average after 42 days and produced two juveniles. Juvenile and immature earthworms collected from a quiescent state at the end of summer matured within 1 month when reared in moist soil in the laboratory.     

Population dynamics of the earthworm Amynthas alexandri (Annelida: Megascolecidae) in a Kumaun Himalayan pasture soil

Ecological studies on earthworms were conducted in a Kumaun Himalayan pasture soil. The C:N ratio in the soil declined with increasing depth. A combination of hand-sorting and formalin application was used to sample the earthworms. Three species, Amynthas alexandri, A. diffringens (Megascolecidae), and Eisenia fetida (Lumbricidae) were found. Of the 13310 individuals collected, 99.9% were A. alexandri. The maximum density (138.8 m^-2) and biomass (25.2 g m^-2) were recorded in the wet season. More than 60% of the total earthworm numbers and biomass were recorded at 0–10 cm in depth. The mean yearly ratio of clitellate to aclitellate worms was 1:7.3.     

Effect of soil heating on the dynamics of soil available nutrients in the rhizosphere

The effect of soil heating on the dynamics of soil available nutrients in the rhizosphere was evaluated. A pot experiment was carried out by using a rhizobox; a pot which enables to sample soils and soil solutions not only temporally with plant growth but also spatially depending on the distance from the root-accumulating compartment. The experiment consisted of 4 treatments; soils with or without heating treatment (150°C, 3 h), each of which was either planted with maize (Zea mays L.) or not. During the 17-d experiment, soil solutions at 0–2 mm from the root-accumulating compartment were collected 5 times. Soils depending on the distance from the root-accumulating compartment and plants were also collected after the experiment. The ionic concentrations of the soil solutions and soil water extracts, and the nutrient contents of plants were analyzed. Immediately after soil heating, the concentrations of cations, SO₄ ^2-, CI^-, water-soluble P, and water-soluble organic carbon increased significantly. With plant growth, the total ionic concentration in the rhizosphere soil solution increased for heated soil, whereas it decreased for unheated soil. The increase of the concentrations of cations and SO₄ ^2- in the rhizosphere of heated soil was appreciable, suggesting that the movement of cations such as Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ by mass flow was regulated by that of SO₄ ^2-. Moreover soil heating inhibited nitrification, resulting in the supply of N mainly in the form of NH₄ ⁺ within 10 mm from the root-accumulating compartment. As a result, the soil pH decreased in the rhizosphere of heated soil. The amount of nutrients absorbed by plants, on the other hand, did not change significantly by soil heating except for an increase of P uptake. The increase of P uptake could be explained not only by the immediate increase of the water-soluble P concentration but also by the dissolution of Ca-bound P and the hydrolysis of water-soluble organic P in the rhizosphere.     

Oligotrophic bacteria on organic debris and plant roots in a paddy field soil

The distribution of heterotrophic bacteria on organic debris and roots of rice plants in a paddy field were studied. The heterotrophic bacteria consisted of two main groups: those which grew on full-strength nutrient broth (NB) and those which did not grow on NB but on a 100-fold dilution of NB (DNB). The latter group was called ‘DNB organisms’ and were considered to be oligotrophic. In both manured and unmanured soils, DNB organisms were predominant in the bacterial communities on organic debris and the rice roots throughout most of the entire period of rice cultivation, although a transient decrease in the proportion of DNB organisms was observed immediately after an application of manure. Morphological and physiological characteristics of DNB isolates from organic debris and rice roots were studied: five types of cell shape were observed, (1) regular rods, (2) filament-forming rods, (3) irregular rods, (4) prosthecate organisms and (5) large oval cells. Regular rods (42% of the total DNB isolates) and irregular rods (46%) were abundant. The ecological roles of DNB organisms in paddy soil are discussed in relation to their physiological characteristics.     

Tissue architecture and soil fertility controls on decomposer communities and decomposition of roots

Using complementary techniques we observed great differences in decomposition of mono- and dicot roots (Festuca rubra L., red fescue grass and Trifolium pratense L., red clover) in compost and soil of varying fertility which we attribute both to chemical characteristics and differences in tissue architecture. In our study the lignin contents were equal for the root materials while C-to-N ratios and cellulose-to-lignin ratios were higher in fescue roots. Pictures taken with a scanning electron microscope (SEM) showed that the rippled surface of fescue roots appeared largely intact even after prolonged incubation giving scant support to predominantly cocci bacteria, where an angular grid structure on the surface of intact clover roots rapidly yielded. The clover root cavities became deeper over time and seemed a favourable nest for colonising rod shaped bacteria. In addition the nodules on clover roots were abundantly covered by decomposers early on. SEM pictures as well as bands of microbial DNA from polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE) on roots degraded in compost indicate that organisms colonising clover and fescue grass roots are inherently different and to a greater extent connected to the root material than the compost. Respiration data showed that soil fertility compared to root material played a smaller, albeit significant role in determining the decomposition pattern. There was no indication of N limitation in decomposition. On the contrary accumulated respiration was highest from infertile soils and had significantly lower T_½ compared to nutrient rich soils, most likely due to a higher maintenance respiration and lower substrate use efficiency of the decomposers. DGGE showed that infertile soils as well as recalcitrant material both led to a larger diversity of decomposers compared to fertile soils or easily degradable materials. All together this study demonstrated a positive relationship between microbial diversity and stress resulting in higher diversity in the recalcitrant the roots and the infertile soils.     

Effect of soil organic matter on peroxidase activity of wheat roots

Some soil organic matter fractions inhibited the peroxidase activity of wheat-root filtrates, but the effect was related to the enzyme hydrogen donor used. In the presence of o-dianisidine as the hydrogen donor, humic acid and the fractions obtained from it by water or acid refluxing inhibited the enzyme activity. The greatest effects were produced by those fractions which were insoluble after such treatments. The inhibitory effects were reversible and non-competitive, the Michaelis constant of the enzyme being only slightly affected, and independent of pH of the assay media. When guaiacol was used as the enzyme substrate the inhibitory effects of the humic acid and its fractions were variable and less marked.p-Coumaric and p-hydroxybenzoic acids inhibited peroxidase activity when o-dianisidine was used as substrate, but stimulated the enzyme in the presence of guaiacol. Polymaleic acid which is thought to have a similar structure to fulvic acid, inhibited peroxidase in the presence of both hydrogen donors. whereas fulvic acid was considerably less effective.     

Effect of plant roots on carbon metabolism of soil microbial biomass

The utilization of plant- and soil-C by the microbial biomass in the rhizosphere of maize plants was investigated as a function of root proximity. The plants were cultivated in pots with divided root chambers and their shoots supplied with ¹⁴CO₂ for 23 days. Subsequently the individual soil zones were analyzed for organic C, ¹⁴C, biomass C and biomass ¹⁴C. Plant roots induced a 197% increase in microbial biomass and a 5.4% decrease in soil organic C compared with an 1.2% decrease in the unplanted control soil. The contributions of plant- and soil-C to this increased microbial growth amounted to 68% and 32% respectively. Biomass-¹⁴C corresponded to 1.6% of the total photosynthetically fixed ¹⁴C, to about 15% of the organic ¹⁴C-input into the rhizosphere and to 58% of the plant carbon remaining in soil after the removal of roots. 20% of this biomass-¹⁴C was found outside the immediate root zone. These results demonstrate that growing roots are a significant C-source for the microbial biomass and render an additional fraction of soil-C available to microbial utilization. The efficiency of C-utilization by the rhizosphere biomass is lower than values obtained with liquid cultures in laboratory experiments. The supply of plant-C to the microbial biomass outside the immediate root vicinity indicates that the overall volume of the maize rhizosphere is greater than what has been supposed so far.     

Effect of active roots on the decomposition of soil organic materials

Summary The effect of one form of soil organic matter, such as living roots or root exudates on another form of soil organic matter, such as dead roots or incorporated litter and litter leachates, has been studied from various perspectives over the last 25 years. The effect seems to be either positive (priming) or negative (conserving). The present review concentrates on the conserving effect, measured as a decrease in ¹⁴CO₂ released, in both field and greenhouse/growth chamber studies. The field experiments suggested that certain physical conditions in the soil, such as less available moisture or restricted aeration which led to lower microbial activity, explained the conserving effect of living roots on soil organic matter. Although more detailed greenhouse/growth chamber studies confirmed the conserving effect per se, it appears that biological rather than physical factors could better explain the reduction in the rate of decomposition of ¹⁴C-labelled plant residues in the presence of roots. However, a complex picture has emerged through a variety of postulates, all proposed in attempts to explain the conserving effect. Finally, the most recent studies have argued that the decrease in decomposition of labelled organic matter in planted soil is probably more apparent than real. A decrease in respired ¹⁴CO₂ could be explained by an incorporation of ¹⁴C derived from old roots into the rhizosphere microbial populations of the living roots. To make any further progress on the fundamental question of how soil organic matter moves along its continuum from a living to a refractory state, the microenvironment needs to be examined at periodic intervals. New developments in improved histochemical and electron-probe microanalyses look promising.LRS Contribution no. 3878970