Heterotrophic N2-fixation in arid soil crusts |
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Authors: | Brian Klubek J. Skujiņš |
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Affiliation: | The Ecology Center and Department of Biology, U MC 55, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322, U.S.A. |
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Abstract: | The cryptogamic soil crusts of the Great Basin Artemisia, Ceratoides, and Atriplex plant communities contain a significant heterotrophic N2-fixing microbial population in addition to the predominating filamentous cyanobacteria. The bacterial association with the cyanobacteria exhibits a phycosphere-like effect. Heterotrophically fixed N gains reached 17.5 μg N· g?1 of soil (23.1% increase above the initial soil N content) and 45.9 μg N·g?1 of soil (57.4% increase) after 3 and 5 weeks, respectively. (NH4)2SO4 and native plant material amendments to soil resulted in a 41–100% reduction in N2-fixation. The potential input of N to soil crusts may be reduced in the presence of shrub-produced allelochemic agents and by concurrent denitrification. |
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