ISSN:
1432-0789
Keywords:
Fungal biomass
;
Respiration
;
Nutrient cycling
;
Microcosms
;
Grass litter
;
Onychiurus procampatus
;
Phoma exigua
;
Collembola
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Geosciences
,
Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
Notes:
Abstract Laboratory microcosms containing litter from three tussock grasslands were used to assess the impact of grazing by a collembolan, Onychiurus procampatus, on the abundance, nutrient release, and respiration of the saprotrophic fungus, Phoma exigua. The fungal biomass and respiration rate were significantly reduced only when Collembola were present in excess of mean field densities but perhaps more typical of spatial aggregations in the soil. A high efficiency of nutrient immobilization by P. exigua was demonstrated but nutrient release was not significantly affected by the fauna. Problems associated with the use of microcosms in the simulation of field conditions are discussed.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00369301
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