ISSN:
1432-0789
Keywords:
Keywords Fungi
;
Basidiomycete
;
Saprophytic lignin-decomposing basidiomycete
;
Soil aggregation
;
Water-stable aggregate
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Geosciences
,
Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
Notes:
Abstract We studied the effects of a saprophytic lignin-decomposing basidiomycete isolated from plant litter on soil aggregation and stabilization. The basidiomycete produced large quantities of extracellular materials that bind soil particles into aggregates. These binding agents are water-insoluble and heat-resistant. Water stability of aggregates amended with the fungus and the degrees of biodegradation of the binding agents by native soil microorganisms were determined by the wet-sieving method. The data demonstrated that aggregates supplemented with a source of C (millet or lentil straw) were much more water-stable and resisted microbial decomposition longer than when they were prepared with fungal homogenates alone. Moreover, retrieval of fungal-amended aggregates supplemented with millet during the first 4 weeks of incubation in natural soil exhibited more large aggregate fractions (〉2 mm) than the ones supplemented with lentil straw. The possible relationship of the role of basidiomycetes in litter decomposition and soil aggregation is discussed.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s003740000263
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