ISSN:
1432-0789
Keywords:
Key words Phospholipid fatty acids
;
Substrate-induced respiration
;
Fungi
;
Bacteria
;
Sheep-grazing
;
Fertiliser
;
Lime
;
Microbial biomass
;
Soil
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Geosciences
,
Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
Notes:
Abstract In this study we examined the effect on soil fungal:bacterial biomass ratios of withholding fertiliser, lime, and sheep-grazing from reseeded upland grassland. The cessation of fertiliser applications on limed and grazed grassland resulted in a reduction in soil pH from 5.4 to 5.1. The cessation of fertiliser applications and liming on grazed grassland resulted in a fall in pH from 5.4 to 4.7, whereas withholding fertiliser and lime and the removal of grazing resulted in a further reduction to pH 4.5. Substrate-induced respiration was reduced in the unfertilised grazed (21%; P〈0.01) and unfertilised ungrazed (36%; P〈0.001) treatments. Bacterial substrate-induced respiration and bacterial fatty acids were unaffected by the treatments. The relative abundance of the fungal fatty acid 18:2ω6 increased by 39 and 72% (P〈0.05) in the limed grazed and unfertilised grazed treatments, respectively. Fungal substrate-induced respiration increased in the limed grazed (18%) and unfertilised grazed (65%; P〈0.05) treatments. The ratio of 18:2ω6: bacterial fatty acids was correlated with the ratio of fungal:bacterial substrate-induced respiration (r=0.69; P〈0.001).
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00382522
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