Ameliorating Effects of Fungus Chaff and Its Biochar on Soil Acidity

A biochar was generated from fungus chaff at 300 °C, and the ameliorating effects of fungus chaff and its biochar on an acidic Ultisol were compared using incubation experiments. Incorporation of fungus chaff and its biochar significantly increased soil pH and soil exchangeable base cations but decreased soil exchangeable acidity. The ameliorating effect was greater for the biochar than the fungus chaff, and thus the biochar was a better amendment for acidic soil than its feedstock of fungus chaff. The biochar ameliorated soil acidity mainly through the release of its contained alkaline substances, while fungus chaff increased pH of acidic soils through two mechanisms: release of alkaline substances and inhibition of soil nitrification. The incorporation of fungus chaff increased soil-available organic carbon and thus accelerated the microbial assimilation of inorganic nitrogen, while incorporation of fungus chaff biochar enhanced nitrification due to increased soil pH.     

Acidic deposition: What is fact,what is speculation,what is needed?

In this presentation research findings from the symposium and from the literature are utilized to examine some of the major hypotheses that link acidic deposition with impairment of forest health and productivity in central Europe and eastern North America. Although unequivocal evidence of acid rain damage may be lacking, there is a considerable body of knowledge that implicates air pollutants in recent interference with forest nutrition and health. The nature of the evidence and the inferences that can be drawn from it are still being vigorously debated. The problem of verifying the mechanisms by which air pollutants affect forests still remains. Reports that climatic irregularities have acted as inciting or triggering factors in forest declines are relevant to understanding regional damage. More emphasis on experimental studies that assess interactions of air pollutants and natural stresses with forests is needed.     

植物乳杆菌抑制黄曲霉活性代谢物的初步研究

植物乳杆菌（Lactobacillus plantarum）能够抑制黄曲霉生长,但起主要抑菌作用的物质尚未明确。该研究采用非靶向代谢组学技术比较分析了8株抑菌活性较好（S组）和8株抑菌活性较差（W组）的L. plantarum发酵上清液。结果显示,两组L. plantarum发酵上清液的代谢组存在显著差异（P<0.05）。通过数据库比对鉴定得到咪唑乙酸、酪氨酸等30个显著差异代谢物（P<0.05）,其中有机酸、脂肪酸等酸性物质较多为22个。通过与已报道的乳酸菌产生的抗真菌物质相比较,找到十八烷酸、吲哚乙酸等结构一致或结构类似物,表明上清液中酸性物质起主要的抑菌作用,且其抑菌活性依赖于低 pH 值的酸性环境。在L. plantarum产生的主要有机酸中,乳酸、乙酸、丙酸的抑菌活性良好,其抑制黄曲霉活性从大到小依次为丙酸、乙酸、乳酸。当乙酸浓度为2.64g/L、丙酸浓度为1.76 g/L时,可完全抑制浓度为106个/mL的黄曲霉孢子生长。综合表明,植物乳杆菌代谢物中有机酸和脂肪酸为主要抑菌物质,且抑菌活性随酸性物质浓度增大而增强。     

The lime–silicate question

Hikers passing through nature easily recognize that the vegetation on limestone (calcareous soils) and silicate (acidic soils) is very different. This is not so much the case with trees but with herbs, particularly in grasslands. These differences in the vegetation on both soil types, referred to as the lime–silicate question, were recognized as early as the 18th century. Even so, fairly little is known about why this occurs. The current paucity of information exists mainly because the determinants that govern the formation of plant communities on either lime or acid soils mainly reside below-ground, in the root-surface area, and these complex below-ground interactions are almost impossible to explore through experimental approaches and direct measurements. Element availability or toxicity and interactions with microorganisms are both equally important. The calcium cation, for example, is not only an essential growth component but can be severely toxic to plants in unbalanced concentrations. Plants also vary in their ability to acquire iron and phosphorus. Aluminium toxicity affects plant growth, particularly in acid soils, and acid-tolerant plants have acquired the capability to cope with high levels of Al in soils. Mainly saprophytic fungi serve to degrade litter in acid soils and liberate nutrients for plant growth. In calcareous soils, bacteria and small animals, such as earthworms and their inhabitant bacteria, are the main decomposers of litter and contribute significantly to the fertility of the soils. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) have a particularly significant role in calcareous soils, where they are believed to determine the competitiveness of plants in lime meadows. Physical factors also impact the different composition of plant communities in acid and calcareous soils.     

Zooplankton communities and acidification processes (a review)

A review of the literature which deals the with zooplankton of acid-stressed ecosystems revealed several strong patterns, weaker patterns, areas of controversy or inconsistency, and poorly understood but potentially important factors. Those patterns which are strong, but not necessarily universal, include a general response to short term pH shocks suggesting that daphnids are least tolerant followed by other cladocerans, copepods, and chaoborids. In addition, the numbers of both crustacean and rotifer species are decreased, and the importance of daphnids is reduced in acidic lakes, while limnetic hemipterans are greatly increased in acidic fishless lakes. Weaker patterns include reduced zooplankton biomass, reduced importance of cyclopoids, and increased representation of generalist species in acidic lakes, and intraspecies differences in pH tolerance indicating that populations of acid-stressed ecosystems are more tolerant. But, zooplankton biomass is apparently a result of system productivity as opposed to pH per se. Inconsistencies within the literature exist as to whether chaoborids are more abundant in acidic fishless lakes, the influence of physiological stress contra predation in determining community structure, the immediate response of the zooplankton to lake neutralization, and the toxicity of Al. The importance of metals, humic substances, and the fauna in determining community dynamics is poorly understood. Although both phyto- and zooplankton communities can be severely simplified in acidic lakes, the influence of the phytoplankton on the zooplankton, beyond the relation edible biomass vs zooplankton standing stock, in these ecosystems is unclear. From the literature it is apparent that direct physiological influences of acid-stress are important, but that indirect (biotic) influences and variables which correlate with pH are often as important if not more so to the zooplankton.     

Assessing Se cycling and toxicity in aquatic ecosystems

Toxic substances exert impacts on ecosystems at several levels: biogeochemical, toxicological, and populations/communities. Integrating exposure (biogeochemistry) and effects (toxicology) into an ecological context requires models as a necessary step to prediction and assessment of effects on populations and their interactions. To this end, research is being conducted to develop techniques for predicting the effects of Se on aquatic ecosystems. The objective is to develop mechanistic models to predict biogeochemical cycling, toxicological processes, and toxic effects on population and community dynamics. Earlier research demonstrated that different chemical forms of Se have different toxicological properties. Biogeochemical research culminated with a dynamic model of the Se cycle. In ongoing research, experiments are being conducted on microorganisms, phytoplankton, microzooplankton, zooplankton, benthic invertebrates, and fish to measure uptake, biotransformation, and depuration kinetics of different chemical forms of Se, transfer through the food web, and effects on growth, reproduction, community interactions, and survival. This information will provide the basis for the ecosystem effects model.     

金属离子在铁(氢)氧化物与腐殖质微界面上的吸附机理和模型研究进展

铁(氢)氧化物和腐殖质是广泛分布在土壤中的重要天然活性物质,因其具有较大的比表面积并且铁(氢)氧化物表面的-OH与腐殖质表面的-COOH、-OH等活性官能团可通过静电作用、配体交换等多种机制对重金属离子产生较强吸附,从而影响重金属离子在环境中的迁移、转化和生物效应。深入了解重金属离子在铁(氢)氧化物-腐殖质复合体微界面相互作用的分子机理,对于阐明重金属离子在环境中的迁移、转化过程具有重要意义。本文综述了金属离子在铁(氢)氧化物与腐殖质上吸附机理和模型的研究进展,为重金属污染土壤的风险评估和控制提供理论依据。     

A COMPARISON OF THE POLYCARBOXYLIC ACIDS EXTRACTED BY WATER FROM AN AGRICULTURAL TOP SOIL WITH THOSE EXTRACTED BY ALKALI

Humic and fulvic acids were isolated from an agricultural soil by conventional means. The same soil was extracted with water and the organic matter freed of inorganic and low molecular weight substances. The usual chemical differences between humic acid and fulvic acid were confirmed and the water extract was shown to resemble fulvic acid quite closely. Further fractionation of the fulvic acid and water extract showed that the elemental composition, carboxyl and acidic hydroxyl contents, molecular weights, and infrared spectra of the purified polycarboxylic acids were virtually identical. Both promoted the same growth response in cultured isolated tomato roots. It is suggested that the qualitative similarity of fulvic acid to the polycarboxylic acid extracted by water justifies the use of the more easily isolated fulvic acid in physiological experiments on the direct effects on plants of soil organic matter.     

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal hyphae enhance transport of the allelochemical juglone in the field

Allelopathy is a biological phenomenon where plants have harmful effects on growth of surrounding plants through the production of chemical substances. Here we focus on allelochemical processes which operate belowground, can influence plant interactions and therefore potentially affect plant community structure. Soil hyphae of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) may enhance transport processes in the soil matrix by providing direct connections between plants facilitating infochemical exchange.In a two-component field study we showed that soil hyphae likely play a crucial role in movement of allelochemicals in natural soils and greatly expand bioactive zones by providing effective transport pathways for chemical compounds. First, we tested the effects of Juglans regia leaf litter extract addition in intact or disrupted hyphal networks and simultaneously determined growth reducing effects on sensitive Lycopersicon lycopersicum plants. Second, we analyzed the effect of juglone on tomato by directly adding leaf litter. In both approaches we found an increase of juglone transport if a hyphal network was present, resulting in reduced growth of target plants.Our results, together with previous work, add to the body of evidence for hyphae of soil fungi playing an important role in the transfer of allelochemicals and effectively acting as transport highways in the field. We suggest that hyphal connections, mostly formed by AMF, increase the effectiveness of allelochemicals in natural systems and can play a crucial role in chemical interaction processes in the soil.     

Pharmaceutical antibiotic compounds in soils – a review

Antibiotics are highly effective, bioactive substances. As a result of their consumption, excretion, and persistence, they are disseminated mostly via excrements and enter the soils and other environmental compartments. Resulting residual concentrations in soils range from a few μg upto g kg^–1 and correspond to those found for pesticides. Numerous antibiotic molecules comprise of a non‐polar core combined with polar functional moieties. Many antibiotics are amphiphilic or amphoteric and ionize. However, physicochemical properties vary widely among compounds from the various structural classes. Existing analytical methods for environmental samples often combine an extraction with acidic buffered solvents and the use of LC‐MS for determination. In soils, adsorption of antibiotics to the organic and mineral exchange sites is mostly due to charge transfer and ion interactions and not to hydrophobic partitioning. Sorption is strongly influenced by the pH of the medium and governs the mobility and transport of the antibiotics. In particular for the strongly adsorbed antibiotics, fast leaching through soils by macropore or preferential transport facilitated by dissolved soil colloids seems to be the major transport process. Antibiotics of numerous classes are photodegraded. However, on soil surfaces this process if of minor influence. Compared to this, biotransformation yields a more effective degradation and inactivation of antibiotics. However, some metabolites still comprise of an antibiotic potency. Degradation of antibiotics is hampered by fixation to the soil matrix; persisting antibiotics were already determined in soils. Effects on soil organisms are very diverse, although all antibiotics are highly bioactive. The absence of effects might in parts be due to a lack of suitable test methods. However, dose and persistence time related effects especially on soil microorganisms are often observed that might cause shifts of the microbial community. Significant effects on soil fauna were only determined for anthelmintics. Due to the antibiotic effect, resistance in soil microorganisms can be provoked by antibiotics. Additionally, the administration of antibiotics mostly causes the formation of resistant microorganisms within the treated body. Hence, resistant microorganisms reach directly the soils with contaminated excrements. When pathogens are resistant or acquire resistance from commensal microorganisms via gene transfer, humans and animals are endangered to suffer from infections that cannot be treated with pharmacotherapy. The uptake into plants even of mobile antibiotics is small. However, effects on plant growth were determined for some species and antibiotics.     

Effect of soil humic substances on surface redox activity of oat roots

The effect of a low molecular weight (<5kDa, LMW) and a high molecular weight (>5kDa, HMW) humic fractions on surface redox activities of oat roots was studied. Oxidation of the electron donor NADH and reduction of the artificial electron acceptor ferricyanide [K3Fe(CN)6] exogenously supplied to the roots both alone or in combination, was measured in the presence or absence of soil humic substances. HMW humic fraction inhibited NADH oxidation either in the presence or absence of ferricyanide, while LMW humic fraction inhibited NADH: ferricyanide oxidoreductase activity due to the contemporary addition of the two redox compounds to the solution bathing the roots. NADH: ferricyanide oxido‐reduction was partially due to the release of substances from the roots. However, the presence of soil humic fractions (LMW or HMW) did not significantly modify this behaviour. Rather, the inhibitory effect of soil humic substances was even more evident when the oxidoreduction solely due to the root activity was considered. The results confirm the presence of multiple types of oxidoreductase activities at the surface of oat roots and show that the two humic fractions HMW and LMW may differently affect these activities. Partial inhibition of NADH oxidase activity is interpreted as a possible way of interference of humic substances with metabolic processes involved in cell wall formation. The effects on surface redox activities are discussed in terms of the role of soil humic substances in promotion of plant growth.     

Effects of ozone and acidic precipitation on the growth and photosynthesis of red spruce after two years of exposure

Although the agents responsible for the decline of red spruce on high elevation sites in the northeast are not known, 0₃ and acidic rain are considered to be possible contributing stresses. The research presented in this paper constitutes the second year of a 3-yr study to evaluate and quantify the influences of 03 and acidic precipitation on seedling red spruce. Two-year old red spruce seedlings were exposed to 0₃ at four levels (approximately 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 times ambient 03 concentration) and simulated acidic precipitation at three levels (pH 3.1, 4.1, and 5.1) in open-top chambers. The exposures occurred during June through October, 1988 after the seedlings had been exposed to the pollutants the previous year. At three intervals during the exposure period, seedlings were harvested and effects of the pollutant treatments were assessed by measuring the length of the 1988 terminal shoot, the number and length of branches, the dry mass of stems, needles, and roots, and rate of photosynthesis. There were no significant effects of 0₃ on any of the growth variables or on photosynthesis. There was a significant effect of pH on photosynthesis; rates of photosynthesis increased as acidity of the treatment increased. However, the higher rates of photosynthesis were not reflected in increased biomass of the seedlings. Significant 0₃ by pH interactions occurred for several growth variables.     

堆肥提取液中腐殖酸类物质能够显著促进黄瓜生长

The effects of direct extracts of compost (DEC), aerated fermentation extracts of compost (AFEC) and non-aerated fermentation extracts of compost (NAFEC) on cucumber growth and the action mechanisms were evaluated based on the structure and activity analysis of humic-like substances. AFEC increased cucumber growth most significantly, followed by DEC and NAFEC, which was insignificant compared to the control treatment. Humic-like substances from compost extracts played an important role in promoting cucumber growth. Application of humic-like substances stimulated auxin-like activity and increased chlorophyll content and nitrogen accumulation in plants. The positive auxin-like activity of humic-like substances could be attributed to the relative distribution of special carbon groups, such as those with a large amount of peptidic and carbohydratic groups or with a low content of phenolic groups. In conclusion, the best growth promotion by application of AFEC was mainly attributed to the humic-like substances in the AFEC.     

Biochar effects on soil biota - A review

Soil amendment with biochar is evaluated globally as a means to improve soil fertility and to mitigate climate change. However, the effects of biochar on soil biota have received much less attention than its effects on soil chemical properties. A review of the literature reveals a significant number of early studies on biochar-type materials as soil amendments either for managing pathogens, as inoculant carriers or for manipulative experiments to sorb signaling compounds or toxins. However, no studies exist in the soil biology literature that recognize the observed large variations of biochar physico-chemical properties. This shortcoming has hampered insight into mechanisms by which biochar influences soil microorganisms, fauna and plant roots. Additional factors limiting meaningful interpretation of many datasets are the clearly demonstrated sorption properties that interfere with standard extraction procedures for soil microbial biomass or enzyme assays, and the confounding effects of varying amounts of minerals. In most studies, microbial biomass has been found to increase as a result of biochar additions, with significant changes in microbial community composition and enzyme activities that may explain biogeochemical effects of biochar on element cycles, plant pathogens, and crop growth. Yet, very little is known about the mechanisms through which biochar affects microbial abundance and community composition. The effects of biochar on soil fauna are even less understood than its effects on microorganisms, apart from several notable studies on earthworms. It is clear, however, that sorption phenomena, pH and physical properties of biochars such as pore structure, surface area and mineral matter play important roles in determining how different biochars affect soil biota. Observations on microbial dynamics lead to the conclusion of a possible improved resource use due to co-location of various resources in and around biochars. Sorption and thereby inactivation of growth-inhibiting substances likely plays a role for increased abundance of soil biota. No evidence exists so far for direct negative effects of biochars on plant roots. Occasionally observed decreases in abundance of mycorrhizal fungi are likely caused by concomitant increases in nutrient availability, reducing the need for symbionts. In the short term, the release of a variety of organic molecules from fresh biochar may in some cases be responsible for increases or decreases in abundance and activity of soil biota. A road map for future biochar research must include a systematic appreciation of different biochar-types and basic manipulative experiments that unambiguously identify the interactions between biochar and soil biota.     

Non-enzymatic hydrolysis of fluorescein diacetate (FDA) in a Mediterranean oak (Quercus ilex L.) litter

We show the presence of interfering substances when the total microbial activity in litter samples is measured with fluorescein diacetate (FDA), and we propose some methodological modifications to avoid such interference. Three distinct litter layers (the OhLn, the OhLv and the OhLf) of evergreen oak (Quercus ilex L.) were characterized by ¹³C CPMAS NMR and the spectra show that the recalcitrant aromatic and phenolic compounds increase with the degree of degradation of litter. A wide range of sources of interference in the hydrolysis of FDA was found. To understand the origin of this interference, sterilized litter materials (i.e. γ‐irradiated or autoclaved) and a wide range of organic substances (i.e. amino acids, glucose, sorbitol and organic humic acids) were investigated. Insignificant differences on the FDA hydrolysis activity (FDA activity) were found in the γ‐irradiated and non‐irradiated OhLn litter, indicating that γ‐irradiation does not destroy enzymes. Conversely, after heat‐sterilization of litter, samples showed FDA activity corresponding to 60, 34.8 and 30.8% (in the OhLn, the OhLv and the OhLf layers, respectively) of that of control litters. This indicates the presence of non‐enzymatic interfering substances in the FDA assays. As the humification and litter depth increased, hydrolysis of FDA due to interferences decreased, indicating degradation and/or chelation of interfering substances. We hypothesize that lysine, arginine, histidine and cysteine are mainly responsible for the hydrolysis of FDA. We suggest that the use of phosphate buffer (50 mm , pH 7.0) with incubation < 30 minutes, in combination with a temperature between 30 and 40°C, produces insignificant interference in the determination of the final FDA activity in litter samples.     

The influence of soil pH on denitrification: progress towards the understanding of this interaction over the last 50 years

Results from the pioneering research on the interactions between pH and denitrification in soil from the 1950s to the present are reviewed, the changing perceptions of this complex relationship are discussed, and the current status of the subject is assessed. Facets of this relationship that are analysed in detail include the direct or indirect influence of pH on overall denitrification rates in soils, changes in the composition of gaseous products that depend on pH, methods for measuring the process, the concept of an optimum pH for denitrification, and the adaptation of microbial denitrifying communities to acidic environments. The main conclusions to be drawn are as follows. Total gaseous emissions to the atmosphere (N₂O, NO and N₂) have repeatedly been shown to be less in acidic than in neutral or slightly alkaline soils. This may be attributable to smaller amounts of organic carbon and mineral nitrogen available to the denitrifying population under acid conditions rather than a direct effect of low pH on denitrification enzymes. Numerous laboratory and field studies have demonstrated that the ratio N₂O:N₂ is increased when the pH of soils is reduced. The relation between soil pH and potential denitrification as determined by various incubation methods remains unclear, results being influenced both by original conditions in soil samples and by unknown changes during incubation. The concept of an optimum pH for denitrification has been frequently proposed, but such a term has little or no meaning without reference to specific attributes of the process.     

Effect of Microorganisms on the Sorption of Lanthanides by Quartz and Goethite at the Different pH Values

The effect of Rhodopseudomonas pallustris bacterium on the sorption of 16 isotopes of lanthanides by quartz and goethite at different pHs values was studied. pH of sorption solution and affinity of elements to surface seems to be most important parameters in the interactions between metal ions and surfaces of biological and mineral sorbents. At acidic (pH°4) and neutral (pH°7) conditions these interactions was affected by electrostatic forces; at alkaline conditions (pH°9) the mechanism of lanthanides precipitation was dominant. Microorganisms sufficiently affected on lanthanides sorption by quartz at acidic and neutral conditions, but largest one was at pH°7. They increased sorption of all elements by goethite at pH°4. There was negligible effect of bacteria on the sorption of lanthanides at pH°7 and 9 by goethite that demonstrates greater affinity of the elements to goethite surface. Microorganisms increased concentration of lanthanides in the nonexchangeable states on the surfaces of quartz at pH°7 and 9, and on the surface of goethite at pH°7 in comparison to the minerals alone. It may be attributed to formation of low-soluble complexes of lanthanides with organic substances, produced by bacterium.     

Possibility of Reductive Deactivation of S-Triazines and Parent Compounds on Waters and Sediments

Electrochemistry can be a valuable instrument to preserve the aquatic environment, first, by elucidating the oxidation-reduction mechanisms of substances having toxicological potential at laboratory scale; second, by aiding through extrapolation to comprise the evolution and fate in the environment of these pollutants and, finally, by establishing the basis of some electrochemical deactivation processes at industrial scale. In this way, this paper deals on studies of a type of highly pollutant substances for the aquatic media such as the S-triazines. The first part of the paper is focused to show the electrochemical reduction behavior of some S-triazines (eleven compounds have been studied). Later, the probable consequences at natural scale of these electroreductive processes are evaluated. Thus, the electrochemical reduction of diluted solutions of s-triazine herbicides and parent compounds takes place at potentials of ?0.90 to ?1.20 V, at very acidic pH values. The electroreduction products generated in all cases have loss the aromaticity and, depending on the compound, the chlorine atom or the –SCH₃ group. So, the resulting molecules present lower toxicity than the original compounds. For this reason, the electroreductive way can be an efficient option for the detoxification of S-triazine polluted waters. On the other hand, the natural deactivation of the s-triazines present in natural waters, in addition to the conventional photooxidative route taking place in well illuminated and oxygenated waters, could take place through the reductive process when the waters are essentially anoxic, acidic, and rich in suspended materials. This natural reduction, moreover, could favour the later oxidation or metabolization of the byproducts emanating of the original plaguicides. Finally, the reduction of S-triazines, both forced (industrial water depuration via electrochemical reduction) and no forced (natural aquatic media) requires more negative redox potentials, that is, more reductive environments as the molecules become more complex.     

Who hits and hoots at whom? Potential for interference competition between barred and northern spotted owls

The northern spotted owl (Strix occidentalis caurina) is a controversial species in the Pacific Northwest that is listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. The barred owl (Strix varia), a species historically restricted to eastern North America, has recently expanded its range to completely overlap that of the northern spotted owl. Recent evidence suggests that barred owls may compete with northern spotted owls and may be one cause for recent declines in some northern spotted owl populations. Our focus was to examine whether barred owls have the potential to competitively exclude northern spotted owls from their territories through interference competition. We used a playback experiment to quantify aggressive vocal and physical behavior of barred and northern spotted owls during territorial defense. Experimental trials consisted of displaying northern spotted or barred owl taxidermy mounts, and broadcasting recorded vocalizations of the corresponding species, in both barred and northern spotted owl territories. The frequency of interspecific interactions was lower compared to intraspecific interactions between northern spotted owls alone. However, barred owls responded with higher levels of vocal and physical aggression than did northern spotted owls when agonistic interspecific interactions occurred. Our results suggest that barred owls are likely to assume the dominant role during interspecific interactions with northern spotted owls. Thus, interference competition is a plausible mechanism by which barred owls could contribute to observed population declines of northern spotted owls in areas where the species co-occur.     

Soil–root cross‐talking: The role of humic substances

The biological activity of humic substances (HS) has been elucidated in the last 40 years. Growth enhancement from HS has been demonstrated in several plants in the laboratory and the field. Morphogenesis effects have also been investigated and include induction of lateral root formation and root hair initiation in intact plants and stimulation of root and shoot development in treated cell calluses. HS enhance nutrient use efficiency, aiding assimilation of both macro and microelements and promoting plant growth by the induction of carbon, nitrogen, and secondary metabolism. The review aims are to: (1) shed light on the mechanism by which plants “talk” with soil through humic substances, (2) elucidate the plant responses to the stimulatory effects of HS, the regulatory circuits that allow plants to cope with humus, and the feedback between plant community structures, and (3) show (in light of recent debate about the alkaline extraction of soil humic substances) the plant capability to acquire biologically active substances from soil. It will be shown that plants modify soils, creating and maintaining favorable habitats for growth and survival. Therefore, organic substances exuded by roots are not a wasteful loss of carbon and energy. They represent an evolved strategy by which plants “talk” to the soil. The mobilization of bioactive organic/humic substances from bulk soil or bulk humus is critical to plant and soil health.