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The measurement of soil fungal:bacterial biomass ratios as an indicator of ecosystem self-regulation in temperate meadow grasslands (1999)

Bardgett, Richard D. ; McAlister, Erica

Springer

Biology and fertility of soils 29 (1999), S. 282-290

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ISSN: 1432-0789

Keywords: Key words Grasslands ; Management ; Microbial biomass ; Bacteria ; Fungi ; Nitrogen

Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000

Topics: Biology , Geosciences , Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition

Notes: Abstract There is much interest in the development of agricultural land management strategies aimed at enhancing reliance on ecosystem self-regulation rather than on artificial inputs such as fertilisers and pesticides. This study tested the usefulness of measures of soil microbial biomass and fungal:bacterial biomass ratios as indicators of effective conversion from an intensive grassland system, reliant mainly on fertilisers for crop nutrition, to a low-input system reliant mainly on self-regulation through soil biological pathways of nutrient turnover. Analysis of soils from a wide range of meadow grassland sites in northern England, along a gradient of long-term management intensity, showed that fungal:bacterial biomass ratios (measured by phospholipid fatty acid analysis; PLFA) were consistently and significantly higher in the unfertilised than the fertilised grasslands. There was also some evidence that microbial biomass, measured by chloroform fumigation and total PLFA, was higher in the unfertilised than in the fertilised grasslands. It was also found that levels of inorganic nitrogen (N), in particular nitrate-N, were significantly higher in the fertilised than in the unfertilised grasslands. However, microbial activity, measured as basal respiration, did not differ between the sites. A field manipulation trial was conducted to determine whether the reinstatement of traditional management on an improved mesotrophic grassland, for 6 years, resulted in similar changes in the soil microbial community. It was found that neither the cessation of fertiliser applications nor changes in cutting and grazing management significantly affected soil microbial biomass or the fungal:bacterial biomass ratio. It is suggested that the lack of effects on the soil microbial community may be related to high residual fertility caused by retention of fertiliser N in the soil. On the basis of these results it is recommended that following the reinstatement of low-input management, the measurement of a significant increase in the soil fungal:bacterial biomass ratio, and perhaps total microbial biomass, may be an indicator of successful conversion to a grassland system reliant of self-regulation.

Type of Medium: Electronic Resource

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s003740050554

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Interaction of biochemical quality and particle size of crop residues and its effect on the microbial biomass and nitrogen dynamics following incorporation into soil (1999)

Bending, G. D. ; Turner, Mary K.

Springer

Biology and fertility of soils 29 (1999), S. 319-327

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ISSN: 1432-0789

Keywords: Key words Crop residues ; Biochemical quality ; Particle size ; Nitrogen cycling ; Microbial biomass

Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000

Topics: Biology , Geosciences , Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition

Notes: Abstract Mineralization of N from organic materials added to soil depends on the quality of the substrate as a carbon, energy and nutrient source for the saprophytic microflora. Quality reflects a combination of biochemical and physical attributes. We investigated how biochemical composition interacts with particle size to affect the soil microflora and N dynamics following incorporation of crop residues into soil. Four fresh shoot and root crop residues were cut into coarse and fine particle sizes, and incorporated into sandy-loam soil which was incubated under controlled environment conditions for 6 months. In the case of the highest biochemical quality material, potato shoot (C/N ratio of 10 : 1), particle size had no effect on microbial respiration or net N mineralization. For lower biochemical quality Brussels sprout shoot (C/N ratio of 15 : 1), reducing particle size caused microbial respiration to peak earlier and increased net mineralization of N during the early stages of decomposition, but reduced net N mineralization at later stages. However, for the lowest biochemical quality residues, rye grass roots (C/N ratio of 38 : 1) and straw (C/N ratio of 91 : 1) reducing particle size caused microbial respiration to peak later and increased net immobilization of N. For Brussels sprout shoot, reducing particle size decreased the C content and the C/N ratio of residue-derived light fraction organic matter (LFOM) 2 months following incorporation. However C and N content of LFOM derived from the other materials was not affected by particle size. For materials of all qualities, particle size had little effect on biomass N. We conclude that the impact of particle size on soil microbial activities, and the protection of senescent microbial tissues from microbial attack, is dependant on the biochemical quality of the substrate.

Type of Medium: Electronic Resource

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s003740050559

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3

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Carbon additions increase nitrogen availability in northern hardwood forest soils (1999)

Groffman, P. M.

Springer

Biology and fertility of soils 29 (1999), S. 430-433

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ISSN: 1432-0789

Keywords: Key words Carbon ; Nitrogen ; Microbial biomass ; Mineralization ; Respiration

Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000

Topics: Biology , Geosciences , Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition

Notes: Abstract The effects of acetate additions to northern hardwood forest soils on microbial biomass carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) content, soil inorganic N levels, respirable C and potential net N mineralization and nitrification were evaluated. The experiment was relevant to a potential watershed-scale calcium (Ca) addition that aims to replace Ca depleted by long-term exposure to acid rain. One option for this addition is to use calcium-magnesium (Mg) acetate, a compound that is inexpensive and much more readily soluble than the Ca carbonate that is generally used for large-scale liming. Field plots were treated with sodium (NA) acetate, Na bicarbonate or water (control) and were sampled (forest floor – Oe and Oa combined) 2, 10 and 58 days following application. It was expected that the addition of C would lead to an increase in biomass C and N and a decrease in inorganic N. Instead, we observed no effect on biomass C, a decline in biomass N and an increase in N availability. One possible explanation for our surprising results is that the C addition stimulated microbial activity but not growth. A second, and more likely, explanation for our results is that the C addition did stimulate microbial growth and activity, but there was no increase in microbial biomass due to predation of the new biomass by soil fauna. The results confirm the emerging realization that the effects of increases in the flow of C to soils, either by deliberate addition or from changes in atmospheric CO2, are more complex than would be expected from a simple C : N ratio analysis. Evaluations of large-scale manipulations of forest soils to ameliorate effects of atmospheric deposition or to dispose of wastes should consider microbial and faunal dynamics in considerable detail.

Type of Medium: Electronic Resource

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s003740050576

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Comparing microbial biomass, denitrification enzyme activity, and numbers of nitrifiers in the rhizospheres of Pinus sylvestris, Picea abies and Betula pendula seedlings by microscale methods (1999)

Priha, O. ; Hallantie, T. ; Smolander, A.

Springer

Biology and fertility of soils 30 (1999), S. 14-19

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ISSN: 1432-0789

Keywords: Key words Tree species ; Rhizosphere ; Microbial biomass ; Denitrification enzyme activity ; Autotrophic nitrifiers

Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000

Topics: Biology , Geosciences , Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition

Notes: Abstract Flushes of C and N from fumigation-extraction (FE-C and FE-N, respectively), substrate-induced respiration (SIR), denitrification enzyme activity (DEA) and numbers of NH4 + and NO2 – oxidizers were studied in the rhizospheres of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), Norway spruce [(Picea abies (L.) Karsten] and silver birch (Betula pendula Roth) seedlings growing in soil from a field afforestation site. The rhizosphere was defined as the soil adhering to the roots when they were carefully separated from the rest of the soil in the pots, termed as "planted bulk soil". Soil in unplanted pots was used as control soil. All seedlings had been grown from seed and had been infected by the natural mycorrhizas of soil. Overall, roots of all tree species tended to increase FE-C, FE-N, SIR and DEA compared to the unplanted soil, and the increase was higher in the rhizosphere than in the planted bulk soil. In the rhizospheres tree species did not differ in their effect on FE-C, FE-N and DEA, but SIR was lowest under spruce. In the planted bulk soils FE-C and SIR were lowest under spruce. The planted bulk soils differed probably because the roots of spruce did not extend as far in the pot as those of pine and birch. The numbers of both NH4 + and NO2 –oxidizers, determined by the most probable number method, were either unaffected or decreased by roots, with the exception of the spruce rhizosphere, where numbers of both were increased.

Type of Medium: Electronic Resource

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s003740050581

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5

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The impact of a low humus level in arable soils on microbial properties, soil organic matter quality and crop yield (1999)

Beyer, L. ; Sieling, K. ; Pingpank, K.

Springer

Biology and fertility of soils 28 (1999), S. 156-161

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ISSN: 1432-0789

Keywords: Key words Soil cultivation ; Carbon loss ; Microbial biomass ; Enzyme activities ; Soil organic matter quality

Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000

Topics: Biology , Geosciences , Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition

Notes: Abstract In arable soils in Schleswig-Holstein (Northwest Germany) nearly 30% of the total organic C (TOC) stored in former times in the soil has been mineralized in the last 20 years. Microbial biomass, enzyme activities and the soil organic matter (SOM) composition were investigated in order to elucidate if a low TOC level affects microbial parameters, SOM quality and crop yield. Microbial biomass C (Cmic) and enzyme activities decreased in soils with a low TOC level compared to soils with a typical TOC level. The decrease in the Cmic/TOC ratio suggested low-level, steady-state microbial activity. The SOM quality changed with respect to an enrichment of initial litter compounds in the top soil layers with a low TOC level. Recent management of the soils had not maintained a desirable level of humic compounds. However, we found no significant decrease in crop yield. We suggest that microbial biomass and dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphatase activities are not necessarily indicators of soil fertility in soils with a high fertilization level without forage production and manure application.

Type of Medium: Electronic Resource

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s003740050478

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6

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Influence of stock camping behaviour on the soil microbiological and biochemical properties of grazed pastoral soils (1999)

Haynes, R. J. ; Williams, P. H.

Springer

Biology and fertility of soils 28 (1999), S. 253-258

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ISSN: 1432-0789

Keywords: Key words Grazing animals ; Enzyme activity ; Microbial biomass ; Pasture ; Soil organic matter

Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000

Topics: Biology , Geosciences , Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition

Notes: Abstract The size and activity of the soil microbial biomass in grazed pastures was compared on the main grazing area and on stock camp areas where animals congregate. Two sites were on hill country and three on gently sloping border-dyke irrigated land. Due to the transfer of nutrients and organic matter to the camp areas via dung and urine there was an accumulation of soil organic C, organic and inorganic P and S and soluble salts in the camp areas. Soil pH also tended to be higher in camp areas due to transfer of alkalinity by the grazing animals. Water soluble organic C, microbial biomass C and basal respiration were all higher in soils from camp areas but the proportion of organic C present as microbial C and the microbial respiratory quotient were unaffected. Microbial activity as quantified by arginine ammonification rate and fluorescein diacetate (FDA) hydrolysis was higher in camp than non-camp soils but dehydrogenase activity remained unaffected. Activities of protease, histidase, urease, acid phosphatase and aryl-sulphatase were all higher in stock camp soils. The activities of both histidase and aryl-sulphatase were also higher when expressed per unit of microbial biomass C, indicating that the increased activity was the result of increased enzyme production by the microbial community. Prolonged regular applications of dairy shed effluent (diluted dung and urine from cattle) to a field had a similar effect to stock camping in increasing soil organic matter content, nutrient accumulation and soil biological activity. It was concluded that the stock camping activity of grazing animals results in an increase in both the fertility and biological activity in soils from camp areas at the expense of these properties on the main grazing areas.

Type of Medium: Electronic Resource

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s003740050490

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7

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Effects of increasing periods under intensive arable vegetable production on biological, chemical and physical indices of soil quality (1999)

Haynes, R. J. ; Tregurtha, R.

Springer

Biology and fertility of soils 28 (1999), S. 259-266

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ISSN: 1432-0789

Keywords: Key words Aggregate stability ; Microbial biomass ; Microbial activity ; Soil organic matter ; Microbial quotient

Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000

Topics: Biology , Geosciences , Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition

Notes: Abstract The effects on soil condition of increasing periods under intensive cultivation for vegetable production on a Typic Haplohumult were compared with those of pastoral management using soil biological, physical and chemical indices of soil quality. The majority of the soils studied had reasonably high pH, exchangeable cation and extractable P levels reflecting the high fertilizer rates applied to dairy pasture and more particularly vegetable-producing soils. Soil organic C (Corg) content under long-term pasture (〉60 years) was in the range of 55 g C kg–1 to 65 g C kg–1. With increasing periods under vegetable production soil organic matter declined until a new equilibrium level was attained at about 15–20 g C kg–1 after 60–80 years. The loss of soil organic matter resulted in a linear decline in microbial biomass C (Cmic) and basal respiratory rate. The microbial quotient (Cmic/Corg) decreased from 2.3% to 1.1% as soil organic matter content declined from 65 g C kg–1 to 15 g C kg–1 but the microbial metabolic quotient (basal respiration/Cmic ratio) remained unaffected. With decreasing soil organic matter content, the decline in arginine ammonification rate, fluorescein diacetate hydrolytic activity, earthworm numbers, soil aggregate stability and total clod porosity was curvilinear and little affected until soil organic C content fell below about 45 g C kg–1. Soils with an organic C content above 45 g C kg–1 had been under pasture for at least 30 years. At the same Corg content, soil biological activity and soil physical conditions were markedly improved when soils were under grass rather than vegetables. It was concluded that for soils under continuous vegetable production, practices that add organic residues to the soil should be promoted and that extending routine soil testing procedures to include key physical and biological properties will be an important future step in promoting sustainable management practices in the area.

Type of Medium: Electronic Resource

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s003740050491

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8

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Soil organisms and carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus mineralisation in Norway spruce and mixed Norway spruce – Birch stands (1999)

Saetre, P. ; Brandtberg, P.-O. ; Lundkvist, Heléne ; [et al.]

Springer

Biology and fertility of soils 28 (1999), S. 382-388

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ISSN: 1432-0789

Keywords: Key words Soil fauna ; Microbial biomass ; Microbial respiration ; C ; N and P mineralisation ; Mixed species stands

Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000

Topics: Biology , Geosciences , Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition

Notes: Abstract We examined how soil organisms and C, N and P mineralisation are affected by admixing deciduous tree species, silver birch (Betula pendula) and woollen birch (B. pubescens), in managed Norway spruce (Picea abies) stands. Pure spruce and mixed spruce–birch stands were examined at four sites in southern and central Sweden. Soil macroarthropods and enchytraeids were sampled in litter and soil. In the uppermost 5 cm of soil humus we determined microbial biomass and microbial respiration; we estimated the rate of C, N and P mineralisation under laboratory conditions. The densities of Coleoptera, Diptera and Collembola were larger in mixed stands than in spruce stands. Soil fauna composition differed between mixed and spruce stands (as revealed by redundancy analysis). Staphyliniidae, Elateridae, Cecidiomyidae larvae and Onychiuridae were the families that increased most strongly in mixed stands. There were no differences in microbial biomass and microbial respiration, nor in the C, N and P mineralisation rates, between mixed and spruce stands. However, within mixed stands microbial biomass, microbial activity and C mineralisation were approximately 15% higher under birch trees than under spruce trees. We propose that the presence of birch leaf litter was likely to be the most important factor causing differences in soil fauna composition. Birch may also influence the quality and the decomposition rate of humus in mixed stands. However, when the proportion of birch trees is low, the short-term (decades) effect of this species on decomposition is likely to be small in mixed stands on acid forest soils.

Type of Medium: Electronic Resource

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s003740050508

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9

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Fatty acid patterns of phospholipids and lipopolysaccharides in the characterisation of microbial communities in soil: a review (1999)

Zelles, L.

Springer

Biology and fertility of soils 29 (1999), S. 111-129

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ISSN: 1432-0789

Keywords: Key words Fatty acid profile ; Phospholipids ; Lipopolysaccharides ; Soil microbial communities ; Microbial biomass

Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000

Topics: Biology , Geosciences , Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition

Notes: Abstract This review discusses the analysis of whole-community phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) profiles and the composition of lipopolysaccharides in order to assess the microbial biomass and the community structure in soils. For the determination of soil microbial biomass a good correlation was obtained between the total amount of PLFAs and the microbial biomass measured with methods commonly used for determinations such as total adenylate content and substrate-induced respiration. Generally, after the application of multivariate statistical analyses, whole-community fatty acid profiles indicate which communities are similar or different. However, in most cases, the organisms accounting for similarity or difference cannot be determined, and therefore artefacts could not be excluded. The fatty acids used to determine the biomass vary from those which determine the community structure. Specific attention has to be paid when choosing extraction methods in order to avoid the liberation of fatty acids from non-living organic material and deposits, and to exclude the non-target selection of lipids from living organisms, as well. By excluding the fatty acids which were presumed to be common and widespread prior to multivariate statistical analysis, estimates were improved considerably. Results from principal component analysis showed that determining the levels of fatty acids present in both low and high concentrations is essential in order to correctly identify microorganisms and accurately classify them into taxonomically defined groups. The PLFA technique has been used to elucidate different strategies employed by microorganisms to adapt to changed environmental conditions under wide ranges of soil types, management practices, climatic origins and different perturbations. It has been proposed that the classification of PLFAs into a number of chemically different subgroups should simplify the evaluating procedure and improve the assessment of soil microbial communities, since then only the subgroups assumed to be involved in key processes would be investigated.

Type of Medium: Electronic Resource

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s003740050533

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10

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Effect of cycloheximide on N2O and NO3– production in a forest and an agricultural soil (1998)

Castaldi, S. ; Smith, K. A.

Springer

Biology and fertility of soils 27 (1998), S. 27-34

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ISSN: 1432-0789

Keywords: Key words Acetylene ; Cycloheximide ; Heterotrophic nitrification ; Inhibitors ; Microbial biomass

Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000

Topics: Biology , Geosciences , Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition

Notes: Abstract The present work aims at evaluating the effect of cycloheximide at concentrations of between 0.5 and 5mgg–1 on N2O and NO3 – production in two slightly alkaline soils, sampled from deciduous woodland and arable cultivation. In the first experiment, peptone was used as the “inducing substrate” for heterotrophic activity, and soil was incubated with cycloheximide (at different concentrations) and/or acetylene (1mll–1) to block induced eukaryotic protein synthesis and ammonia monooxygenase activity, respectively. Peptone addition stimulated N2O and NO3 – production significantly in woodland soil, whereas arable soil showed no significant N2O emissions and low NO3 – production. Low cycloheximide concentrations drastically reduced N2O emissions in woodland soil, suggesting a potential role of fungi in N2O emissions. However, acetylene was equally effective in blocking N2O emissions and part of NO3 – production, so that a possible role of ammonia monooxygenase in an organic-inorganic pathway of N nitrification in fungal metabolism can be hypothesized. A second experiment was carried out on the woodland soil to check if low cycloheximide concentrations had non-target biocidal effects on soil microorganisms. Attention was focused on the range of concentrations which had reduced N2O emission in the woodland soil. The results suggested that at concentrations of cycloheximide between 0.5 and 2mgg–1 any biocidal effect on microbial biomass was negligible in the first 48h; therefore only selective inhibition of protein synthesis could be expected. The whole nitrifier population seemed to be particularly sensitive to cycloheximide concentrations higher than 2.5mgg–1.

Type of Medium: Electronic Resource

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s003740050395

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