Development of microorganisms in the chernozem under aerobic and anaerobic conditions

A microbial succession was studied under aerobic and anaerobic conditions by means of experiments with microcosms in different horizons of a chernozem. It was revealed that, under aerobic conditions, all the microorganisms grow irrespective of the soil horizon; fungi and bacteria grow at the first succession stages, and actinomycetes grow at the last stages. It was shown that, in the case of a simulated anaerobiosis commonly used to study anaerobic populations of bacteria, the mycelium of micromycetes grows in the upper part of the chernozem’s A horizon. Under anaerobic conditions, the peak of the mycelium development is shifted from the 3rd to 7th days (typical for aerobic conditions) to the 7th to 15th days of incubation. The level of mycelium length’s stabilization under aerobic and anaerobic conditions also differs: it is higher or lower than the initial one, respectively. Under anaerobic conditions, the growth of fungal mycelium, bacteria, and actinomycetes in the lower part of the A horizon and in the B horizon is extremely weak. There was not any observed growth of actinomycetes in all the chernozem’s horizons under anaerobic conditions.     

Microbial destruction of chitin in different soils

Chitinolytic prokaryotic and eukaryotic complexes were studied in the course of succession initiated by an introduction of chitin and moistening of the soil. An increase in the number and biomass of chitinolytic microorganisms and stronger carbon dioxide emission were observed in the experimental variants with chitin as compared with the control without chitin. The increase was recorded for the prokaryotes (actinomycetes and bacteria) and not due to the eukaryotes in the course of the succession initiated by chitin. It was first found that the chitinolytic actinomycetal complex in an ordinary chernozem has a specific taxonomic structure. The representatives of the Streptosporangium genus were the dominating actinomycetes in the chitinolytic complex.     

白浆土微生物学特性和生物学活性的研究

本研究报道了白浆土垦植前后不同肥力耕层土壤细菌、放线菌和真菌数量;芽孢杆菌、真菌和好气纤维素细菌的优势组成;土壤接触酶、转化酶和脲酶活性,以及纤维素分解率和呼吸活性,并检测了固氮菌的拮抗生物活性。研究表明,耕作层(黑土层)下亚表层土壤的不良农化和生物学性状,通过不变动土壤层次,以大量有机能源物质并配合无机肥料一次富集于该土层中,可迅速强化该层土壤生物学活性,并达到改善其土体构型的目的。     

Succession of microbiota estimated by phospholipid fatty acid analysis and changes in organic constituents during the composting process of rice straw

The succession of responsible microbiota during the composting process of rice straw (RS) was studied for 145 d in relation to the changes in the organic constituents of RS. During the composting process, the C / N ratio of RS decreased from 56 to 22. On a C basis, the relative contents of lipid, water-soluble organic matter (WSOM), hemicellulose, cellulose, and lignin fractions in RS changed from 5.6, 8.9, 32.9, 17.9, and 34.0%, to 7.3, 5.8, 30.7, 3.8, and 51.1%, respectively, indicating that the cellulose fraction was mainly decomposed in the composting process. Biomass C accounted for 18.3% (on day 75 when the total amount of phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAs) reached a peak) and 11.5% (at the end of composting) of the total C of RS under the composting process. As for PLFAs, the biomarkers of fungi and Gram-negative bacteria predominated in the RS material used. At the thermophilic stage (the first 2 weeks), biomarkers of Gram-positive bacteria and actinomycetes predominated. After the thermophilic stage, biomarkers of other Gram-positive bacteria became dominant. Finally, at the curing stage, the proportion of the biomarkers of Gram-negative bacteria and eukaryotes increased, indicating the co-contribution of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and fungi in the decomposition process at this stage. The trans / cis ratio of 16 : 1ω7 PLFA of RS under the composting process ranged from 0.18 to 0.30, indicating that the composting process of RS prepared a significantly lower environmental stress (p < 0.01) compared to the decomposition of RS in a submerged paddy soil.     

Population and biomass of microorganisms in soils of pyrogenic succession in the northern taiga pine forests

In the organic horizons of the Al-Fe-humus podzols under the old pine forests of the northern taiga, the biomass of all the groups of microorganisms, the length of the fungal and actinomycete mycelium, the number of fungal spores, and the bacterial population were maximal (13 mg/g) irrespectively of the stage of pyrogenic succession. The share of fungi (mainly, of basidiomycetes) exceeded 90%. In the mineral root-inhabited soil horizons, the biomass of microorganisms was not greater than 1.0 mg/g. The soil under the lichen pine forest had the smallest biomass of microorganisms as compared to the soil under the pine forests that were not exposed to fire for a long time. At all the stages of the pyrogenic succession, the most favorable conditions for the functioning of microorganisms were in the root-inhabited horizons of the soils in near-stem sites due to the accumulation of nutrients there. In the soils of these zones, the basidiomycete biomass was greater than that in the soils of the gaps. In the mineral soil horizons, buckleless micromycetes demonstrated the same trend. No distinct parcella differences, with respect to the soil nutrient regime, were found only for the prokaryotes. The fungi in the Al-Fe-humus podzols may be used as indicators for the pyrogenic succession stages of forest ecosystems. At the early stages, micromycetes without buckles prevailed, and, in the course of succession, the share of basidiomycetes clearly increased. The density and structure of mycorrhiza were tightly related to the nutrient regime of the soils. The increase in the concentration of available biogenic elements in the root-inhabited soil horizons did not cause the necessity of developing complex mycorrhiza forms.     

Transformation of old-plowed gray forest soils under the influence of differently aged pine forests in the middle Angara River region

The long-term (55–85 years) influence of pine forests on old-plowed gray forest soils (in the middle Angara River basin) has been reflected in the character of the biological cycle and intensity of the biological processes. The population of actinomycetes decreased, and that of fungi increased, within the whole profiles of these soils. The soil profiles became more differentiated according to eluvial-illuvial types. The thickness of the humus (former plowed) horizons decreased. The thicker differently decomposed litter with the abundant fungal mycelium was formed. The most conservative were relic morphological characteristics: plow sole, humus tongues, and the illuvial-metamorphic horizon.     

Psychrotolerant actinomycetes of plants and organic horizons in tundra and taiga soils

It has been revealed that in organic horizons and plants of the tundra and taiga ecosystems under low temperatures, actinomycetal complexes form. The population density of psychrotolerant actinomycetes in organic horizons and plants reaches tens and hundreds of thousands CFU/g of substrate or soil, and decreases in the sequence litters > plants > soils > undecomposed plant remains > moss growths. The mycelium length of psychrotolerant actinomycetes reaches 220 m/g of substrate. Application of the FISH method has demonstrated that metabolically active psychrotolerant bacteria of the phylum Actinobacteria constitute 30% of all metabolically active psychrotolerant representatives of the Bacterià domain of the prokaryotic microbial community of soils and plants. Psychrotolerant actinomycetes in tundra and taiga ecosystems possess antimicrobial properties.     

Microbial destruction of chitin in soils under different moisture conditions

The most favorable moisture conditions for the microbial destruction of chitin in soils are close to the total water capacity. The water content has the most pronounced effect on chitin destruction in soils in comparison with other studied substrates. It was found using gas-chromatographic and luminescent-microscopic methods that the maximum specific activity of the respiration of the chitinolytic community was at a rather low redox potential with the soil moisture close to the total water capacity. The range of moisture values under which the most intense microbial transformation of chitin occurred was wider in clayey and clay loamy soils as compared with sandy ones. The increase was observed due to the contribution of mycelial bacteria and actinomycetes in the chitinolytic complex as the soil moisture increased.     

Rhizosphere micro-organisms of seminal and nodal roots of wheat grown in pots

Wheat grown in Gabalong soil was examined for the microflora of its seminal and nodal root systems of similar age. At all stages of sampling, the seminal roots were found to support a significantly-larger population of bacteria, actinomycetes and fungi in their rhizosphere than the nodal roots. The seminal roots had higher numbers of bacteria and actinomycetes in their residues, but fungal numbers were not significantly different. The “rhizosphere effects” of the two root systems, in the combined analysis, were significantly different only for fungi. An interesting trend on both root systems was that while the numbers of bacteria, actinomycetes and fungi in the rhizosphere decreased with root age, their numbers in the residue increased with age.     

Microbial Population Dynamics and Enzyme Activities During Composting

The changes in population size of different microbial groups (total aerobic heterotrophs, actinomycetes, fungi, fecal coliforms, ammonium- and nitrite-oxidizing bacteria, and denitrifying bacteria) and the activities of 19 different enzymes (three phosphatases, three esterases, two proteases, three amino-peptidases, and eight glycosyl-hydrolases) were examined during cocomposting of poultry litter (a mixture of poultry manure, waste feed, feathers, and wood shavings) and yard trimmings (a mixture of grass clippings, leaves, and wood barks). Three piles with forced aeration were established by mixing 2:1 (v/v) ratio of poultry litter and yard trimmings. During composting, samples were taken at three different locations (top, middle, and bottom) of the forced aeration piles for microbial and enzyme analyses. Results demonstrated that population size of different microbial groups was not a limiting factor in this composting process as the microorganisms in the poultry litter + yard trimmings compost are in great abundance. Although the numbers of these microbial groups were reduced by high temperature, their populations multiplied rapidly as composting progressed. Fecal coliforms were eliminated by day 49, suggesting that the poultry litter + yard trimmings compost showed an overall increase in diversity and relative abundance of extracellular enzymes present as composting progressed. The population of fungi and actinomycetes (microorganisms active in degradation of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin) were positively correlated with esterase, valine amino-peptidase, α-galactosidase, β-glucosidase, and lipase. Of all 19 enzymes examined, ß-galactosidase (enzyme involved in the hydrolysis of lactose) had the most significant positive correlation with microbial populations, such as total aerobic heterotrophs, ammonium- and nitrite-oxidizing bacteria, denitrifying bacteria, and fecal coliforms. Cystine amino peptidase, chymotrypsin, and trypsin showed no evidence of activity during the entire period of composting. This composting process represented a combined activity of a wide succession of environments in the compost pile as one microbial group/enzyme overlapped the other and each emerged gradually as a result of the continual change in temperature as well as moisture content, O₂ and CO₂ level, and progressive breakdown of complex compounds to simpler ones.     

Functioning of microbial complexes in aerated layers of a highmoor peat bog

Monitoring was carried out using the luminescent-microscopic method of the abundance parameters of different groups of microorganisms in a monolith and in the mixed layers of a highmoor peat bog (oligotrophic residual-eutrophic peat soil) in a year-long model experiment. The increase of the aeration as a result of mixing of the layers enhanced the activity of the soil fungi. This was attested to by the following changes: the increase of the fungal mycelium length by 6 times and of the fungal biomass by 4 times and the double decrease of the fraction of spores in the fungal complex. The response of the fungal complex to mixing was different in the different layers of the peat bog. The maximal effect was observed in the T1 layer and the minimal one in the T2 layer. The emission of CO₂ in the mixed samples was 1.5–2 times higher than that from the undisturbed peat samples. In contrast with the fungi, the bacteria and actinomycetes were not affected by the aeration of the highmoor layers.     

The microbial transformation of fungal mycelium as the predecessor of humic acids

This work includes investigation of microbial decomposition of fungal mycelium by pure and mixed bacteria cultures. The decomposition of mycelium is estimated according to CO₂ emission activity by gas chromatography and the change in the quantity of bacterial cells by luminescence microscopy. A comparative stability of fungal melanin to microbial destruction is found. It is shown that fungal mycelium was decomposed first mainly by a native complex of microorganisms and later by gram-positive bacteria. In two months of laboratory work, the fungal biomass decomposed by 25–37%. The results of our research verify the possibility of including melanin in humic acids.     

Bacteria sizes in a chernozem as recorded in the course of the microbial succession with the soil incubation under aerobic and anaerobic conditions

The size of the bacteria in different layers and horizons of an arable typical chernozem in the course of the microbial succession under aerobic and anaerobic conditions of incubation was studied. Bacteria with sizes of ??0.23 and ??0.38 ??m predominated under the aerobic conditions; in the anaerobic conditions, their sizes were ??0.17, ??0.23, and ??0.38 ??m. Thus, under anaerobic conditions, the number of bacteria becomes greater at the expense of the increase of their fine forms. The bacterial biomass was the highest (16 ??g/g soil) in the B horizon under the anaerobic conditions, probably, due to the greater number of fine bacterial forms developing in these conditions in nature. In the A horizon under the anaerobic conditions, the bacterial biomass was somewhat lower (12 ??g/g soil) probably because of the high bacterial diversity there. All the soil bacteria were proved to have a size ranging within ??0.43-0.17 ??m.     

Methane production and growth of microorganisms under different moisture conditions in soils with added chitin and without it

The limits of soil moisture providing the possibility of methane production and growth of microorganisms in soils with added chitin and without it were determined. Samples of gray forest, soddy-podzolic, gley taiga, chestnut, and chernozemic soils were studied. It was found that methane emission increases significantly under a high soil moisture content in the presence of chitin. The increase of the soil moisture up to the maximum water-holding capacity enhanced the emission of methane by two-six times. The dynamics of the methane emission from the soils in the course of microbial successions initiated by the addition of chitin or by the soil moistening to different levels were studied by the gas-chromatographic method. The population density and biomass of fungal, bacterial, and actinomycetic complexes under different moister levels were studied by the method of luminescent microscopy. It was determined that many microorganisms participate in the transformation of chitin in the soil under conditions of oxygen deficiency (upon the increased moisture content). Prokaryotes dominated by actinomycetes were the group that increased its biomass most actively (the biomass doubling took place).     

Microbial aggregation of sand in a maritime dune succession

Aggregation of sand by microorganisms was assessed in a dune succession ranging from unstable foredunes to stable fixed dunes. The microorganisms isolated from aggregates were fungi, bacteria, actinomycetes and algae, including cyanobacteria. Aggregation increased as the dunes became stabilized and the higher plant succession developed. The number and weight of aggregates were interrelated and most aggregates were in the > 1 <1.4 and > 2 mm ranges. The smaller aggregates were colonized by fewer fungal species than the larger ones. The general aspects of microbial aggregation in sand dunes are discussed.     

Structural-functional specificity of the complexes of psychrotolerant soil actinomycetes

The active growth and development of psychrotolerant actinomycetes take place in peat and podzolic soils of the tundra and taiga at temperatures below 10°C. The population density of psychrotolerant mycelial prokaryotes in these soils reaches thousands and tens of thousands of CFU/g of soil, and the length of their mycelium is up to 380 m/g of soil. The application of fluorescent in situ hybridization (the FISH method) demonstrated that the metabolically active psychrotolerant representatives of the phylogenetic group of Actinobacteria comprise up to 30% of the total number of bacteria in prokaryotic microbial communities of oligotrophic peat bog and podzolic soils. The portion of metabolically active mycelial actinobacteria exceeds the portion of unicellular actinobacteria. Psychrotolerant streptomycetes isolated from peat bog soils possess pectinolytic, amylolytic, and antagonistic activities at low temperatures (5°C).     

Response of the chitinolytic microbial community to chitin amendments of dune soils

 The dynamics of culturable chitin-degrading microorganisms were studied during a 16-week incubation of chitin-amended coastal dune soils that differed in acidity. Soil samples were incubated at normal (5% w/w) and high (15% w/w) moisture levels. More than half of the added chitin was decomposed within 4 weeks of incubation in most soils. This rapid degradation was most likely due to fast-growing chitinolytic fungi (mainly Mortierella spp. and Fusarium spp.) at both moisture levels, as dense hyphal networks of these fungi were observed during the first 4 weeks of incubation. Chitin N mineralization was inhibited by cycloheximide, and fast-growing fungal isolates were capable of rapid chitin decomposition in sterile sand, further suggesting that these fungi play an important role in initial chitin degradation. The strong increase in fast-growing fungi in chitin-amended dune soils was only detected by direct observation. Plate counts and microscopic quantification of stained hyphae failed to reveal such an increase. During the first part of the incubation, numbers of unicellular chitinolytic bacteria also increased, but their contribution to chitin degradation was indicated to be of minor importance. During prolonged incubation, colony forming units (CFU) of chitinolytic streptomycetes and/or slow-growing fungi increased strongly in several soils, especially at the 5% moisture level. Hence, the general trend observed was a succession from fast-growing fungi and unicellular bacteria to actinomycetes and slow-growing fungi. Yet, the composition of chitinolytic CFU over time differed strongly between chitin-amended dune soils, and also between the two moisture levels. These differences could not be attributed to pH, organic matter or initial microbial composition. The possible consequence of such unpredictable variation in microbial community composition for the use of chitin-amendments as a biocontrol measure is discussed. Received: 10 March 1998     

Specificity of some soil characteristics in the rhizosphere of fir trees in the AEL horizon of podzolic soil

The total number of bacteria, the length of the fungal mycelium, and some chemical properties are evaluated in the rhizosphere of fir (Picea abies) trees and out of the rhizosphere zone in the AEL horizon of podzolic soil in the Central Forest State Nature Biosphere Reserve (CFSNBR). In the rhizosphere soil, the total number of bacteria is found to be 1.5 times greater and the fungal mycelium length two times greater than in the soil outside of the rhizosphere. The rhizosphere soil is characterized by consistently higher content of C _org in the whole soil and in the clay and fine silt fractions due to the increase in microbial biomass and the continuous supply of organic substances from dead cells and root exudates. The rhizosphere soil has consistently lower values of pH in water and salt extracts and higher values of exchangeable acidity because of the more active functioning of soil biota and the input of protons with root exudates. The content of exchangeable potassium in the rhizosphere is higher than in the nonrhizosphere soil. This difference can be explained by the increase in potassium mobility in the illite–expandable minerals buffer system under more acid conditions and more active functioning of biota.     

Moderately haloalkaliphilic actinomycetes in salt-affected soils

It was found that the population density of actinomycetes in solonchaks and saline desert soils varied from hundreds to tens of thousands of colony-forming units (CFUs) per 1 g of soil depending on soil type and was by 1–3 orders of magnitude lower than the number of mycelial bacteria in main soil types. Actinomycetes grow actively in saline soils, and the length of their mycelium reaches 140 m per 1 g of soil. Domination of moderately halophilic, alkaliphilic, and haloalkaliphilic actinomycetes, which grow well under 5% NaCl and pH 8–9, is a specific feature of actinomycetal complexes in saline soils. Representatives of Streptomyces and Micromonospora genera were found among the haloalkaliphilic actinomycetes. Micromonospores demonstrated lower (than streptomycetes) adaptability to high salt concentrations. Investigation of the phylogenetic position of isolated dominant haloalkaliphilic strains of streptomycetes performed on the basis of sequencing of the gene 16S rRNA enabled identifying these strains as Streptomyces pluricolorescens and S. prunicolor.     

Selective consumption and digestion of litter microbes by Porcellio scaber (Isopoda: Oniscidea)

In feeding preference tests with artificial diets consisting of food sources inoculated with different types of litter microbes, Porcellio scaber was capable of discriminating between different microbe species. Generally, microbial colonisation increased the attractiveness of a given food source, in particular, when the food source was of low quality (cellulose) and when food sources were inoculated with single species of actinomycetes (Streptomyces celluloflavus or Pseudonocardia autotrophica). In most cases, actinomycetes (Gram-positive bacteria) were preferred over both Gram-negative bacteria and fungi, whether or not these microbes exhibited cellulolytic activity. Enzymatic in vitro digestion of both the Gram-positive S. celluloflavus and P. autotrophica was significantly greater than that of Gram-negative bacteria (Pseudomonas fluorescens and Myxococcus xanthus) or fungi (Chaetomium globosum and Fusarium ventricosum). S. celluloflavus biomass was more effectively incorporated into isopod biomass than that of fungi and Gram-negative bacteria; P. autotrophica was more effectively incorporated into isopod biomass than that of Gram-negative bacteria. Based on these results, we hypothesise that P. scaber preferentially feeds on those microbes that it can readily digest. Whether this holds true for other Gram-positive bacteria or for other detritivores awaits investigation.