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  • Articles  (289)
  • Microbial biomass  (162)
  • Nitrogen fixation  (67)
  • Holocene  (60)
  • Springer  (289)
  • Geosciences  (289)
  • 1
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    Biology and fertility of soils 18 (1994), S. 137-142 
    ISSN: 1432-0789
    Keywords: Microbial biomass ; Bamboo savanna ; N mineralization ; Nutrient pools ; Temporal variations ; Nitrification
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Geosciences , Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
    Notes: Abstract The effect of harvesting bamboo savanna on the dynamics of soil nutrient pools, N mineralization, and microbial biomass was examined. In the unharvested bamboo site NO inf3 sup- -N in soil ranged from 0.37 to 3.11 mg kg-1 soil and in the harvested site from 0.43 to 3.67 mg kg-1. NaHCO3-extractable inorganic P ranged from 0.55 to 3.58 mg kg-1 in the unharvested site and from 1.01 to 4.22 mg kg-1 in the harvested site. Over two annual cycles, the N mineralization range in the unharvested and harvested sites was 0–19.28 and 0–24.0 mg kg-1 soil month-1, respectively. The microbial C, N, and P ranges were 278–587, 28–64, and 12–26 mg kg-1 soil, respectively, with the harvested site exhibiting higher values. Bamboo harvesting depleted soil organic C by 13% and total N by 20%. Harvesting increased N mineralization, resulting in 10 kg ha-1 additional mineral N in the first 1st year and 5 kg ha-1 in the 2nd year following the harvest. Microbial biomass C, N and P increased respectively by 10, 18, and 5% as a result of bamboo harvesting.
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  • 2
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    Biology and fertility of soils 18 (1994), S. 155-162 
    ISSN: 1432-0789
    Keywords: Grazing ; Semiarid soils ; Shrubland ; Grassland ; Microbial biomass ; Microbial respiration
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Geosciences , Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
    Notes: Abstract The major objectives of this study were to determine the influence of grazing on the soil microbial biomass and activity in semiarid grassland and shrubland areas and to quantify the canopy effect (the differences in soil microbial biomass and activities between soils under plant canopies and soils in the open between plants). We also quantified changes in microbial biomass and activity during seasonal transition from dry to moist conditions. Chronosequences of sites withdrawn from grazing for 0, 11, and 16 years were sampled in a grassland (Bouteloua spp.) area and a shrubland (Atriplex canescens) area on and near the Sevilleta National Wildlife Reguge in central New Mexico, USA. Samples were obtained from beneath the canopies of plants (Yucca glauca in the grassland and A. canescens in the shrubland) and from open soils; they were collected three times during the spring and summer of a single growing season. Organic C, soil microbial biomass C, and basal respiration rates (collectively called the “soil C triangle”) were measured. We also calculated the microbial: organic C ratio and the metabolic quotient (ratio of respiration to microbial C) as measures of soil organic C stability and turnover. Although we had hypothesized that individual values of the soil C triangle would increase and that the ratios would decrease with time since grazing, differences in microbial parameters between sites located along the chronosequences were generally not significant. Grazing did not have a consistion effect on organic C, microbial C, and basal respiration in our chronosequences. The microbial: organic C ratio and the metabolic quotient generally increased with time since grazing on the shrubland chronosequence. The microbial: organic C ratio decreased with time since grazing and the metabolic quotient increased with time since grazing on the grassland chronosequence. The canopy effect was observed at all sites in nearly all parameters including organic C, microbial C, basal respiration, the microbial: organic C ratio, and the metabolic quotient which were predominantly higher in soils under the canopies of plants than in the open at all sites. Microbial biomass and activity did not increase during the experiment, even though the availability of moisture increased dramatically. The canopy effects were approximately equal on the shrubland and grassland sites. The microbial: organic C ratios and the metabolic quotients were generally higher in the shrubland soils than in the grassland soils.
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  • 3
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    Biology and fertility of soils 18 (1994), S. 231-236 
    ISSN: 1432-0789
    Keywords: A-value ; Bradyrhizobium ; Genotype ; Growth stage ; 15N ; Nitrogen fixation ; Nodulation
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Geosciences , Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
    Notes: Abstract TheA-value method, involving the application of a higher15N rate to a reference non-N2-fixing plant, was used to assess the magnitude of N2 fixation in two bambara groundnut cultivars at four growth stages [vegetative, 0–47 days after planting (DAP); early pod-filling, 47–99 DAP; mid-pod-filling, 99–120 DAP; physiological maturity, 120–148 DAP). The cultivars were Ex-Ada, a bunchy type, and CS-88-11, a slightly spreading type. They were grown on a loamy sand. Uninoculated Ex-Ada and CS-88-11 were used as reference plants to measure the N2 fixed in the inoculated bambara groundnuts. In this greenhouse study, soil was the major source of N in bambara groundnuts during vegetative growth, and during this period it accounted for over 80% of the N accumulaed in the plants. However, N2 fixation became the major source of plant N during reproductive growth. There were significant differences between the two cultivars in the ability to fix N2, and at physiological maturity, almost 75% of the N in CS-88-11 was derived from the atmosphere compared to 55% in Ex-Ada. Also, the total N fixed in CS-88-11 at physiological maturity was almost double that in Ex-Ada. Our data indicate that the higher N2 fixation in CS-88-11 was due to two factors, a higher intensity of N2 fixation and a longer active period of N2 fixation. The results also suggest that bambara groundnut genotypes could be selected for higher N2 fixation in farining systems.
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  • 4
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    Biology and fertility of soils 19 (1995), S. 1-9 
    ISSN: 1432-0789
    Keywords: Mineralization ; Soil organic matter ; Aerobic incubation ; CaCl2 extraction ; Soluble organic nitrogen ; Microbial biomass
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Geosciences , Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
    Notes: Abstract Indices of N mineralization in soils of contrasting texture, pH, and organic matter contents were compared at different dates during the growing season. The indices were derived from a 12-week aerobic incubation, determination of the amount of microbial biomass at the start of the incubation, determination of the increase in NH 4 + after boiling with 2 M KCl for 2h, and extraction of total soluble N with 0.01 M CaCl2. Cumulative mineral N increased linearly with time in the course of the incubations. Rates of mineralization in soil samples taken in March 1989 and 1990 were significantly correlated with soluble organic N, while correlations between the mineralization rate and the increase in NH 4 + after boiling with 2 M KCl for 2 h were poor for sandy soils and absent for loamy soils. Correlations between NH 4 + after boiling with 2 M KCl for 2h and the soil N concentration were highly significant, but no general relationship was found between the mineralization rate and the soil N concentration. Neither biomass N nor biomass C was significantly correlated with the mineralization rate or with one of the chemical indices. Among the methods tested, soluble organic N extracted with 0.01 M CaCl2 was the only method with any promise for routine measurement of the mineralization capacity of the individual sites.
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  • 5
    ISSN: 1432-0789
    Keywords: Fatty acids ; Phospholipids ; Lipopolysaccharides ; Microbial biomass ; Gram-positive bacteria
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Geosciences , Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
    Notes: Abstract Several soils subject to different cultivation and management practices were examined by analysis of fatty acid profiles derived from phospholipids and lipopolysaccharides, using an improved sequential method which is capable of measuring ester-linked and non-ester-linked phospholipid fatty acids (EL-PLFA, NEL-PLFA, respectively) and the hydroxy fatty acids in lipopolysaccharides. A good correlation was obtained (r〉0.90) between the soil biomass and total EL-PLFA in the soils investigated, which ranged from forest soils to a variety of agricultural soils. Elucidation of the composition of the community structure was an additional task. Eukaryotes can be differentiated from bacteria by the presence of polyunsaturated and ω-hydroxy fatty acids, both of which were much more abundant in the OF layer of the forest soil than in the remaining samples. A relatively low proportion of monomethyl branched-chain saturated fatty acids was obtained in the forest OF horizon, these being indicators for Gram-positive bacteria and actinomycetes. Various subclasses of proteobacteria produce β and mid-chain hydroxy fatty acids, which occur primarily in agricultural soils. The ratios between monounsaturated fatty acids and saturated fatty acids seem to be very useful parameters of soil environmental conditions. In addition, on the basis of the differences in composition of the NEL-PLFA and hydroxy fatty acids of lipopolysaccharides, clear indications for the community structure of various soils were obtained. In the forest soils much more abundant anaerobic micro-organisms and relatively less abundant proteobacteria were present than in the other soils. In the cultivated soils, however, the proportion of Gram-negative bacteria was considerably higher. Furthermore, eukaryotes appeared to be pre-dominant in the soils once used for a manure deposit site.
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  • 6
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    Biology and fertility of soils 19 (1995), S. 141-147 
    ISSN: 1432-0789
    Keywords: Microbial biomass ; Biomass C:N ratio Acidification ; Beech forest ; Soil organic C ; Total N
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Geosciences , Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
    Notes: Abstract Soils from 38 German forest sites, dominated by beech trees (Fagus sylvatica L.) were sampled to a depth of about 10 cm after careful removal of overlying organic layers. Microbial biomass N and C were measured by fumigation-extraction. The pH of the soils varied between 3.5 and 8.3, covering a wide range of cation exchange capacity, organic C, total N, and soil C:N values. Maximum biomass C and biomass N contents were 2116 μg C m-2 and 347 μg N m-2, while minimum contents were 317 and 30 μg m-2, respectively. Microbial biomass N and C were closely correlated. Large variations in microbial biomass C:N ratios were observed (between 5.4 and 17.3, mean 7.7), indicating that no simple relationship exists between these two parameters. The frequency distribution of the parameters for C and N availability to the microflora divided the soils into two subgroups (with the exception of one soil): (1) microbial: organic C〉12 mg g-1, microbial:total N〉28 mg g-1 (n=23), a group with high C and N availability, and (2) microbial:organic C≤12 mg g-1, microbial:total N≦28 mg g-1 (n=14), a group with low C and N availability. With the exception of a periodically waterlogged soil, the pH of all soils belonging to subgroup 2 was below 5.0 and the soil C:N ratios were comparatively high. Within these two subgroups no significant correlation between the microbial C:N ratio and soil pH or any other parameter measured was found. The data suggest that above a certain threshold (pH 5.0) microbial C:N values vary within a very small range over a wide range of pH values. Below this threshold, in contrast, the range of microbial C:N values becomes very large.
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  • 7
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    Biology and fertility of soils 19 (1995), S. 159-165 
    ISSN: 1432-0789
    Keywords: Collembola ; Microbial biomass ; Soil compaction ; Crop rotation ; Arable soil
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Geosciences , Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
    Notes: Abstract Collembola and microbial biomass C were investigated in a field experiment with controlled agricultural traffic and crop rotation over a period of 27 months. The wheel-induced compactive efforts were applied according to management practices within the crop rotation of sugar beet, winter wheat, and winter barley. Increasing wheel traffic produced increasing soil compaction, mainly due to a reduction in surface soil porosity. Increasing soil compaction was accompanied by a decrease in microbial biomass C and the density of collembola. The influence of soil compaction on microbial biomass C was smaller than that of the standing crop. However, for collembola, especially euedaphic species, a reduction in pore space appeared to be of more importance than the effects of a standing crop. Within the crop rotation, microbial biomass C and the density of collembola increased in the order sugar beet, winter wheat, and winter barley.
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  • 8
    ISSN: 1432-0789
    Keywords: Microbial biomass ; Dehydrogenase activity Urease ; Phosphatase ; Respiration ; ATP ; Grazing Fertiliser ; Lime
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Geosciences , Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
    Notes: Abstract A field study was conducted to determine the influence of a short-term (2 year) cessation of fertiliser applications, liming, and sheep-grazing on microbial biomass and activity in a reseeded upland grassland soil. The cessation of fertiliser applications (N and NPK) on a limed and grazed grassland had no effect on microbial biomass measurements, enzyme activities, or respiration. Withholding fertiliser and lime from a grazed grassland resulted in significant reductions in both microbial biomass C (P〈0.05) and dehydrogenase activity (P〈0.05) by approximately 18 and 21%, respectively. The removal of fertiliser applications, liming, and grazing resulted in even greater reductions in microbial biomass C (44%, P〈0.001) and dehydrogenase activity (31%, P〈0.001), and significant reductions in microbial biomass N (P〈0.005), urease activity (P〈0.05), phosphatase activity (P〈0.001), and basal respiration (P〈0.05). The abundance of culturable bacteria and fungi and the soil ATP content were unaffected by changes in grassland managements. With the cessation of liming soil pH fell from 5.4 to 4.7, and the removal of grazing resulted in a further reduction to pH 4.5. A significant negative linear relationship (r 2=0.97; P〈0.01) was found between increasing soil acidity and dehydrogenase activity. Possible mechanisms influencing these changes are discussed.
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  • 9
    ISSN: 1432-0789
    Keywords: Microbial biomass ; Substrate-induced respiration ; Beech litter ; Fragmentation ; Nutrient limitation
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Geosciences , Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
    Notes: Abstract In February 1993 samples of litter from three different litter layers (upper, intermediate, and lower) were taken from a beechwood growing on basalt soil. Using the substrate-induced respiration method, we investigated the influence of fragmentation and glucose concentration on the maximum initial respiratory response. Glucose concentrations ranged between 0 and 160000 μg g-1 dry weight. The initial respiratory response reached a maximum at 80000 μg glucose g-1 dry weight. The addition of higher concentrations of glucose resulted in negligible changes in respiration. Litter materials of four different size classes (intact leaves, fragmented 〈100 mm2, 〈25 mm2, and 〈5 mm2) were amended with 80000 μg glucose g-1 dry weight. Substrate-induced respiration was at a maximum in the size class 〈25 mm2. The addition of glucose to intact litter did not result in microbial growth. It is concluded that C is not the primary limiting element for the microflora in litter layers of the study site. Fragmentation of beech litter enabled the microorganisms to grow. Presumably, nutrients that limited microbial growth in intact litter were mobilized by the fragmentation procedure and enabled microorganisms to grow in fragmented litter materials.
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  • 10
    ISSN: 1432-0789
    Keywords: Microbial biomass ; Substrate-induced respiration ; Selective inhibition ; Prokaryote: eukaryote ratio Woodland soils ; Streptomycin ; Cycloheximide
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Geosciences , Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
    Notes: Abstract Bacterial and fungal contributions to microbial respiration in three beechwood soils rich in C (two basalt soils and one limestone soil) were investigated by using streptomycin and cycloheximide to inhibit substrate-induced respiration after glucose (8000 μg g-1), N, and P addition to soil samples. The inhibitors were added as solutions (2000, 8000, and 16000 μg g-1) and the reduction in substrate-induced respiration after separate and combined inhibitor addition was measured in an automated electrolytic microrespirometer. Bacterial and fungal contributions to microbial respiration were calculated using the interval 6–10 h after inhibitor application. The microbial biomas was smaller in the two basalt soils (Oberhang and Mittelhang) than in the limestone soil (Unterhang). In the presence of both inhibitors, microbial respiration was inhibited by a maximum of 45, 45, and 25% in the two basalt soils and the limestone soil, respectively. Inhibition of microbial respiration was at a maximum at streptomycin and cycloheximide concentrations of 16000 μg g-1. The inhibitor additivity ratio approached 1.0 even at high inhibitor concentrations, indicating high inhibitor selectivity. Calculated prokaryote: eukaryote ratios indicated lower bacterial contributions to the microbial biomass in the Mettelhang (0.74) and Unterhang (0.73) than in the Oberhang (0.88) soil.
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  • 11
    ISSN: 1432-0789
    Keywords: Excreta ; Fertiliser ; Microbial biomass ; Nitrogen ; Silvopastoral
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Geosciences , Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
    Notes: Abstract This paper describes a field study to assess the effect of increasing the frequency of split applications of N fertiliser on the pattern of plant uptake, soil N availability, and microbial biomass C and N. Measurements were taken during the growing season in different positions relative to young trees (Prunus avium L.) in an upland silvopastoral system in its first year after establishment. At fertiliser rates of 72 and 144 kg ha-1 N applied as NH4NO3, increasing the number of split applications increased N uptake by the pasture. Mineral forms of soil N measured 2 weeks after application indicated that residual NH inf4 sup+ -N and total mineral N were also greater in this treatment on certain dates. Soil NO inf3 sup- -N was positively correlated with the soil moisture content, and nitrification reached a maximum in early May and declined rapidly thereafter except within the herbicide-treated areas around the trees where soil moisture had been conserved. Results of the study suggest that high NO inf3 sup- -N in herbicide-treated areas was probably caused by mineralisation of grass residues and low uptake by the tree rather than by preferential urine excretion by sheep sheltering beside the trees. Mean microbial biomass C and N values of 894 and 213 kg ha-1, respectively, were obtained. Microbial C was slightly increased by the higher frequency of split applications at 144 kg ha-1 N and was probably related to the greater herbage production with this treatment. Microbial N was not significantly affected by the N treatments. Both microbial biomass C and N increased during the growing season, resulting in the net immobilisation of at least 45 kg ha-1 N which was later released during the autumn.
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  • 12
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    Biology and fertility of soils 19 (1995), S. 197-202 
    ISSN: 1432-0789
    Keywords: Soil organic matter ; Cultivation ; CPMAS 13C-NMR ; Microbial biomass ; Substrate-induced respiration ; Alkylic carbon ; pH
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Geosciences , Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
    Notes: Abstract To determine whether there is a relationship between the composition of soil organic matter and the activity of the soil microbial biomass, the composition of the organic matter in 12 typical arable soils in Northwest Germany was investigated by wet chemical analysis and CPMAS cross polarization magic angle spinning 13C-NMR spectroscopy. The data were correlated with the microbial biomass as estimated by substrate-induced respiration. A strong correlation between the microbial biomass and alkylic C compounds was observed (r=-0.960***). Recalcitrant substances were enriched in this fraction, which were classified as humic acids according to the wet chemical procedure. The microbial decomposition of these humic acids is probably retarded, due to their chemical structure and/or physical bonding, when the soil microbial biomass activity is limited.
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  • 13
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    Biology and fertility of soils 23 (1996), S. 314-320 
    ISSN: 1432-0789
    Keywords: Nitrogen mineralization ; Microbial biomass ; Soil drying ; Extractable organic N ; 15N isotope dilution
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Geosciences , Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
    Notes: Abstract A laboratory soil incubation and a pot experiment with ryegrass were carried out in order to examine the extractability of microbial biomass N by using either 10-mM CaCl2 extraction or the electro-ultrafiltration (EUF) method. The aim of the experiment was to test the hypothesis whether the organic N (Norg) extracted by EUF or CaCl2 from dried soil samples represents a part of the microbial biomass. For the laboratory incubation a 15N-labelled Escherichia coli suspension was mixed with the soil. For the pot experiment a suspension of 15N-labelled bacteria was applied which had previously been isolated from the soil used. Soil samples of both treatments, with and without applied bacterial suspension, were extracted by EUF and CaCl2. The extractability of applied microbial biomass was estimated from the difference in extractable Norg between the two treatments. In addition, the N isotopic composition in the upper plant matter, in the soil, and in organic and inorganic N fractions of EUF and CaCl2 extracts was analysed. Both experiments showed that the applied microbial biomass was highly accessible to mineralization and thus represented potentially mineralizable N. However, this mineralizable N was not extractable by CaCl2 or by the EUF method. It was, therefore, concluded that the organic N released on soil drying and which was thus extractable was derived from the non-biomass soil organic matter. The result suggests that both extraction methods may provide a suitable index for mineralizable N only in cases where the decomposable organic substrates are derived mainly from sources other than the living soil biota.
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  • 14
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    Biology and fertility of soils 19 (1995), S. 292-296 
    ISSN: 1432-0789
    Keywords: Microbial biomass ; Wetland rice soil ; Mineralizable nitrogen ; Reclamation ; Soil organic matter ; Barnyard manuring
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Geosciences , Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
    Notes: Abstract Microbial biomass C, N, total organic C, N and mineralizable N were measured in newly reclaimed wetland sandy loam rice soil with a very low nutrient status. Microbial biomass C increased 5.4–10.4 times due to application of barnyard manure, but decreased drastically to 24–27% during rice cultivation. Organic C and N contents also decreased during cultivation, but to a lesser extent to 59–76%. At the tillering stage of the rice plant, microbial biomass N was highly correlated with mineralizable N (r=0.986).
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  • 15
    ISSN: 1432-0789
    Keywords: Phospholipids ; Microbial biomass ; Phosphatase ; Cropping systems ; Long-term experiments Prairie
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Geosciences , Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
    Notes: Abstract In agricultural ecosystems that have had consistent cropping histories, standard microbial methods may be used to evaluate past and present practices. Our objective was to evaluate several microbial methods that best indicate cropping histories and soil quality on long-term plots. We selected soil microbial carbon (C), phospholipid analyses, direct counts of total fungal and bacterial biomass, and soil enzymes (phosphatases) to measure direct and indirect microbial activity on the Sanborn Field and Tucker Prairie. The Sanborn Field has been under various cropping and management practices since 1888 and the Tucker Prairie is an uncultivated site. Seven different plots were chosen on the Sanborn Field and random samples were taken in the summit area on the Tucker Prairie, which represented a reference site. Soil microbial biomass C, phospholipids, and enzyme activity were reflective of the cropping and management histories observed on the Sanborn Field. Enzymatic activity was highly correlated to soil organic matter. The direct counts of fungal and bacterial biomass showed that fungal populations dominated these soils, which may be attributed to soil pH. Soil microbial biomass C and enzyme assays seemed to be better potential indicators of cropping histories than the other methods tested in the long-term plots.
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  • 16
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    Biology and fertility of soils 19 (1995), S. 309-316 
    ISSN: 1432-0789
    Keywords: Microbial biomass ; Microbial activity ; Long-term field experiment ; Fertilization ; Soil organic matter
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Geosciences , Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
    Notes: Abstract The Dehérain long-term field experiment was initiated in 1875 to study the impact of fertilization on a wheat-sugarbeet rotation. In 1987, the rotation was stopped to be replaced by continuous maize. Crop residues were soil-incorporated and the mineral fertilization was doubled in some plots. The impact of those changes on the microbial biomass and activity are presented. In spring 1987, the soil was still in a steady-state condition corresponding to the rotation. The microbial biomass was correlated with total organic C and decreased in the order farmyard manure〉mineral NPK〉unfertilized control. Microbial specific respiratory activity was higher in the unfertilized treatments. The soil biomass was closely related to soil N plant uptake. In 1989, after 2 years of maize and crop residue incorporation, the steady-state condition corresponding to the previous agricultural practices disappeared. So did the relationship between the biomass and total organic C, and the soil N plant uptake. Biomass specific respiratory activity increased because of low efficiency in the use of maize residues by microbes under N stress.
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  • 17
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    Biology and fertility of soils 19 (1995), S. 362-368 
    ISSN: 1432-0789
    Keywords: Microbial biomass ; Aluminium toxicity ; Acid stress ; Microcalorimetry ; Microbial activity ; Stress parameter
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Geosciences , Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
    Notes: Abstract Microbial biomass C and activity were determined in six forest soils along a gradient in physical and chemical climate in Europe. Both parameters were measured microcalorimetrically. The upper 22 cm of the soils were sampled in undisturbed columns (24 cm deep). Measurements were made in homogenized samples of the different surface organic horizons (Ol, Of, Oh) and the mineral horizons (Ah, Aeh, Bv) down to 22 cm. On a mass basis values for both the biomass and the activity showed an exponential decrease with depth in all soils. Expressed on a volume basis these relationships varied with soil pH. in the strongly acidified soils most of the microbial biomass and activity was located in the forest floor. In less acidified soils both parameters were highest in the mineral soil. Further relationships between biomass and activity and between soil chemical properties showed significant positive correlations with exchangeable Ca2+, Mg2+, Ca/Al and negative correlations with Al3+. There were no significant correlations with exchangeable cations in less acidified soils. It was calculated that the microbial biomass is more affected by soil chemistry than activity. The caloric quotient (qW) is a good parameter for determining the ecophysiological state of microorganisms in acidified soils.
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  • 18
    ISSN: 1432-0789
    Keywords: Crop rotation ; Field pea ; Mineral N ; Nitrogen fixation ; immobilisation ; Pisum sativum
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Geosciences , Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
    Notes: Abstract The effects of soil incorporation with cereal straw (nil, 2.5, 5 and 10 t straw ha−1) and direct drilling on the proportion and amount of pea N derived from biological N fixation were investigated in three field experiments. Fixed N was determined by15N dilution using barley as a reference plant. The three sites were on acidic, red clay-loams in the cropping zone of southeastern Australia. Seasonal plant available soil N, as determined by the N accumulated in barley, was 31, 56 and 158 kg N ha−1, for the three sites. Incorporated straw reduced soil nitrate at sowing by 10–50 kg N ha−1 (0–30 cm), and 5 or 10 t straw ha−1 reduced barley uptake of N by 10–38 kg N ha−1. However, reducing plant available soil N was generally ineffective for increasing the N fixed by pea. Fixed N increased only at the site with the least plant-available N, and only one-third of the increase could be attributed to lower soil N uptake by pea. There was no evidence that direct drilling pea increased fixed N by decreasing crop uptake of soil N. It is proposed that a lower requirement for soil N by pea as compared to barley, and availability of mineral N beneath the soil layer treated with straw, minimise the effectiveness of straw incorporation for increasing the N fixed by pea.
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  • 19
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    Biology and fertility of soils 2 (1986), S. 157-163 
    ISSN: 1432-0789
    Keywords: Available N ; Fumigation method ; N immobilization-remineralization ; Microbial biomass
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Geosciences , Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
    Notes: Summary The chloroform fumigation-incubation method (CFIM) was used to measure the microbial biomass of 17 agricultural soils from Punjab Pakistan which represented different agricultural soil series. The biomass C was used to calculate biomass N and the changes occurring in NH4 +-N and NO3 −-N content of soils were studied during the turnover of microbial biomass or added C source. Mineral N released in fumigated-incubated soils and biomass N calculated from biomass C was correlated with some N availability indexes. The soils contained 427–1240 kg C as biomass which represented 1.2%–6.9% of the total organic C in the soils studied. Calculations based on biomass C showed that the soils contained 64–186 kg N ha−1 as microbial biomass. Immobilization of NCO3 −-N was observed in different soils during the turnover of microbial biomass and any net increase in mineral N content of fumigated incubated soils was attributed entirely to NH4 +-N. Biomass N calculated from biomass C showed non-significant correlation with different N availability indexes whereas mineral N accumulated in fumigated-incubated soils showed highly significant correlations with other indexes including N uptake by plants.
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  • 20
    ISSN: 1432-0789
    Keywords: Key words Defoliation ; Microbial biomass ; Microbial populations ; Dehydrogenase activity ; Respiration ; Bacteria ; Fungi ; Upland grassland ; Upland soil ; Pseudomonas spp.
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Geosciences , Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
    Notes: Abstract A microcosm study was conducted to investigate the effect of continuous plant defoliation on the composition and activity of microbial populations in the rhizosphere of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) and white clover (Trifolium repens). Continuous defoliation of ryegrass and clover resulted in significant (P〈0.01) increases in soil microbial biomass, although whilst increases were measured from day 2 in soil sown with clover significant increases were only seen from day 21 in soil sown with ryegrass. These increases were paralleled, from day 10 onwards, by increases in the numbers of culturable bacteria. Numbers of Pseudomonas spp. also increased in the later stages of the study. No influence on culturable fungal populations was detected. Whilst shifts in the composition of the microbial populations were measured in response to defoliation there was little effect on microbial activity. No changes in either dehydrogenase activity or microbial respiration in the rhizosphere of ryegrass or clover were measured in response to defoliation, but both dehydrogenase activity and microbial respiration were greater in ryegrass than clover when values over the whole study were combined. Continuous defoliation resulted in significant (P〈0.001) reductions in the root dry weight of ryegrass and clover, of the order 19% and 16%, respectively.
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  • 21
    ISSN: 1432-0789
    Keywords: Key words Crop rotation ; Field pea ; Mineral N ; Nitrogen fixation ; immobilisation ; Pisum sativum
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Geosciences , Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
    Notes: Abstract The effects of soil incorporation with cereal straw (nil, 2.5, 5 and 10 t straw ha–1) and direct drilling on the proportion and amount of pea N derived from biological N fixation were investigated in three field experiments. Fixed N was determined by 15N dilution using barley as a reference plant. The three sites were on acidic, red clay-loams in the cropping zone of southeastern Australia. Seasonal plant available soil N, as determined by the N accumulated in barley, was 31, 56 and 158 kg N ha–1, for the three sites. Incorporated straw reduced soil nitrate at sowing by 10–50 kg N ha–1 (0–30 cm), and 5 or 10 t straw ha–1 reduced barley uptake of N by 10–38 kg N ha–1. However, reducing plant available soil N was generally ineffective for increasing the N fixed by pea. Fixed N increased only at the site with the least plant-available N, and only one-third of the increase could be attributed to lower soil N uptake by pea. There was no evidence that direct drilling pea increased fixed N by decreasing crop uptake of soil N. It is proposed that a lower requirement for soil N by pea as compared to barley, and availability of mineral N beneath the soil layer treated with straw, minimise the effectiveness of straw incorporation for increasing the N fixed by pea.
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  • 22
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    Biology and fertility of soils 24 (1996), S. 106-110 
    ISSN: 1432-0789
    Keywords: Key words 2 ; 4-D ; Dicamba ; Microbial biomass ; Wetland ; Forest
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Geosciences , Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
    Notes: Abstract A study was conducted to evaluate relationships between microbial biomass and the dissipation of 2,4-D (2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid) and dicamba (2-methoxy-3,6-dichlorobenzoic acid) in soil. We hypothesized that the size of the microbial biomass should be a strong predictor of the pesticide degradation capacity of a particular soil. Soils with a high microbial biomass should have relatively high levels of general microbial activity and should support a diversity of degradation pathways. In this study, we quantified the degradation of 2,4-D and dicamba in a range of soils with different concentrations of microbial biomass. The herbicides 2,4-D and dicamba were added to similar soils collected from five different land use types (home lawn, cornfield, upland hardwood forest, wetland forest, and aquifer material) and incubated for 80 days under laboratory conditions. Herbicide residue and microbial biomass (C and N) analyses were performed 5, 10, 20, 40, and 80 days following herbicide application. Microbial biomass-C and -N and soil organic matter content were positively correlated with dissipation of 2,4-D and dicamba. The results suggest that there are relationships between the size of the soil microbial biomass and the herbicide degradation capacity of an ecosystem. These relationships may be useful for developing approaches for evaluating and predicting the fate of pesticides in different ecosystems.
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  • 23
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    Biology and fertility of soils 22 (1996), S. 299-304 
    ISSN: 1432-0789
    Keywords: Microbial biomass ; Fungal biomass ; Ergosterol ; Fumigation extraction
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Geosciences , Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
    Notes: Abstract Ergosterol and microbial biomass C were measured in 26 arable, 16 grassland and 30 forest soils. The ergosterol content ranged from 0.75 to 12.94 μg g-1 soil. The geometric mean ergosterol content of grassland and forest soils was around 5.5 μg g-1, that of the arable soils 2.14 μg g-1. The ergosterol was significantly correlated with biomass C in the entire group of soils, but not in the subgroups of grassland and forest soils. The geometric mean of the ergosterol: microbial biomass C ratio was 6.0 mg g-1, increasing in the order grassland (5.1), arable land (5.4) and woodland (7.2). The ergosterol:microbial biomass C ratio had a strong negative relationship with the decreasing cation exchange capacity and soil pH, indicating that the fungal part of the total microbial biomass in soils increased when the buffer capacity decreased. The average ergosterol concentration calculated from literature data was 5.1 mg g-1 fungal dry weight. Assuming that fungi contain 46% C, the conversion factor from micrograms ergosterol to micrograms fungal biomass C is 90. For soil samples, neither saponification of the extract nor the more effective direct saponification during extraction seems to be really necessary.
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  • 24
    ISSN: 1432-0789
    Keywords: Key words Waste water irrigation ; Heavy metals ; Soil organic matter ; Microbial biomass ; Microbial activity
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Geosciences , Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
    Notes: Abstract  The effect of long-term waste water irrigation (up to 80 years) on soil organic matter, soil microbial biomass and its activities was studied in two agricultural soils (Vertisols and Leptosols) irrigated for 25, 65 and 80 years respectively at Irrigation District 03 in the Valley of Mezquital near Mexico City. In the Vertisols, where larger amounts of water have been applied than in the Leptosols, total organic C (TOC) contents increased 2.5-fold after 80 years of irrigation. In the Leptosols, however, the degradability of the organic matter tended to increase with irrigation time. It appears that soil organic matter accumulation was not due to pollutants nor did microbial biomass:TOC ratios and qCO2 values indicate a pollutant effect. Increases in soil microbial biomass C and activities were presumably due to the larger application of organic matter. However, changes in soil microbial communities occurred, as denitrification capacities increased greatly and adenylate energy charge (AEC) ratios were reduced after long-term irrigation. These changes were supposed to be due to the addition of surfactants, especially alkylbenzene sulfonates (effect on denitrification capacity) and the addition of sodium and salts (effect on AEC) through waste water irrigation. Heavy metals contained in the sewage do not appear to be affecting soil processes yet, due to their low availability. Detrimental effects on soil microbial communities can be expected, however, from further increases in pollutant concentrations due to prolonged application of untreated waste water or an increase in mobility due to higher mineralization rates.
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  • 25
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    Biology and fertility of soils 5 (1987), S. 253-257 
    ISSN: 1432-0789
    Keywords: Lolium perenne ; Microbial biomass ; Mineralization ; Plant residues ; Ryegrass ; Sulphur-35 ; Sulphur pools
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Geosciences , Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
    Notes: Summary Ryegrass shoot residues, labelled with 35S, were added to an S-deficient soil. The transfer of S to the microbial biomass, to the soil S pool extractable by NaHCO3 and to growing ryegrass when present was followed over 34 weeks. After 2 weeks 16% and 15% of the S residue was found in the biomass and in the extractable S pool, respectively. Where plants were grown, they became S-deficient (shoot S 〈0.2%) simultaneously with the biomass showing a marked increase in C:S ratio. This eventually reached 262 from an initial value of 59. Concurrently, the extractable S pool, which included some labile organic S, decreased to 〈0.2 μg g−1 soil. After 34 weeks 27% of the S residue was found in the growing plant, 7% in the biomass and 2% in the extractable S pool. Some mineralization of unlabelled soil organic S was observed during the period of greatest plant growth (8–14 weeks), but not in the absence of plants. A second phase of mineralization occurred between weeks 22 and 34, concurrent with a rise in mean temperature, which was unaffected by the presence of plants or by the size of the microbial biomass. This may have been due to “biochemical” mineralization of ester sulphate. The amount of unlabelled soil S involved in active cycling was estimated to be 11%–13% of the total soil S.
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  • 26
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    Biology and fertility of soils 25 (1997), S. 152-158 
    ISSN: 1432-0789
    Keywords: Key words14C pulse-labelling ; Pasture fertility ; Microbial biomass ; Carbon fluxes ; Carbon budgets
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Geosciences , Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
    Notes: Abstract Information on carbon (C) flows and transformations in the rhizosphere is vital for understanding soil organic matter dynamics and modelling its turnover. We followed the translocation of photosynthetically fixed C in three hill pastures that varied in their phosphorus (P) fertility, using a 14C-CO2 pulse-labelling chamber technique. Pasture shoot, root and soil samples were taken after 4h, 7 days and 35 days chase periods to examine the fluxes of 14C in the pasture plant-root-soil system. Shoot growth over 35 days amounted to 114, 179 and 182gm–2 at the low (LF), medium (MF) and high (HF) fertility pasture sites, respectively. The standing root biomass extracted from the soil did not differ significantly between sampling periods at any one level of fertility, but was significantly different across the three levels of fertility (1367, 1763 and 2406gm–2 at the LF, MF and HF pastures, respectively). The above- and below-ground partitioning of 14C was found to vary with the length of the chase period and fertility. Although most 14C (74%, 65% and 57% in the LF, MF and HF pastures, respectively) was in the shoot biomass after 4h, significant translocation to roots (23–39%) was also detected. By day 35, about 10% more 14C was partitioned below-ground in the LF pasture compared with the HF pasture. This is consistent with the hypothesis that, at limiting fertility, pasture plants allocate proportionally more resource below-ground for the acquisition of nutrients. In the LF site, with an annual assimilated C of 7064kgha–1, 2600kg was respired, 1861kg remained above-ground in the shoot and 2451kg was translocated to roots. In the HF pasture, of the 17313kgha–1 C assimilated, 7168kg was respired, 5298 remained in the shoot and 4432kg was translocated to the roots. This study provides, for the first time, data on the fluxes and quantities of C partitioned in a grazed pasture. Such data are critical for modelling C turnover and for constructing C budgets for grazed pasture ecosystems.
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  • 27
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    Biology and fertility of soils 7 (1989), S. 180-185 
    ISSN: 1432-0789
    Keywords: Extractability ratios ; Microbial biomass ; N immobilization-remineralization ; Priming effect
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Geosciences , Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
    Notes: Summary A Pakistani soil (Hafizabad silt loam) was incubated at 30°C with varying levels of 15N-labelled ammonium sulphate and glucose (C/N ratio of 30 at each addition rate) in order to generate different insitu levels of 15N-labelled microbial biomass. At a stage when all of the applied 15N was in organic forms, as biomass and products, the soil samples were analysed for biomass N by the chloroform (CHCl3) fumigation-extraction method, which involves exposure of the soil to CHCl3 vapour for 24 h followed by extraction with 500 mM K2SO4. A correction is made for inorganic and organic N in 500 mM K2SO4 extracts of the unfumigated soil. Results obtained using this approach were compared with the amounts of immobilized 15N extracted by 500 mM K2SO4 containing different amounts of CHCl3. The extraction time varied from 0.5 to 4 h. The amount of N extracted ranged from 27 to 270 μg g−1, the minimum occurring at the lowest (67 μg g−1) and the maximum at the highest (333 μg g−1) N-addition rate. Extractability of biomass 15N ranged from 25% at the lowest N-addition rate to 65%a for the highest rate and increased consistently with an increase in the amount of 15N and glucose added. The amounts of both soil N and immobilized 15N extracted with 500 mM K2SO4 containing CHCl3 increased with an increase in extraction time and in concentration of CHCl3. The chloroform fumigation-extraction method gives low estimates for biomass N because some of the organic N in K2SO4 extracts of unfumigated soil is derived from biomass.
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  • 28
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    Biology and fertility of soils 25 (1997), S. 233-239 
    ISSN: 1432-0789
    Keywords: Key words Spatial residue distribution ; Soil compaction ; C/N ratio ; Nitrogen mineralization ; Microbial biomass
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Geosciences , Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
    Notes: Abstract A mechanistic dynamic model (Verberne et al. 1990) was used to simulate mineralization of white-clover materials in a loam (25% clay) and a sandy loam soil (5% clay). I tested the model‘s ability to simulate the observed temporal patterns and to take account of altered physical protection as affected by soil compaction or spatial residue distribution. With default parameter values, the model greatly overestimated net N mineralization. The model was very sensitive to changes in the C/N ratio of the microbial biomass. Reducing this value from 8.0 to 6.0 improved the model performance. Nevertheless, initial N mineralization was appreciably overestimated. Two hypotheses may explain the discrepancies: (1) the C/N ratio of the microbial biomass is initially low (3–4) and gradually increases because of a succession from bacterial- to fungal-dominated biomass (H 1); (2) the C/N ratio of the substrates first attacked by microorganisms, i.e. water-soluble components such as sugars and free amino acids, is higher than the average value (6.0) assumed for the readily decomposable fraction (H 2). Conceptually, this fraction originally included N-containing polymers (proteins and nucleic acids), which in large part are water insoluble and probably attacked somewhat later than the monomers. Modification of the model, either by implementing a dynamic C/N ratio of the biomass and the effect of faunal grazing or by increasing the C/N ratio of the easily decomposable fraction, improved the model performance substantially. The two hypotheses need to be tested experimentally. The model adequately simulated measured effects of spatial residue distribution and soil compaction on N mineralization after adjustment or parameter values regulating physical protection of microbial biomass and metabolites. Moreover, there was a good agreement between simulated and measured microbial biomass N in the two soils.
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  • 29
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    Biology and fertility of soils 25 (1997), S. 269-273 
    ISSN: 1432-0789
    Keywords: Key words Carbon dioxide ; Microbial biomass ; Microbial growth ; Soil respiration ; Glucose ; mineralization rate ; Chloroform fumigation extraction method
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Geosciences , Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
    Notes: Abstract The effect of increasing soil CO2 concentration was studied in six different soils. The soils were incubated in ambient air (0.05 vol.% CO2) or in air enriched with CO2 (up to 5.0 vol.% CO2). Carbon dioxide evolution, microbial biomass, growth or death rate quotients and glucose decay rate were measured at 6, 12 and 24 h of CO2 exposure. The decrease in soil respiration ranged from 7% to 78% and was followed by a decrease in microbial biomass by 10–60% in most cases. High CO2 treatments did not affect glucose decay rate but the portion of Cgluc mineralized to CO2 was lowered and a larger portion of Cgluc remained in soils. This carbon was not utilized by soil microorganisms.
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  • 30
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    Biology and fertility of soils 4 (1987), S. 61-66 
    ISSN: 1432-0789
    Keywords: Stem nodulation ; Aeschynomene afraspera ; Legume ; Nitrogen fixation ; Acetylene reduction assay (ARA)
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Geosciences , Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
    Notes: Summary Aeschynomene afraspera is a wild annual legume growing in periodically waterlogged soils in western Africa. This legume is characterized by a profuse stem nodulation. Nodules are formed on the stem at the emergence of lateral root primordia, called nodulation sites. These sites are irregularly distributed on vertical rows all along the stem and branches. Stem nodules are hemispherically shaped. Their outside is dark green and they contain a red-pigmented central zone. Stem nodules exhibit a high nitrogen-fixing potential. Acetylene reduction assays result in stem nodule activity of 309 μmol C2H4 g−1 dry nodule h−1. Field-grown stem nodulated Aeschynomene accumulated more N (51 g N m−2 in 10 weeks) than the root nodulated one. Because of this nitrogenfixing potential and its ability to grow in waterlogged conditions, A. afraspera could probably be introduced into tropical rice cropping systems.
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  • 31
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    Biology and fertility of soils 8 (1989), S. 356-368 
    ISSN: 1432-0789
    Keywords: Plant-root associations ; Azospirillum spp ; Rhizosphere ; Nitrogen fixation ; Acetylene reduction assay (ARA) ; Phytohormones
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Geosciences , Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
    Notes: Summary Bacteria of the genus Azospirillum are extensively studied for their plant-growth promoting effect following inoculation. Physiological and biochemical studies of these diazotrophic bacteria are now benefiting from recent breakthroughs in the development of genetic tools for Azospirilum. Moreover, the identification and cloning of Azospirillum genes involved in N2 fixation, plant interaction, and phytohormone production have given new life to many research projects on Azospirillum. The finding that Azospirillum genes can complement specific mutations in other intensively studied rhizosphere bacteria like Rhizobia will certainly trigger the exploration of new areas in rhizosphere biology. Therefore a review of the Azospirillum-plant interactions is particularly timely.
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  • 32
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    Biology and fertility of soils 8 (1989), S. 349-355 
    ISSN: 1432-0789
    Keywords: Dimethylsulfoxide reduction ; Microbial activity determination ; Soil aggregates ; Arginine ammonification ; Microbial biomass
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Geosciences , Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
    Notes: Summary Based on the reduction of dimethylusulfoxide (DMSO) to dimethylsulfide (DMS) by microorganisms, a simple, rapid, sensitive and inexpensive method for the determination of microbial activity in soil samples was developed. When DMSO was added to samples, DMS appeared immediately in the gas phase, which was quantitatively analyzed by gas chromatography. The DMS liberation rate was constant for several hours. The reaction immediately starts and its linearity indicate that neither the physiological state nor the number of organisms were changed by the assay. DMSO reduction is widespread among microorganisms; out of 144 strains tested (both fungi and bacteria) only 5 were unable to carry out this reaction. The reaction in soil samples was strongly inhibited by toluene, cyanide, azide, or by fumigation, but was considerably stimulated by glucose. These findings demonstrate that the reaction was due to the activity of microorganisms. The DMSO reduction in different soil samples was significantly correlated with arginine ammonification and heat output (r〉0.9). A good correlation was observed with the organic-matter content (r = 0.74), but not with microbial numbers, clay content, or the pH of the soil. Standard deviations of less than 10% were routinely found. Furthermore, the method is sufficiently sensitive to allow measurements of activity in very small samples (〈 0.1 g). For example, a microbial activity profile can be established for a single soil aggregate, revealing marked differences in activity on the outside and in the interior.
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  • 33
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    Biology and fertility of soils 9 (1990), S. 239-244 
    ISSN: 1432-0789
    Keywords: Cyanobacteria ; Blue-green algae ; Soil inoculation ; Microbial biomass ; Enzyme activities ; Soil nitrogen ; Soil aggregation
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Geosciences , Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
    Notes: Summary The influence of surface growth of inoculated cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) on subsurface properties of a brown earth, silt loam soil was studied in reconstituted flooded soil columns. One blue-green algae species, Nostoc muscorum, become dominant within the first 7 days of inoculation. In light control columns (not inoculated) a bryophyte, Barbula recurvirostra, was dominant although significant growth of indigenous blue-green algae occurred. The blue-green algae counts were in the range of 1×106 g-1 dry soil in the surface layer (0–0.7 cm) in both columns. Any effect of surface phototrophic growth on soil properties was restricted to the surface layer. In inoculated columns there was a twofold increase in microbial biomass and an eightfold increase in bacterial numbers by week 13. However, bacterial numbers declined so that there was only a 2.8-fold increase by week 21. Dehydrogenase (x2.1), urease (x2.8) and phosphatase (x3.1) activities and polysaccharides (+69%) increased by week 21 as a result of the blue-green algae inoculation along with a significant improvement in soil aggregation. However, similar increases occurred in the light control columns, indicating that given appropriate conditions of light and moisture indigenous species may be ultimately as effective as introduced species in bringing about biochemical and microbiological changes to soil.
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  • 34
    ISSN: 1432-0789
    Keywords: Acacia mangium ; Acacia auriculiformis ; Bradyrhizobium spp. ; Rhizobium spp. ; Nitrogen fixation ; Nodule efficiency ; Tree legumes ; Agroforestry
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Geosciences , Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
    Notes: Summary Two Australian Acacia species, A. mangium and A. auriculiformis were inoculated in vitro with eight strains of Bradyrhizobium spp. and two strains of Rhizobium spp. On the two plant species, only Bradyrhizobium spp. strains formed effective N2-fixing nodules. A. mangium, which nodulates effectively with a restricted range of Bradyrhizobium spp. strains, is a specific host compared to A. auriculiformis. A. auriculiformis is assumed to be a promiscuous host because it nodulates effectively with a wide range of Bradyrhizobium spp. strains. Nodule efficiency as expressed by the ratio of N2 fixed to nodule dry weight appeared to be higher in A. auriculiformis (0.44–0.81) than in A. mangium (0.23–0.55).
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  • 35
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    Biology and fertility of soils 9 (1990), S. 273-280 
    ISSN: 1432-0789
    Keywords: Basal respiration ; Microbial biomass ; Soil moisture content ; Soil temperature ; Substrate-induced respiration
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Geosciences , Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
    Notes: Summary Soil moisture, temperature, microbial substrate-induced respiration and basal respiration were monitored in two plots in an agricultural field from April 30 to September 25, 1987, and in a further two plots from May 26 to August 27, 1988. An attempt to relate biological variables to microclimatic variables was made through the use of correlation analysis. The microbial substrate-induced and basal respiration were both strongly positively correlated with the soil moisture content, and to a lesser extent positively related to soil temperature, especially when partial correlation was used to control for variation in soil moisture. Short-term changes in substrate-induced and basal respiration were correlated with changes in soil moisture but were largely independent of soil temperature. The ratio of basal to substrate-induced respiration (indicating the respiration: biomass ratio and therefore ecosystem stability or persistence) was negatively associated with the soil moisture content and in some instances with soil temperature when partial correlation analysis (correcting for soil moisture variation) was used. This suggests that the climatic conditions which contributed to the lowest ecosystem stability were low temperature, low moisture conditions.
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  • 36
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    Biology and fertility of soils 9 (1990), S. 292-300 
    ISSN: 1432-0789
    Keywords: Microflora ; Beech wood ; Pesticides ; Pentachlorophenol ; 2,4,5-Trichlorophenoxyacetic acid ; Microbial biomass
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Geosciences , Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
    Notes: Summary Every second month for 2 years a beech forest floor was treated with pentachlorophenol and 2,4,5-trichorophenoxyacetic acid each in two concentrations. The microbial biomass and its respiration activity in the three litter horizons were measured during this time and during a recovery period of 2 years after the treatment was stopped. The microbial biomass, mainly fungi, was decreased dose-responsively, as was the respiration rate. The doubling time of the fungal biomass was estimated to be about 50–100 days in the F horizon, and considering the natural decreases and recovery times observed, it is suggested, following Domsch et al. (1983), that a biomass decrease of 75%–93.75% is tolerable, a decrease of less than 75% is negligible, and a decrease of over 93.75% is critical.
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  • 37
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    Biology and fertility of soils 9 (1990), S. 301-305 
    ISSN: 1432-0789
    Keywords: Cellulose decomposition ; H2 transfer ; Microbial biomass ; Microbial succession ; Community structure ; Wetland rice soil
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Geosciences , Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
    Notes: Summary The development of a microbial community on cellulose (cellophane film and filter paper) buried in waterlogged soil was observed under a microscope. Throughout the decomposition of the cellulose, the biomass, immobilized N, ATP and gas metabolism of the microbial community were examined. As cellulose decomposition progressed, a microbial succession was recognized. This succession was divided into two stages. In the first stage, a few types of cellulolytic microorganisms predominated on the cellulose. Vigorous decomposition of the cellulose was accompanied by a rapid increase in microbial biomass, and H2 was evolved from the microbial community on the cellulose. In the second stage, the rate of cellulose decomposition was slow. The cellulose remaining was thickly covered with various types of microoganisms. The H2 produced was consumed by the microorganisms closely adhering to the remaining cellulose. In addition, non-cellular organic N accumulated on the remaining cellulose. A large part of the microorganisms seemed to be dormant in this stage. The trends in this microbial succession were similar to those found in ecosystem successions.
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  • 38
    ISSN: 1432-0789
    Keywords: Wetland rice soils ; Nitrogen fixation ; Sesbania rostrata ; PK fertilization ; Soil Mn ; Acetylene reduction assay ; ARA ; Green manure ; N dilution method
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Geosciences , Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
    Notes: Abstract The performance of Sesbania rostrata varies widely from site to site. This makes it difficult to predict the N yield and biomass of this plant in marginally productive soils, and to arouse the interest of farmers in green manure technology. Three consecutive pot experiments were conducted in a greenhouse at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) to evaluate growth, nodulation, N2 fixation (C2H2 reduction assay and 15N dilution method), and N yield of 6-week-old S. rostrata on 13 physicochemically different wetland rice soils of the Philippines and on three artificial substrates. The performance of S. rostrata on the unfertilized controls was compared with two fertilizer treatments containing either P (100 mg P kg-1 dry soil) or P+K (100 mg P kg-1 and 200 mg K kg-1 dry soil). In the control soils and substrates, the N yield of S. rostrata varied between 20 and 470 mg N per pot, with the N rate from N2 fixation ranging between 0 and 95%. In three of the nutritionally poor soils even Mn toxicity symptoms apparently occurred with S. rostrata. P application alleviated these symptoms and increased the overall N yield considerably, mainly through increased biological N2 fixation. An additional increase in N yield was obtained by the PK treatment. Multiple regression analysis between soil characteristics and the N yield of S. rostrata showed that the original level of P (Olsen-extracted) and Mn in the soil accounted for 73% of the variance in biomass production by S. rostrata among the unfertilized soils and substrates.
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  • 39
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    Biology and fertility of soils 20 (1995), S. 147-150 
    ISSN: 1432-0789
    Keywords: Faba bean ; Water stress ; Nodulation ; Nitrogen fixation ; Leghaemoglobin ; Invertase ; Protease ; K fertilizer
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Geosciences , Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
    Notes: Abstract Three-week-old nodulated faba bean plants were subjected to different levels of drought stress (onehalf, one-quarter, or one-eighth field capacity) for 5 weeks. Half the stressed plants were treated with KCl at 10 mg kg-1 soil or 150 mg kg-1 soil at the beginning of the drought stress. Nodulation and nitrogenase activity were significantly decreased by increasing drought stress. Leghaemoglobin and protein contents of nodule cytosol were also severely inhibited by drought sttess. This decline was attributed to the induction of protease activity. However, carbohydrate contents of the nodule cytosol increased significantly. This accumulation was attributed to a sharp decline in invertase activity and low use of sugar by the bacteroids We conclude that harmful effects of water deficits can be alleviated by increasing K+ supplementation.
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  • 40
    ISSN: 1432-0789
    Keywords: Leucaena ; Nodulation ; Nitrogen fixation ; Nitrogen use ; 15N ; Time course
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Geosciences , Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
    Notes: Abstract The dynamics of nodulation, N2-fixation and N use in Leucaena leucocephala cv. K28 over time was investigated in a screenhouse at 4, 8, 12 and 16 months after planting (MAP) using the 15N-labelling method. Leucaena had a consistently increasing pattern of nodulation, dry biomass and nitrogen yield. A sharp rise in nodulation was observed between 12 and 16 MAP, whereas for biomass, N accumulation and N2-fixation, and N2-fixation, an upward surge occurred between 4 and 12 months. Nodulation, N accumulation, N2-fixation and biomass yield all peaked at 16 MAP. Along with the steady increase in N2-fixation throughout the 16-month growth period, the % N derived from the atmosphere rose from 17.9% to 61.5%, 70.1% and 74%, equivalent to 191, 1623, 2395 and 3385 mg N2 fixed plant-1 at 4, 8, 12 and 16 MAP, respectively. Nitrogen assimilation from soil and fertilizer decreased inversely to the increase in symbiotic nitrogen fixation with time.
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  • 41
    ISSN: 1432-0789
    Keywords: Mungbean ; Vigna radiata ; Nitrogen fixation ; Hydrogen uptake ; Mutation ; Nitrosoguanidine
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Geosciences , Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
    Notes: Abstract H2 uptake activity was well distributed in Rhizobium sp. strains isolated from nodules of mung-bean (Vigna radiata L.). Two effective strains, RMP1 und RMP2, exhibiting significantly higher H2 uptake activity were subjected to mutagenesis with nitrosoguanidine. The respective mutation frequencies were 0.18 and 0.19%. Three Hup- mutants each of RMP1 und RMP2 were compared with the wild-type parent strains under pot culture experiments to evaluate the significance of the H2 uptake system in biological N2 fixation. Nodulation capabilities, plant growth characteristics, and the chlorophyll content of the leaves were significantly reduced in the plants treated with Hup- mutants. Nitrogenase activity in Hup- nodules was reduced by 8–41%. Similarly, N accumulation was also reduced singificantly.
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  • 42
    ISSN: 1432-0789
    Keywords: Herbaspirillum ; Endophytes of Gramineae ; Diazotrophs ; Survival in soil ; Nitrogen fixation ; sugarcane
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Geosciences , Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
    Notes: Abstract Since the first description of Herbaspirillum seropedicae in 1986, few data have been published on this diazotroph, possibly due to difficulties in isolating it from soil. In the present study we found that this bacterium seems to be an obligate endophyte which has been isolated from roots, stems, and leaves of a large number of samples of more than 10 different species of the Gramineae family, but only exceptionally from other plants. H. rubrisubalbicans, previously misnamed as “Pseudomonas” rubrisubalbicans, and known as a mild pathogen of sugarcane causing mottled stripe disease, confirms the endophytie habitat of this genus. This species occurs in roots, stems, and leaves of sugarcane and seems to be restricted to this crop. Inoculation of strains from both species into soil in high numbers resulted in a rapid decline in their numbers. In only 30 days the population of Herbaspirillum spp. in soil decreased below detection limits (〈100 cells g-1). When sorghum was planted in this soil, the bacteria reappeared and multiplied within the plant tissues.
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  • 43
    ISSN: 1432-0789
    Keywords: 15N transformations ; Crop residues ; Soil texture ; Soil aggregation ; Microbial pool ; Microbial biomass
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Geosciences , Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
    Notes: Abstract In a greenhouse pot study, we examined the availability of N to grain sorghum from organic and inorganic N sources. The treatments were15N-labeled clover residues, wheat residues, and fertilizer placed on a sandy clay loam and loamy sand soil surface for an 8-week period. Soil aggregates formed under each soil texture were measured after 8 weeks for each treatment. Significantly greater 15N was taken up and recovered by grain sorghum in sandy clay loam pots compared with loamy sand pots. Greater 15N recovery was consistently observed with the inorganic source than the organic sources regardless of soil texture or time. Microbial biomass C and N were significantly greater for sandy clay loam soil compared with the loamy sand. Microbial biomass 15N was also significantly greater in the sandy clay loam treatment compared to the loamy sand. The fertilizer treatment initially had the greatest pool of microbial biomass 15N but decreased with time. The crop residue treatments generally had less microbial biomass 15N with time. The crop residues and soil texture had a significant effect on the water-stable aggregates formed after 8 weeks of treatments. Significantly greater water-stable aggregates were formed in the sandy clay loam than the loamy sand. Approximately 20% greater water-stable aggregates were formed under the crop residue treatments compared to the fertilizer only treatment. Soil texture seemed to be one of the most important factors affecting the availability of N from organic or inorganic N sources in these soils.
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  • 44
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    Biology and fertility of soils 21 (1996), S. 245-251 
    ISSN: 1432-0789
    Keywords: Crop productivity ; Microbial biomass ; Cash grain ; Conventional farming ; Low-input agriculture ; NH uptake
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Geosciences , Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
    Notes: Abstract Soil quality indices are attempts to classify soil conditions and to compare these conditions to their historical use. From this information it may be possible to determine which uses of soils are better for the long-range goals of agriculture and society. With many factors involved in the profitable production of safe foodstuffs without significant degradation of the environment and soils, an indicator that represents a broad biological perspective of quality is appropriate. Among a group of biological indicators, the ratio of crop N uptake to mineralized N as determined by microbial respiration plus net mineralized N found over a growing season is an useful indicator of soil quality. An evaluation of the 12-year-old Farming Systems Trial at the Rodale Institute Research Center indicated that soils in plots that had been conventionally managed were of lower quality than soil treated with manure or planted with legume-cash grain crops.
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  • 45
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    Biology and fertility of soils 21 (1996), S. 284-292 
    ISSN: 1432-0789
    Keywords: Basal respiration ; Long-term effect ; Metabolic quotient ; Microbial biomass ; Osmotic potential ; Pasture soil ; Phosphate fertilizers ; Substrate-induced respiration (SIR)
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Geosciences , Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
    Notes: Abstract The objective of the present work was to examine the effects of phosphate fertilizers on the microbial activity of pasture soils. Various microbial characteristics were measured using soils from an existing long-term phosphate fertilizer field trial and a short-term incubation experiment. The measurements included basal respiration, substrate induced respiration, inhibition of substrate-induced respiration by streptomycin sulphate (fungal activity) and actidione (bacterial activity) and microbial biomass C. The long-term field trials was initiated during 1985 to examine the effectiveness of different sources of phosphate fertilizers (single superphosphate, North Carolina phosphate rock, partially acidulated North Carolina phosphate rock, and diammonium phosphate) on pasture yield. The incubation experiment was conducted for 8 weeks using the same soil and the sources of phosphate fertilizers used in the field trial. In the incubation experiment the fertilizer addition caused an initial decrease in basal and substrate-induced respiration but had no effect on total microbial biomass. The initial decline in basal and substrate-induced respiration with the fertilizer addition was restored within 8 weeks after incubation. In the field experiment the fertilizer addtion had no significant effect on basal respiration but increased substrate-induced respiration and microbial biomass C. The short-term and the long-term effects of phosphate fertilizer addition on the microbial characteristies of the soils are discussed in relation to its effects on pH, salt concentration, and the nutrient status of the soils.
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  • 46
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    Biology and fertility of soils 25 (1997), S. 1-6 
    ISSN: 1432-0789
    Keywords: Key words Tillage ; Soil enzymes ; Microbial biomass ; Dehydrogenase activity ; Nucleic acids ; Farming practices
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Geosciences , Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
    Notes: Abstract Modification of soil environment by different farming practices can significantly affect crop growth. Tillage causes soil disturbance, altering the vertical distribution of soil organic matter and plant nutrient supplies in the soil surface, and it may affect the enzyme activity and microbial biomass which are responsible for transformation and cycling of organic matter and plant nutrients. In this study, the influence of three conventional tillage systems (shallow plowing, deep plowing and scarification) at different depths on the distribution and activity of enzymes, microbial biomass and nucleic acids in a cropped soil was investigated. Analysis of variance for depth and tillage showed the influence of the different tillage practices on the activity of some enzymes and on the nucleic acids. Glucosidase, galactosidase, nitrate reductase and dehydrogenase activity were significantly affected by the three tillage modalities. Activity in the upper layer (0–20 cm) was higher in the plots tilled by shallow plowing and scarification than in those tilled by deep plowing. Positive relationships were observed between the soil enzymes themselves, with the exception of urease and pyrophosphatase activity. Moreover, significant correlations were found between DNA and β-galactosidase, and between RNA and β-glucosidase, β-galactosidase, alkaline phosphatase and phosphodiesterase. α-Glucosidase, β-galactosidase, alkaline phosphatase and phosphodiesterase were highly correlated with biomass C determined by the fumigation-extraction method.
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  • 47
    ISSN: 1432-0789
    Keywords: Key words Acetylene reduction assay ; Anabaena sp. ; Ammonium ; Cyanobacteria ; Nitrogen fixation ; Wetland rice fields ; Nitrogenase activity
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Geosciences , Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
    Notes: Abstract Short- and long-term experiments were conducted in the rice fields of Valencia, Spain, to determine the ecological significance of ammonium on nitrogen fixation. A significant inhibition of nitrogenase activity by ammonium, at concentrations higher than 0.5mM, was observed after 8h of incubation in short-term experiments done with a bloom of the N2-fixing cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. In a second set of short-term experiments for in situ assays of nitrogenase activity in the field, a significant correlation between nitrogenase activity and the number of N2-fixing cyanobacteria in soil was found. No significant inhibition of nitrogenase activity by ammonium at concentrations up to 2mM was observed in these assays after 24h of incubation. This lack of inhibition was probably due to the rapid decrease in ammonium content in the flood water. Only 5% of the ammonium initially added remained in the water 24h later. In the long-term experiments, nitrogenase activity was assayed in plots fertilized with 0, 70 and 140kgNha–1, over the cultivation cycle, for 5 years. A partial inhibition of nitrogenase activity by deep-placed N fertilizers was observed. Differences were only significant in 2 years. Mean results from 5 years only showed significant differences between plots fertilized with 0 and 140kgNha–1. The partial inhibition of nitrogenase activity by ammonium increased over the cultivation cycle. Inhibition was only significant in September, at the end of the cultivation cycle.
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  • 48
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    Biology and fertility of soils 25 (1997), S. 407-415 
    ISSN: 1432-0789
    Keywords: Key wordsBradyrhizobium japonicum ; Bradyrhizobium elkanii ; Genetic variability ; Glycine max ; Nitrogen fixation
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Geosciences , Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
    Notes: Abstract Several years of research have shown that there is a high genetic and physiological variability among Bradyrhizobium japonicum strains, culminating in a subdivision into two bacterial genotypes, and the description of the new species B. elkanii. In Brazil, large-scale soybean inoculation started in 1960 and today 15 million doses of inoculants are sold per year for an estimated area of 12 million ha. Efforts have been made to find strains able to fix high amounts of N2 under Brazilian soil conditions, but few laboratories cover basic studies on N2 fixation, such as strain classification into the two Bradyrhizobium species. In this study several characteristics of 40 soybean Bradyrhizobium strains, including 4 reference strains of B. japonicum (genotype I) species, 3 of B. elkanii (genotype II) and 1 of a mixed genotype were evaluated. The parameters analysed in vitro were: colony morphology, serological grouping, intrinsic resistance to antibiotics, synthesis of indole acetic acid, expression of hydrogenase activity and growth in a medium enriched with asparagine. In vivo, analyses performed included the nodulation of Rj 4 soybean cultivar Hill and the detection of symptoms caused by rhizobitoxine. These evaluations allowed a phenotypic grouping which positioned most of the strains utilized in Brazilian inoculants and studies, as well as some new strains isolated from the Cerrado region, within the species B. elkanii. However, environmental stresses and adaptation of Bradyrhizobium strains to the soil caused a large physiological and genetic variability in some isolates from the Cerrado soils in relation to the putative parental strain introduced 15 years ago, placing these isolates in an intermediate position between the two Bradyrhizobium species.
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  • 49
    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.
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  • 50
    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.
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  • 51
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    Biology and fertility of soils 29 (1999), S. 430-433 
    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.
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  • 52
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    Biology and fertility of soils 27 (1998), S. 60-64 
    ISSN: 1432-0789
    Keywords: Key words Acacia spp. ; Bradyrhizobium ; Rhizobium ; Nitrogen fixation ; Nitrogen accumulation
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Geosciences , Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
    Notes: Abstract  Endosymbionts from the Ethiopian highland acacia species Acacia abyssinica, A. negrii and A. etbaica, and the lowland species A. nilotica, A. prasinata, A.senegal, A. seyal, A. tortilis and Faidherbia (Acacia) albida were isolated and characterized. Seven tree species were found to be nodulated by species of both Rhizobium and Bradyrhizobium. F. (Acacia) albida and A. senegal were nodulated by only Bradyrhizobium or Rhizobium, respectively. In A. abyssinica, both genera were isolated from the same nodule, whereas in A. nilotica and A. tortilis, both strains were isolated from different nodules of the same plant. The nitrogen fixation (acetylene reduction) activities varied considerably and showed no correlation with the nitrogen content of the plant. Highland species were as effective as lowland plants, thus demonstrating good potential for soil reclamation. The endosymbionts isolated proved rather promiscuous, efficiently nodulating other Acacia spp. and some tropical grain legumes, but did not nodulate temperate legumes.
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  • 53
    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.
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  • 54
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    Biology and fertility of soils 27 (1998), S. 393-399 
    ISSN: 1432-0789
    Keywords: Key words Bradyrhizobium japonicum ; Bradyrhizobium elkanii ; Competitiveness ; Nitrogen fixation ; Soybean
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Geosciences , Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
    Notes: Abstract  In a previous study soybean Bradyrhizobium strains, used in Brazilian studies and inoculants over the last 30 years, and strains adapted to the Brazilian Cerrados, a region frequently submitted to environmental and nutritional stresses, were analyzed for 32 morphological and physiological parameters in vivo and in vitro. A cluster analysis allowed the subdivision of these strains into species Bradyrhizobium japonicum, Bradyrhizobium elkanii and a mixed genotype. In this study, the bacteria were analyzed for nodulation, N2 fixation capacity, nodule occupancy and the ability to increase yield. The goal was to find a relationship between the strain groups and the symbiotic performance. Two strains of Brazilian B. japonicum showed higher rates of N2 fixation and nodule efficiency (mg of N mg–1 of nodules) under axenic conditions. These strains also showed greater yield increases in field experiments when compared to B. elkanii strains. However, no differences were detected between B. japonicum and B. elkanii strains when comparing nodule occupancy capacity. The adapted strains belonging to the serogroup B. elkanii SEMIA 566, most clustered in a mixed genotype, were more competitive than the parental strain, and some showed a higher capacity of N2 fixation. Some of the adapted strains, such as S-370 and S-372, have shown similar N2 fixation rates and nodulation competitiveness to two Brazilian strains of B. japonicum. This similarity demonstrates the possibility of enhancing N2 fixing ability, after local adaptation, even within B. elkanii species. Differences in the DNA profiles were also detected between the parental SEMIA 566 and the adapted strains by analyses with the ERIC and REP-PCR techniques. Consequently, genetic, morphological and physiological changes can be a result of adaptation of rhizobia to the soil. This variability can be used to select strains capable of increasing the contribution of N2 fixation to soybean nutrition.
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  • 55
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    Biology and fertility of soils 28 (1999), S. 156-161 
    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.
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  • 56
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    Biology and fertility of soils 30 (2000), S. 363-373 
    ISSN: 1432-0789
    Keywords: Key words Azospirillum species ; Oxygen paradox ; Nitrogen fixation ; Rhizosphere ; Nitrogenase complex
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Geosciences , Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
    Notes: Abstract  N2 fixation by aerobic bacteria is a very energy demanding process, requiring efficient oxidative phosphorylation, while O2 is toxic for the nitrogenase complex. N2-fixing bacteria have evolved a variety of strategies to cope with this apparent "O2 paradox". This review compares strategies that azospirilla and other well-known N2-fixing soil bacteria use to overcome this O2 paradox. Attention will be given to the relationships between the natural habitat of these soil bacteria and their prevailing adaptations. In view of this knowledge the following questions will be addressed: are the specific adaptations observed in azospirilla sufficient to allow optimal proliferation and N2 fixation in their natural habitat? Could improving the O2 tolerance of the N2-fixing process contribute to the development of more efficient strains for the inoculation of plants?
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  • 57
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    Biology and fertility of soils 28 (1999), S. 253-258 
    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.
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  • 58
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    Biology and fertility of soils 28 (1999), S. 259-266 
    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.
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  • 59
    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.
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  • 60
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    Biology and fertility of soils 31 (2000), S. 157-161 
    ISSN: 1432-0789
    Keywords: Key words Tillage systems ; Microbial biomass ; Carbon mineralization ; Active microbial biomass
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Geosciences , Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
    Notes: Abstract  Conservation tillage, and especially no-tillage, induce changes in the distribution of organic pools in the soil profile. In long-term field experiments, marked stratification of the total soil microbial biomass and its activity have been observed as consequence of the application of no-tillage to previously tilled soils. Our objective was to study the evolution of the total and active soil microbial biomass and mineralized C in vitro during the first crop after the introduction of no-tillage to an agricultural soil. The experiment was performed on a Typic Hapludoll from the Argentinean Pampa. Remaining plant residues, total and active microbial biomass and mineralized C were determined at 0–5 cm and 5–15 cm depths, at three sampling times: wheat tilling, silking and maturity. The introduction of no-tillage produced an accumulation of plant residues in the soil surface layer (0–5 cm), showing stratification with depth at all sampling dates. Active microbial biomass and C mineralization were higher under no-tillage than under conventional tillage in the top 5 cm of the profile. The total soil microbial biomass did not differ between treatments. The active soil biomass was highly and positive correlated with plant residues (r 2=0.617;P〈0.01) and with mineralized C (r 2=0.732;P〈0.01). Consequently, the active microbial biomass and mineralized C reflected immediately the changes in residue management, whereas the total microbial biomass seemed not to be an early indicator of the introduction of a new form of soil management in our experiment.
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  • 61
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    Biology and fertility of soils 31 (2000), S. 261-269 
    ISSN: 1432-0789
    Keywords: Key words Cover crops ; Mixed residues ; Microbial biomass ; N-mineralization ; Soil organic matter fractions
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Geosciences , Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
    Notes: Abstract  The fate of 15N-labeled plant residues from different cover-cropping systems and labeled inorganic N fertilizer in the organic, soil mineral, microbial biomass and soil organic matter (SOM) particle-size fractions was investigated in a sandy Lixisol. Plant residues were from mucuna (legume), lablab (legume), imperata (grass), maize (cereal) and mixtures of mucuna or lablab with imperata or maize, applied as a surface mulch. Inorganic N fertilizer was applied as 15N-(NH4)2SO4 at two rates (21 and 42 mg N kg–1 soil). Total N release from mucuna or lablab residues was 2–3 times higher than from the other residues, whereas imperata immobilized N throughout the study period. In contrast, 15N was mineralized from all the plant residues irrespective of the mineralization–immobilization pattern observed for total N. After 168 days, 69% of soil mineral N in mucuna- or lablab-mulched soils was derived from the added residues, representing 4–8% of residue N, whereas 9–30% of inorganic N was derived from imperata, maize and the mixed residues. At the end of the study, 4–19% of microbial biomass N was derived from the added residue/fertilizer-N, accounting for 1–3% of added residue-N. Averaged across treatments, particulate SOM fractions accounted for less than 1% of the total soil by weight but contained 20% of total soil C and 8% of soil N. Soils amended with mucuna or lablab incorporated more N in the 250–2000 μm SOM pool, whereas soil amended with imperata or the mixed residues incorporated similar proportions of labeled N in the 250–2000 μm and 53–250 μm fractions. In contrast, in soils receiving the maize or inorganic fertilizer-N treatments, higher proportions of labeled N were incorporated into the 53–250 μm than the 250–2000 μm fractions. The relationship between these differences in residue/fertilizer-N partitioning into different SOM particle-size fractions and soil productivity is discussed.
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  • 62
    ISSN: 1432-0789
    Keywords: Key words Carbon stocks ; Microbial biomass ; Tropical agriculture
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Geosciences , Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
    Notes: Abstract  We investigated the soil organic C and N stocks, storage profiles and microbial biomass as influenced by different crop management systems in a tropical agricultural ecosystem. The different crop management systems significantly affected the C and N stocks and microbial biomass C and N at different soil depths. Amongst the systems evaluated, the rice-wheat system maintained a higher soil organic C content. Inclusion of legumes in the system improved the soil organic matter level and also soil microbial biomass activity, vital for the nutrient turnover and long-term productivity of the soil. Irrespective of the cropping system, approximately 58.4%, 25.7% and 15.9% of the C was distributed in 0–15, 15–30 and 30–60 cm depths, respectively.
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  • 63
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    Biology and fertility of soils 5 (1987), S. 83-87 
    ISSN: 1432-0789
    Keywords: Inoculation ; Inoculum dose ; Nitrogen fixation ; Chickpea ; Rhizobium spp. ; Cicer arietinum
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Geosciences , Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
    Notes: Summary The influence of three inoculum rates on the performance of three chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) Rhizobium strains was examined in the field on a Mollisol soil. Increasing amounts of inoculum improved the performance of the strains. A normal dose (104 cells per seed) applied at different intervals gave non-significant increases in nodulation, nitrogenase activity (acetylene reduction assay), nitrogen uptake and grain yield. A ten-fold increase in inoculum increased nodule number, shoot dry weight, nitrogenase activity (ARA) and grain yield, but increases over the control were significant only for nodule dry weight and nitrogen uptake by shoot and grain. The highest level of inoculum (100 × normal) significantly increased nodule dry weight, grain yield, total nitrogenase activity (ARA) and nitrogen uptake by shoot and grain. Strain TAL 620 was more effective than the other two. Combined nitrogen (60 kg N ha−1) suppressed nodulation and nitrogenase activity (ARA).
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  • 64
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    Biology and fertility of soils 5 (1987), S. 230-234 
    ISSN: 1432-0789
    Keywords: Earthworm casts ; Microbial respiration ; Microbial biomass ; Nitrogen ; Phosphorus ; Aporrectodea caliginosa
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Geosciences , Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
    Notes: Summary Microbial respiration, microbial biomass and nutrient requirements of the microflora (C, N, P) were studied in the food substrate (soil taken from the upper 3 cm of the mineral soil of a beech wood on limestone), the burrow walls and the casts of the earthworm Aporrectodea caliginosa (Savigny). The passage of the soil through the gut caused an increase in soil microbial respiration of about 90% over a 4-week period. Microbial biomass was increased only in freshly deposited casts and decreased in aging faeces to a level about 10% lower than in soil. Microbial respiration of the burrow walls was only increased over a shorter period (about 2 weeks). The microflora of the soil and the burrow walls was limited by P, whereas in earthworm casts, microbial growth was limited by the amount of available C. In aging faeces the P requirement of the microflora increased and approached that of the soil. Immobilization of phosphate in earthworm casts is probably caused by mainly abiotic processes. C mineralization by soil microflora fertilized with glucose and P was limited by N, except in freshly deposited casts. Ammonium, not nitrate, was responsible for this process. N dynamics in earthworm casts are discussed.
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  • 65
    ISSN: 1432-0789
    Keywords: Defoliation ; Microbial biomass ; Microbial populations ; Dehydrogenase activity ; Respiration ; BacteriaFungi ; Upland grassland Upland soil ; Pseudomonas spp.
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Geosciences , Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
    Notes: Abstract A microcosm study was conducted to investigate the effect of continuons plant defoliation on the composition and activity of microbial populations in the rhizosphere of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) and white clover (Trifolium repens). Continuons defoliation of ryegrass and clover resulted in sigmficant (P 〈0.01) increases in soil microbial biomass, although whilst increases were measured from day 2 in soil sown with clover significant increases were only seen from day 21 in soil sown with ryegrass. These increases were paralleled, from day 10 onwards, by increases in the numbers of culturable bacteria. Numbers ofPsendomonas spp. also increased in the later stages of the study. No influence on culturable fungal populations was detected. Whilst shifts in the composition of the microbial populations were measured in response to defoliation there was little effect on microbial activity. No changes in either dehydrogenase activity or microbial respiration in the rhizosphere of ryegrass or clover were measured in response to defoliation, but both dehydrogenase activity and microbial respiration were greater in ryegrass than clover when values over the whole study were combined. Continuous defoliation resulted in significant (P 〈0.001) reductions in the root dry weight of ryegrass and clover, of the order 19% and 16%, respectively.
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  • 66
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    Biology and fertility of soils 6 (1988), S. 39-44 
    ISSN: 1432-0789
    Keywords: Alnus ; Energy forestry ; Frankia ; Meadow soil ; Nitrogen fixation ; Nodulation ; Peat soil
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Geosciences , Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
    Notes: Summary Use of the N2-fixing grey alder, Alnus incana (L.) Moench, as a short-rotation crop for energy production is currently being explored. To evaluate the need for inoculation of alders, the distribution of infective propagules of Frankia in the soil at potential sites for alder plantations was examined. Uninoculated grey alder seedlings were grown in three types of soil. Frequent nodulation was found in a meadow soil which had been free from actinorhizal plants for nearly 60 years, but the alder seedlings failed to nodulate in peat soil from two different bog sites. One of these bogs had been exploited for peat and the surface layer of the peat had been removed, so that the soil samples were taken from deep layers of the peat. At the other site, an area of cultivated peat, there were no infective propagules of Frankia in plots without alders; the infective Frankia was present in plots only where it had been introduced by inoculated alders. There was no detectable air-borne dispersal of Frankia. Instead, water movement might account for the dispersal of Frankia in peat. Although the apparent absence of Frankia in these peat soils necessitates inoculation of alder seedlings before planting out, this makes it possible to introduce and maintain Frankia strains with selected beneficial characteristics, since there is no competition from an indigenous Frankia flora.
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  • 67
    ISSN: 1432-0789
    Keywords: Key words Genetic variability ; Vigna unguiculata ; Nitrogen-15 method ; Nitrogen fixation
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Geosciences , Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
    Notes: Abstract  N fixed in 16 cultivars of cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp] inoculated with effective Bradyrhizobium strains collected from the West African MIRCEN culture collection was measured by 15N isotope dilution technique. In all plant parts, significant differences in the percentage of N derived from the atmosphere (%Ndfa) and the amount of Ndfa occurred between the cultivars. Ndoute variety exhibited the highest %Ndfa (74.33% in shoots; 60.90% in roots) and accumulated more fixed N (960 mg N plant–1 and 38 mg N plant–1 in shoots and roots, respectively). Therefore this cultivar should be selected as the highest N-fixing cowpea cultivar. It also should be used in a breeding programme to contribute to the development of cultivars that could stimulate an intensive use of cowpea in many different cropping systems in Africa with a view to maintaining soil fertility.
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  • 68
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    Biology and fertility of soils 25 (1997), S. 169-174 
    ISSN: 1432-0789
    Keywords: Key wordsAstragalus cicer ; Nodulation ; DNA ; Milkvetch ; Nitrogen fixation ; Forage legume ; Rhizobium spp.
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Geosciences , Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
    Notes: Abstract In 1993 and 1994, 12 bacterial isolates were isolated from root nodules of cicer milkvetch (Astragalus cicer). In the tests for nodulation of A. cicer by these bacterial isolates, five were found to form hypertrophic structures, while only two formed true nodules. These true nodules were formed in a sterilized soil system. This system might be able to act as a DNA donor to provide residual DNA to other microbes in the soil. The rhizobial isolates were thought to have lost genetic material crucial to nodulation during the isolation process. This hypothesis was supported by an experiment in which isolate B2 was able to nodulate A. cicer in vermiculite culture after being mixed with heat-killed rhizobia, Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. trifolii and R. loti. The nodulation would not occur in vermiculite culture system without the heat-killed rhizobia. Based on the biochemical data, the B2 and 9462L, which formed true nodules with A. cicer, were closely related. The rhizobia type cultures that nodulate A. cicer include Bradyrhizobium japonicum, Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. trifolii, R. leguminosarum bv. viceae, and R. loti. All of these rhizobia were from different cross-inoculation groups. The B2 and 9462L isolates could only nodulate Medicago sativa, Phaseolus vulgaris, and Melilotus officinalis, but not these species within the genus from which they were isolated: Astragalus. The traditional cross-inoculation group concept obviously does not fit well in the classification of rhizobia associated with Astragalus. The rhizobia isolated from A. cicer can be quite different, and the rhizobia able to renodulate A. cicer also quite diverse.
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  • 69
    ISSN: 1432-0789
    Keywords: Nodule damage ; Rivellia angulata ; Nitrogen fixation ; Cajanus cajan ; Pigeonpea ; Vertisol
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Geosciences , Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
    Notes: Summary Damage caused by Rivellia angulata larvae to pigeonpea root nodules at the ICRISAT center in India was greater in the crop grown on Vertisols (up to 86%) compared to that on Alfisols (20%). Attempts to quantify the field effects of nodule damage on growth and yield of pigeonpea in a Vertisol, involving many heavy applications of soil insecticides (aldrin and hexachlorocyclohexane) failed because the insecticides did not control the pest and adversely affected the growth of the pigeonpea and the subsequent crop of sorghum (Sorgorum bicolor L. Moench). The impact of nodule damage on pigeonpea growth, yield and nutrient uptake was successfully studied in greenhouse-grown plants at three N levels. In this pot study, artificial inoculation with Rivellia sp. led to substantial nodule damage (70%). The results of this damage were a significant overall reduction in nodule dry weight (46%), acetylene reduction activity (31%), total leaf area (36%), chlorophyll content of leaves (39%) and shoot dry weight (23%) 68 days after sowing. At maturity, Rivellia sp. infestation caused significant reductions in top dry weight (22%), root and nodule dry weight (27%), seed dry weight (14%), and total N (29%) and P uptake (19%). The problems and prospects of manipulating nodule damage so as to reduce N losses in pigeonpea are discussed.
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  • 70
    ISSN: 1432-0789
    Keywords: Triticum aestivum ; T. turgidum ; Nitrogen fixation ; Field inoculation ; Acetylene reduction assay (ARA)
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Geosciences , Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
    Notes: Summary Eight commercial Israeli spring wheat cultivars (six Triticum aestivum and two T. turgidum) grown with 40 and 120 kg N/ha were tested for responses to inoculation with Azospirillum brasilense. At the low level of N fertilization (40 kg/ha), five cultivars showed significant increases in plant dry weight measured at the milky ripe stage; however, by maturation only the cultivar “Miriam” showed a significant increase in grain yield. Two cultivars, which had shown a positive inoculation effect at the earlier stages, had a significant decrease in grain yield. No significant effect of inoculation was found at the high N level. To confirm those results, four wheat (T. aestivum) cultivars were tested separately over 4 years in 4 different locations under varying N levels. Only Miriam showed a consistently positive effect of Azospirillum inoculation on grain yield. Inoculation increased the number of roots per plant on Miriam compared with uninoculated plants. This effect was found at all N levels. Nutrient (N, P and K) accumulation and number of fertile tillers per unit area were also enhanced by Azospirillum, but these parameters were greatly affected by the level of applied N. It is suggested that the positive response of the spring wheat cultivar “Miriam” to Azospirillum inoculation is due to its capacity to escape water stresses at the end of the growth season.
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    Biology and fertility of soils 4 (1987), S. 15-19 
    ISSN: 1432-0789
    Keywords: Nitrogen fixation ; N-balance studies ; Azolla ; Blue-green algae ; Chemical N fertilization ; Rice
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Geosciences , Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
    Notes: Summary A nitrogen balance study conducted in ceramic pots under net house conditions for four seasons showed that flooded rice soil leaves a positive nitrogen balance (N increase) in soil after rice cropping in both fertilized and unfertilized soil. Recovery of nitrogen from rice soil was more than its input in unfertilized soil, but it was reverse in fertilized soil. Incorporation of Azolla or BGA twice as basal and 20 days after transplanting (DAT) alone or in combination showed higher nitrogen balance and N2-fixation (N gain) in soil than in that where it was applied once either as basal or 20 DAT. Planted soil showed more N2-fixation than that of fallow rice, and flooded soil fixed more nitrogen in comparison to non-flooded soil in light but less in dark. Soil exposed to light fixed more nitrogen than that of unexposed soil in both flooded and non-flooded conditions.
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  • 72
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    Biology and fertility of soils 4 (1987), S. 9-14 
    ISSN: 1432-0789
    Keywords: Rhizosphere ; Nitrogen fixation ; Root exudates ; Soil bacteria ; Carbon budget ; Rice
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Geosciences , Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
    Notes: Summary The association of rice seedlings (cv. Delta) with different strains of Azospirillum was studied under monoxenic conditions in the dark. Axenic 3-day-old seedlings were obtained on a C- and N-free medium and inoculated with 6 · 107 bacteria per plant in a closed vial. Seven days later, different components of a carbon budget were evaluated on them and on sterile controls: respired CO2, carbon of shoot and roots, bacterial and soluble carbon in the medium. Two strains (A. lipoferum 4B and A. brasilense A95) isolated from the rhizosphere of rice caused an increase in exudation, + 36% and + 17% respectively compared with sterile control. Shoot carbon incorporation and respiration were reduced by inoculation. A third strain (A. brasilense R07) caused no significant change in exudation. A. lipoferum B7C isolated from maize did not stimulate rice exudation either. We further investigated a possible effect of nitrogen fixation on this phenomenon: inhibition of nitrogen fixation by 10% C2H2 did not modify the extent of C exudation by rice associated with A. lipoferum 4B or with the non-motile A. lipoferum 4T.
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  • 73
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    Biology and fertility of soils 8 (1989), S. 271-278 
    ISSN: 1432-0789
    Keywords: Microbial biomass ; Mineralizable N ; Nutrient cycling ; Chloroform fumigation
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Geosciences , Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
    Notes: Summary Organic-matter dynamics near the soil surface influence plant nutrient supplies. To evaluate the effects of cultivation on active soil organic-matter distribution in the surface 15 cm, we measured total organic C, Kjeldahl N, microbial biomass C and N (chloroform fumigation), respirable C and mineralizable N (aerobic incubations) in 1-cm layers from 0–10 cm and in 2.5-cm layers from 10–15 cm in adjacent areas of undisturbed (shortgrass steppe) and cultivated (four years wheat-fallow rotation) Ascalon sandy loam soil (Aridic Argiustoll). The active organic matter was highly concentrated in the surface centimeter of undisturbed soil. In undisturbed soil, microbial biomass C and N concentrations were more than five times greater at 0–1 cm than at 2–15 cm. Respirable-C and mineralizable-N concentrations (20-day incubations) were 8 and 18 times greater at 0–1 cm than at 2–15 cm. Below 3 cm, the concentrations were equal in both cultivated and undisturbed soil. Cultivation reduced the average concentrations at 0-15 cm of microbial biomass C and N by 62% and 32%, and of respirable C and mineralizable N by 71% and 46%, by reducing the concentrations at 0-1 cm to levels comparable to the 2- to 15-cm layers of the undisturbed soil. Decreases after cultivation ensued from disrupting the surface 1-cm layer.
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  • 74
    ISSN: 1432-0789
    Keywords: Nitrogen fixation ; Atriplex spp. ; Root-associated diazotrops ; Acetylene reduction assy (ARA) ; Saline sodic soils ; Enterobacter agglomerans
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Geosciences , Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
    Notes: Summary TwoAtriplex spp. growing in low-fertility saline sodic soils were assayed for root-associated nitrogenase activity. The excised washed and unwashed root of the two species.A. lentiformis andA. amnicola, showed high root-associated nitrogenase activity. Acetylene-reducing activity seemed to be directly influenced by moisture. The highest number of diazotrophs, enumerated using a most probable number technique was observed on the root surface. Most of the isolated diazotrophs were identified asEnterobacter agglomerans. Root-associated nitrogenase activity inAtriplex spp. may explain the high protein and biomass content of these plants growing in low-fertility saline sodic soils.
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  • 75
    ISSN: 1432-0789
    Keywords: Arion rufus ; Slug cast material ; Mucus ; Nutrient leaching ; Microbial biomass
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Geosciences , Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
    Notes: Abstract We investigated the effects of slug (Arion rufus L.) mucus and cast material on litter decomposition, nutrient mobilization, and microbial activity in two laboratory experiments: (1) Slug mucus and cast material was added to beech leaf litter (Fagus sylvatica L.), and leaching of N and P and CO2 production in microcosm systems were measured during 77 days of incubation; (2) mucus was added to beech leaf litter, and basal respiration, microbial biomass (substrate-induced respiration), specific respiration (qO2), microbial growth ability after C, CN, CP, and CNP amendment, and lag time (time between CNP addition and start of exponential increase in respiration rate) were measured during 120 days of incubation. Leaching of N and P from beech leaf litter was significantly increased in treatments with mucus or faecal material of A. rufus. Following day 3, slug mucus increased nitrification processes. Mucus addition to beech leaf litter also increased basal respiration and microbial biomass significantly. In contrast, specific respiration was not significantly affected by mucus addition, and generally declined until day 60 but then increased until day 120. Nutrient amendments indicated that between days 1 and 30, N was available for microbial growth in litter with mucus but not in control litter. Generally, the lag time in beech leaf litter with added mucus was shorter than in control litter. Lag times generally increased with age, indicating dominance of slow-growing microbial populations at later stages as a consequence of depletion of easily available C resources and nutrients. We conclude that C, N, and P cycling is accelerated by slug activity.
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  • 76
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    Biology and fertility of soils 23 (1996), S. 7-14 
    ISSN: 1432-0789
    Keywords: Key words Acid rain ; Coniferous humus ; Ergosterol ; Microbial biomass ; Muramic acid ; Soil respiration ; Subarctic areas
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Geosciences , Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
    Notes: Abstract Humus chemistry and respiration rate, ATP, ergosterol, and muramic acid concentration as measures of chemical properties, microbial activity, biomass, and indicators of fungal and bacterial biomass were studied in a long-term acid rain experiment in the far north of Finnish Lapland. The treatments used in this study were dry control, irrigated control (spring water, pH 6), and two levels of simulated acid rain (pH 4 and pH 3). Originally (1985–1988), simulated acid rain was prepared by adding both H2SO4 and HNO3 (1.9:1 by weight). In 1989 the treatments were modified as follows. In subarea 1 the treatments continued unchanged (H2SO4+HNO3 in rain to pH 4 and pH 3), but in subarea 2 only H2SO4 was applied. The plots were sampled in 1992. The acid application affected humus chemistry by lowering the pH, cation exchange capacity, and base saturation (due to a decrease in Ca and Mg) in the treatment with H2SO4+HNO3 to pH 4 (total proton load over 8 years 2.92 kmol ha–1), whereas the microbial variables were not affected at this proton load, and only the respiration rate decreased by 20% in the strongest simulated acid rain treatment (total proton load 14.9 kmol ha–1). The different ratios of H2SO4+HNO3 in subareas 1 and 2 did not affect the results.
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  • 77
    ISSN: 1432-0789
    Keywords: Basal respiration ; Metabolic quotient (qCO2) ; Microbial biomass ; Substrate-induced respiration (SIR) ; Fumigation-extraction (FE) ; Clear-cutting ; Humus ; Greenhouse effect
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Geosciences , Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
    Notes: Abstract In studying the basal respiration, microbial biomass (substrate-induced respiration, SIR), and metabolic quotient (qCO2) in western red cedar (Thuja plicata Donn ex D. Don)-western hemlock [(Tsuga heterophylla Raf.) Sarg.] ecosystems (old-growth forests, 3- and 10-year-old plantations) on northern Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada, we predicted that (1) soil basal respiration would be reduced by harvesting and burning, reflecting the reduction in microbial biomass and activities; (2) the microbial biomass would be reduced by harvesting and slash-burning, due to the excessive heat of the burning or due to reduced substrate availability; (3) microbial biomass in the plantations would tend to recover to the preharvesting levels with growth of the trees and increased substrate availability; and (4) microbial biomass measured by the SIR method would compare well with that measured by the fumigation-extraction (FE) method. Decaying litter layer (F), woody F (Fw) and humus layer (H) materials were sampled four times in the summer of 1992. The results obtained supported the four predictions. Microbial biomass was reduced in the harvested and slash-burned plots. Both SIR and FE methods provided equally good estimates of microbial biomass in the samples [SIR microbial C (mg g-1)=0.227+0.458 FE microbial C (mg g-1), r=0.63, P=0.0001] and proved suitable for microbial biomass measurements in this strongly acidic soil. Basal respiration was significantly greater in the old-growth forests than in the young plantations (P〈0.05) in both F and H layers, but not in the Fw layer. For the 3- and 10-year-old plantations, there was no difference in basal respiration in F, Fw, and H layers. Basal respiration was related to changes in air temperature, precipitation, and the soil moisture contant at the time of sampling. The qCO2 values were higher in the old-growth stands than in the plantations. Clear-cutting followed by prescribed burning did not increase soil microbial respiration, but CO2 released from slash-burning and that contributed from other sources may be of concern to increasing atmospheric CO2 concentrations.
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  • 78
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    Biology and fertility of soils 22 (1996), S. 171-178 
    ISSN: 1432-0789
    Keywords: Aporrectodea nocturna ; Dispersal ; Cast production ; Modelling ; Earthworms ; Soil moisture ; Microbial biomass ; Prealpine meadow
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Geosciences , Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
    Notes: Abstract Field and laboratory experiments were carried out to describe the effects of Aporrectodea nocturna on soil characteristics in a pre-alpine meadow and to support the development of a model of cast production. In the prealpine meadow, increased cast production, first observed about 20 years ago around a newly planted hedge, was recorded to a distance of maximal 170 m from the hedge. Numbers of A. nocturna between 130 and 165 m from the hedge decreased from 164 to 16 individuals m-2. In the same area cast production steadily decreased from about 1.5 kg m-2 week-1 to nil, the plant community structure changed and the microbial biomass decreased, but the root biomass and the moisture content did not change. Laboratory experiments demonstrated that high cast production was not a specific feature of the A. nocturna population nor of the soil in the meadow. Diapause of A. nocturna was terminated in the laboratory during September. A model of cast production potential by the earthworm A. nocturna was established using laboratory determinations of the relationships with body weight, temperature, and water potential. The model was shown to predict cast production in the field given the assumption that the water potential was 0 MPa. According to the model, 81% of surface cast production was by juveniles, and 19% by adults of A. nocturna.
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  • 79
    ISSN: 1432-0789
    Keywords: Key words Farmyard manure ; Long-term experiment ; Michaelis constant ; Microbial biomass ; NPK fertilizers ; Respiratory activity ; Glucose affinity
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Geosciences , Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
    Notes: Abstract We determined the size, activity, and affinity of the microbial community for glucose in soils from long-term experimental grassland plots. The plots had been treated annually with either farmyard manure, inorganic NPK fertilizers, farmyard manure+inorganic NPK fertilizers, (NH4)2SO4 only, or no experimental amendment since 1897. The largest biomass and activity differences were between the (NH4)2SO4-treated soil, which was very acid, and the rest, which were nearer neutral. In the (NH4)2SO4-treated soil, the biomass C to organic C ratio was small, but overall the community had high respiratory activity per unit of biomass (qCO2) and high overall affinity for glucose (low K m). The effects of the manure treatment were a greater biomass C and a lower overall glucose affinity than in the control plot. In the presence farmyard manure, NPK led to smaller biomass and a lower biomass to organic C ratio while having no significant effect on either glucose K m or qCO2. In the absence of farmyard manure, NPK led to significantly greater glucose affinity but had no significant effect on the biomass, the biomass C to organic C ratio or qCO2.
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  • 80
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    Biology and fertility of soils 19 (1995), S. 231-238 
    ISSN: 1432-0789
    Keywords: Farmyard manure ; Fertilizer ; Microbial biomass ; Dryland agroecosystem ; Rice ; Lentil
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Geosciences , Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
    Notes: Abstract Changes in the soil microbial biomass following applications of farmyard manure and inorganic fertilizer, alone and in combination, were studied for two annual cycles in a rice-lentil crop sequence grown under rainfed tropical dryland conditions. During the two annual cycles the microbial biomass C range (μg g-1) was 146–241 (x = 204), 191–301 (245), 244–382 (305), and 294–440 (365) in control, fertilizer, manure and manure+fertilizer plots, respectively. The corresponding ranges for microbial biomass N (μg g-1) were 16.5–21.0 (19.5), 20.4–38.2 (26.0), 23.0–34.6 (27.0) and 26.2–42.4 (33.3), and for microbial biomass P (μg g-1) 4.4–8.2 (7.0) 6.0–11.2 (9.6), 11.2–22.0 (17.0), and 10.0–25.4 (18.3). The maximum increase in the microbial biomass, due to these inputs was observed under the manure+fertilizer treatment followed, in decreasing order, by manure alone and fertilizer alone. Within individual crop periods the levels of microbial biomass decreased sharply from the seedling to the flowering stage and then increased slightly with crop maturity. The maximum levels of microbial biomass C and P were observed during the summer fallow. The maximum accumulation of microbial biomass N occurred in the early rainy season, immediately after the soil amendments. Microbial biomass C, N, and P were positively related to each other throughout the annual cycle.
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  • 81
    ISSN: 1432-0789
    Keywords: Microbial biomass ; In situ N mineralization ; Fertilizer ; Prescribed fire ; Eucalyptus forest
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Geosciences , Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
    Notes: Abstract The effects of a range of fertilizer applications and of repeated low-intensity prescribed fires on microbial biomass C and N, and in situ N mineralization were studied in an acid soil under subalpine Eucalyptus pauciflora forest near Canberra, Australia. Fertilizer treatments (N, P, N+P, line + P, sucrose + P), and P in particular, tended to lower biomass N. The fertilizer effects were greatest in spring and smaller in summer and late actumn. Low-intensity prescribed fire lowered biomass N at a soil depth of 0–5 cm with the effect being greater in the most frequently burnt soils. No interactions between fire treatments, season, and depth were significant. Only the lime + P and N+P treatments significantly affected soil microbial biomass C contents. The N+P treatment increased biomass C only at 0–2.5 cm in depth, but the soil depth of entire 0–10 cm had much higher (〉doubled) biomass C values in the line + P treatment. Frequent (two or three times a year) burning reduced microbial boomass C, but the reverse was true in soils under forest burn at intervals of 7 years. Soil N mineralization was increased by the addition of N and P (alone or in combination), line + P, and sucrose + P to the soil. The same was true for the ratio of N mineralization to biomass N. Soil N mineralization was retarded by repeated fire treatments, especially the more frequent fire treatment where rates were only about half those measured in unburnt soils. There was no relationship between microbial biomass N (kg N ha-1) and the field rates of soil N mineralization (kg N ha-1 month-1). The results suggest that although soil microbial biomass N represents a distinct pool of N, it is not a useful measure of N turnover.
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  • 82
    ISSN: 1432-0789
    Keywords: Soil carbon ; Crop rotation ; Legumes ; Cover crop ; Nitrogen fertilization ; Microbial biomass ; Soil health ; Gossypium hirsutum ; Zea mays ; Trifolium incarnatum ; Glycine max
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Geosciences , Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
    Notes: Abstract The “Old Rotation” cotton experiment was designed to aid farm managers in implementing rotation schemes that not only increase yield, but also improve soil quality. Six different crop rotation treatments were imposed since 1896. Rotations were: IA, cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) grown every year without a winter legume and without N fertilization; IB, cotton grown every year with a winter legume and without N fertilization; IC, cotton grown every year without a winter legume and with 134 kg N as NH4NO3 ha-1 year-1; IIA, 2-year cotton-corn (Zea mays L.) rotation with a winter legume and without N fertilization; IIB, 2-year cotton-corn rotation with a winter legume and with 134 kg N ha-1 year-1 as NH4NO3; and III, 3-year cotton-corn- alternating soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] or rye (Secale cereale L.) rotation with a winter legume and with 134 g N as NH4NO3 ha-1 year-1. Crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum L.) was the winter legume cover crop. The 2-year cotton-corn rotation with a winter legume and with 134 kg N ha-1 year-1 (IIB) and the 3-year cotton-corn soybean/rye rotation with a winter legume and with 134 kg N ha-1 year-1 (III) had higher amounts of soil organic matter, soil microbial biomass C and crop yield than the other four treatments. The cotton grown every year without a winter legume or N fertilizer (IA) had a lower amount of soil organic matter, soil microbial biomass C and N and cotton seed yield than all other rotations. In 1988 and 1992 cotton seed and legume yield were correlated in positive, curvilinear relationships with soil organic matter (r 2 ranged from 0.72 to 0.87). In most months, soil microbial biomass C and N was lower in the cotton grown every year without winter legumes or fertilizer (IA) than the other five rotations. In 1994, microbial biomass C and the Cmic:Corg ratio correlated in positive, curvilinear relationships with seed cotton yield (r 2=0.87 and 0.98, respectively). After 99 years of management the “Old Rotation” cotton experiment indicates that winter legumes increase amounts of both C and N in soil, which ultimately contribute to higher cotton yields. Microbial biomass C and the Cmic:Corg ratio are poor predictors of annual crop yield but may be an accurate indicator of soil health and a good predictor of long-term crop yield.
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  • 83
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    Biology and fertility of soils 19 (1995), S. 322-326 
    ISSN: 1432-0789
    Keywords: Soil texture ; Spatial distribution ; Microbial biomass ; Metabolic quotient ; Hops
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Geosciences , Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
    Notes: Abstract The effects of soil texture (silt loam or sandy loam) and cultivation practice (green manure) on the size and spatial distribution of the microbial biomass and its metabolic quotient were investigated in soils planted with a permanent row crop of hops (Humulus lupulus). The soil both between and in the plant rows was sampled at three different depths (0–10, 10–20, and 20–30 cm). The silt loam had a higher overall microbial biomass C concentration (260 μg g-1) than the sandy loam (185 μg g-1), whereas the sandy loam had a higher (3.1 μg CO2-C mg-1 microbial Ch-1) metabolic quotient than the silt loam (2.6 μg CO2-C mg-1 microbial C h-1), on average over depth (0–30 cm) and over all treatments. There was a sharp decrease in the microbial biomass with increasing depth for all plots. However, this was more pronounced in the silt loam than in the sandy loam. There was no distinct influence of sampling depth on the metabolic quotient. The microbial biomass was considerably higher in the rows than between the rows, especially in the silt loam plots. There was no significant difference between plots without green manure and plots with green manure for either the microbial biomass or the metabolic quotient.
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  • 84
    ISSN: 1432-0789
    Keywords: Mineralisation ; Immobilisation ; Humification ; Microbial biomass ; Oryza sativa L. ; Intensive production ; Continuous flooding ; Yield decline
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Geosciences , Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
    Notes: Abstract A decline in rice yields has been associated with intensification of rice production. In continuously irrigated systems this has been attributed to a decline in soil N supply. Nutrient mineralisation and immobilisation is constrained by the quantity and nature of the organic substrates and the physico-chemical environment of the soil system itself. A flooded soil is very different from an aerobic one; electron acceptors other than oxygen have to be used. The transition to continuously anaerobic conditions associated with the intensification of wetland rice systems affects their organic matter turnover and may adversely affect their productivity.
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  • 85
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    Biology and fertility of soils 19 (1995), S. 327-332 
    ISSN: 1432-0789
    Keywords: Litter decomposition ; Succession ; Microbial biomass ; Microbial respioration ; Microbial nutrient status
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Geosciences , Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
    Notes: Abstract Microbial biomass, microbial respiration, metabolic quotient (qCO2), Cmic/Corg ratio and nutrient status of the microflora was investigated in different layers of an aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) and pine forest (Pinus contorta Loud.) in southwest Alberta, Canada. Changes in these parameters with soil depth were assumed to reflect successional changes in aging litter materials. The microbial nutrient status was investigated by analysing the respiratory response of glucose and nutrient (N and P) supplemented microorganisms. A strong decline in qCO2 with soil depth indicated a more efficient C use by microorganisms in later stages of decay in both forests. Cmic/Corg ratio also declined in the aspen forest with soil depth but in the pine forest it was at a maximum in the mineral soil layer. Microbial nutrient status in aspen leaf litter and pine needle litter indicated N limitation or high N demand, but changes in microbial nutrient status with soil depth differed strongly between both forests. In the aspen forest N deficiency appeared to decline in later stages of decay whereas P deficiency increased. In contrast, in the pine forest microbial growth was restricted mainly by N availability in each of the layers. Analysis of the respiratory response of CNP-supplemented microorganisms indicated that growth ability of microorganisms is related to the fungal-bacterial ratio.
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  • 86
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    Biology and fertility of soils 19 (1995), S. 343-347 
    ISSN: 1432-0789
    Keywords: Ecosystem research ; Agricultural soils ; Forest soils ; Microbial biomass ; Microbial activities
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Geosciences , Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
    Notes: Abstract The soil microbial biomass and activity were estimated for seven field (intensive and extensive management), grassland (dry and wet), and forest (beech, dry and wet alder) sites. Three of the sites (wet grassland, dry and wet alder) are located on a lakeshore and are influenced by lake water and groundwater. Four different methods were selected to measure and characterize the microbial biomass. Values of microbial biomass (weight basis) and total microbial biomass per upper horizon and hectare (volume basis) were compared for each site. Fumigation-extraction and substrate-induced respiration results were correlated but dit not give the same absolute values for microbial biomass content. When using the original conversion factors, substrate-induced respiration gave higher values in field and dry grassland soils, and fumigation-extraction higher values in soils with low pH and high water levels (high organic content). Results from dimethylsulfoxide reduction and arginine ammonification, two methods for estimating microbial activity, were not correlated with microbial biomass values determined by fumigation-extraction or substrate-induced respiration in all soils examined. In alder forest soils dimethylsulfoxide reduction and arginine ammonification gave higher values on the wet site than on the dry site, contrary to the values estimated by fumigation-extraction and substrate-induced respiration. These microbial activities were correlated with microbial biomass values only in field and dry grassland soils. Based on soil dry weight, microbial biomass values increased in the order intensive field, beech forest, extensive field, dry grassland, alder forest, wet grassland. However, microbial biomass values per upper horizon and hectare (related to soil volume) increased in agricultural soils in the order intensive field, dry grassland, extensive field, wet grassland and in forest soils in the order beech, wet alder, dry alder. We conclude that use of the original conversion factors with the soils in the present study for fumigation-extraction and substrate-induced respiration measurements does not give the same values for the microbial biomass. Furthermore, dimethylsulfoxide reduction and arginine ammonification principally characterize specific microbial activities and can be correlated with microbial biomass values under specific soil conditions. Further improvements in microbial biomass estimates, particularly in waterlogged soils, may be obtained by direct counts of organisms, ATP estimate, and the use of 14C-labelled organic substrates. From the ecological viewpoint, data should also be expressed per horizon and hectare (related to soil volume) to assist in the comparison of different sites.
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  • 87
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    Biology and fertility of soils 19 (1995), S. 357-362 
    ISSN: 1432-0789
    Keywords: Leaf litter decomposition ; Poplar ; Eucalyptus ; Microbial biomass ; Agroforestry
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Geosciences , Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
    Notes: Abstract Soil microbiological properties during decomposition of leaf litter of poplar (Populus deltoides) and eucalyptus (Eucalyptus tereticornis) were studied under laboratory conditions. Microbial biomass C and ninhydrin-N were measured at different intervals up to 90 days following incorporation of poplar and eucalyptus leaves separately @ 20 and 100t ha-1. In general, the net increase in total biomass C or ninhydrin N following amendment was larger in the soils which received poplar leaves than in the soils that received eucalyptus leaves. The amounts of biomass C, at day 90, in the soils which received eucalyptus leaves @ 20 and 100 t ha-1 was about half and one-third, respectively, that of the soils that received poplar leaves at the same rates. Similarly, the field soils naturally receiving eucalyptus leaf litter contained about half the amounts of biomass C or ninhydrin N of the soils that received poplar leaf litter. In contrast, the amounts of organic C and total N were more in soils which received eucalyptus leaves both in the laboratory experiment and under field conditions than in the soils that received poplar leaves, indicating that the decomposition of eucalyptus leaves in soils was slower than that of poplar leaves. The ratio of biomass C/soil organic C in soils receiving eucalyptus leaves was about 2–4 times lower than those in soils with no admendment or soils receiving poplar leaves. These results, therefore, suggest that the allelochemicals released into soil during decomposition of eucalyptus leaves had a toxic effect on soil microorganisms and may thus affect the nutrient cycling and hence soil fertility.
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  • 88
    ISSN: 1432-0789
    Keywords: Key words Soil carbon ; Crop rotation ; Legumes ; Cover crop ; Nitrogen fertilization ; Microbial biomass ; Soil health ; Gossypium hirsutum ; Zea mays ; Trifolium ; incarnatum ; Glycine max
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Geosciences , Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
    Notes: Abstract The “Old Rotation” cotton experiment was designed to aid farm managers in implementing rotation schemes that not only increase yield, but also improve soil quality. Six different crop rotation treatments were imposed since 1896. Rotations were: IA, cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) grown every year without a winter legume and without N fertilization; IB, cotton grown every year with a winter legume and without N fertilization; IC, cotton grown every year without a winter legume and with 134 kg N as NH4NO3 ha–1 year–1; IIA, 2-year cotton-corn (Zea mays L.) rotation with a winter legume and without N fertilization; IIB, 2-year cotton-corn rotation with a winter legume and with 134 kg N ha–1 year–1 as NH4NO3; and III, 3-year cotton-corn- (alternating soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] or rye (Secale cereale L.) rotation with a winter legume and with 134g N as NH4NO3 ha–1 year–1. Crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum L.) was the winter legume cover crop. The 2-year cotton-corn rotation with a winter legume and with 134 kg N ha–1 year–1 (IIB) and the 3-year cotton-corn soybean/rye rotation with a winter legume and with 134 kg N ha–1 year–1 (III) had higher amounts of soil organic matter, soil microbial biomass C and crop yield than the other four treatments. The cotton grown every year without a winter legume or N fertilizer (IA) had a lower amount of soil organic matter, soil microbial biomass C and N and cotton seed yield than all other rotations. In 1988 and 1992 cotton seed and legume yield were correlated in positive, curvilinear relationships with soil organic matter (r 2 ranged from 0.72 to 0.87). In most months, soil microbial biomass C and N was lower in the cotton grown every year without winter legumes or fertilizer (IA) than the other five rotations. In 1994, microbial biomass C and the Cmic:Corg ratio correlated in positive, curvilinear relationships with seed cotton yield (r 2=0.87 and 0.98, respectively). After 99 years of management the “Old Rotation” cotton experiment indicates that winter legumes increase amounts of both C and N in soil, which ultimately contribute to higher cotton yields. Microbial biomass C and the Cmic:Corg ratio are poor predictors of annual crop yield but may be an accurate indicator of soil health and a good predictor of long-term crop yield.
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  • 89
    ISSN: 1432-0789
    Keywords: Key words Basal respiration ; Metabolic quotient (qCO2) ; Microbial biomass ; Substrate-induced respiration (SIR) ; Fumigation-extraction (FE) ; Clear-cutting ; Humus ; Greenhouse effect
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Geosciences , Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
    Notes: Abstract In studying the basal respiration, microbial biomass (substrate-induced respiration, SIR), and metabolic quotient (qCO2) in western red cedar (Thuja plicata Donn ex D. Don)-western hemlock [(Tsuga heterophylla (Raf.) Sarg.] ecosystems (old-growth forests, 3- and 10-year-old plantations) on northern Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada, we predicted that (1) soil basal respiration would be reduced by harvesting and burning, reflecting the reduction in microbial biomass and activities; (2) the microbial biomass would be reduced by harvesting and slash-burning, due to the excessive heat of the burning or due to reduced substrate availability; (3) microbial biomass in the plantations would tend to recover to the preharvesting levels with growth of the trees and increased substrate availability; and (4) microbial biomass measured by the SIR method would compare well with that measured by the fumigation-extraction (FE) method. Decaying litter layer (F), woody F (Fw) and humus layer (H) materials were sampled four times in the summer of 1992. The results obtained supported the four predictions. Microbial biomass was reduced in the harvested and slash-burned plots. Both SIR and FE methods provided equally good estimates of microbial biomass in the samples [SIR microbial C (mg g–1)=0.227+0.458 FE microbial C (mg g–1), r=0.63, P=0.0001] and proved suitable for microbial biomass measurements in this strongly acidic soil. Basal respiration was significantly greater in the old-growth forests than in the young plantations (P〈〉;0.05) in both F and H layers, but not in the Fw layer. For the 3- and 10-year-old plantations, there was no difference in basal respiration in F, Fw, and H layers. Basal respiration was related to changes in air temperature, precipitation, and the soil moisture contant at the time of sampling. The qCO2 values were higher in the old-growth stands than in the plantations. Clear-cutting followed by prescribed burning did not increase soil microbial respiration, but CO2 released from slash-burning and that contributed from other sources may be of concern to increasing atmospheric CO2 concentrations.
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  • 90
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    Biology and fertility of soils 23 (1996), S. 314-320 
    ISSN: 1432-0789
    Keywords: Key words Nitrogen mineralization ; Microbial biomass ; Soil drying ; Extractable organic N ; 15N isotope dilution
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Geosciences , Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
    Notes: Abstract A laboratory soil incubation and a pot experiment with ryegrass were carried out in order to examine the extractability of microbial biomass N by using either 10-mM CaCl2 extraction or the electro-ultrafiltration (EUF) method. The aim of the experiment was to test the hypothesis whether the organic N (Norg) extracted by EUF or CaCl2 from dried soil samples represents a part of the microbial biomass. For the laboratory incubation a 15N-labelled Escherichia coli suspension was mixed with the soil. For the pot experiment a suspension of 15N-labelled bacteria was applied which had previously been isolated from the soil used. Soil samples of both treatments, with and without applied bacterial suspension, were extracted by EUF and CaCl2. The extractability of applied microbial biomass was estimated from the difference in extractable Norg between the two treatments. In addition, the N isotopic composition in the upper plant matter, in the soil, and in organic and inorganic N fractions of EUF and CaCl2 extracts was analysed. Both experiments showed that the applied microbial biomass was highly accessible to mineralization and thus represented potentially mineralizable N. However, this mineralizable N was not extractable by CaCl2 or by the EUF method. It was, therefore, concluded that the organic N released on soil drying and which was thus extractable was derived from the non-biomass soil organic matter. The result suggests that both extraction methods may provide a suitable index for mineralizable N only in cases where the decomposable organic substrates are derived mainly from sources other than the living soil biota.
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  • 91
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    Biology and fertility of soils 20 (1995), S. 253-259 
    ISSN: 1432-0789
    Keywords: Heavy metals ; Microbial biomass ; Soil respiration ; Soil organic C
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Geosciences , Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
    Notes: Abstract Chemical characteristics and some parameters related to biological components were determined in 16 soils from a fairly homogeneous area in the north of Italy, contaminated with different levels of heavy metals. Correlation analysis of the parameters studied showed close positive relationships among the metals and with the organic C content in the soils studied. Negative relationships were observed among the heavy metals, soil respiration, and the ratio between evolved CO2−C and microbial biomass C per unit time (specific respiratory activity). This was ascribed to an adverse heavy metal effect on the soil microflora, which appeared to increase the accumulation of organic matter as the heavy metal content increased, probably because the biomass was less effective in mineralising soil organic matter under these conditions.
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  • 92
    ISSN: 1432-0789
    Keywords: Key words Soybean ; Isotope dilution ; Nitrogen fixation ; Bradyrhizobium japonicum ; Soil sterilization ; 15N ; Azospirillum brasilense ; Bacterial inoculation
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Geosciences , Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
    Notes: Abstract The effects of inoculation with Bradyrhizobium japonicum and Azospirillum brasilense strains on the growth of soybean were evaluated with regard to the estimation of N2 fixation using the 15N isotope dilution technique. Inoculation, in general, increased the dry mass of soybean as well as nitrogen content. Dual inoculation with a mixture of B. japonicum and A. brasilense strains was superior over single inoculation with B. japonicum. Nitrogen fixed (Ndfa) varied according to inoculant and soil conditions. Percentages of nitrogen derived from air (% Ndfa) using a non-nodulating isoline were 72% and 76% for B. japonicum and B. japonicum plus A. brasilense, respectively, in non-sterile soil. A similar but higher trend was recorded in sterilized soil, in which the percentages of N2 fixed were 81% and 86% for single and dual inoculation, respectively. The correlation coefficient between N2 fixed and N uptake (r=0.94) and dry mass (r=0.89) was significant. Application of special bacterial inoculants in agricultural systems of Egypt seems to be a promising technology and could be used for improving soybean growth as well as soil fertility, thus minimizing environmental pollution.
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  • 93
    ISSN: 1432-0789
    Keywords: Key words Acidic forest soil ; Phosphorus ; Coal combustion by-product ; Carbon cycling ; Cellulose ; Microbial biomass ; Liming
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Geosciences , Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
    Notes: Abstract Phosphate rock (PR), limestone, coal combustion by-product (CCBP) high in Ca and high organic manures are potential amendments for increasing agricultural production in the acidic soils of the Appalachian region. The objective of this study was to examine effects of PR, CCBP and cellulose addition on soil microbial biomass in an acidic soil based on the measurement of soil microbial biomass P (P mic) and on the mineralization of organic matter. Application of PR alone or in combination with CCBP increased P mic. The P mic was far less when the soil received PR in combination with limestone than with PR application alone or PR in combination with CCBP. Either CCBP or limestone application alone considerably decreased P mic in the soil due to reduced P solubility. Cellulose addition alone did not increase P mic, but P mic was significantly increased when the soil was amended with cellulose in combination with PR. The decomposition of added cellulose was very slow in the soil without PR amendment. However, mineralization of both native organic matter and added cellulose was enhanced by PR application. Mineralization of organic matter was less when the soil was amended with PR in combination with high rates of CCBP (〉 2.5%) because PR dissolution varied inversely with amount of CCBP addition. Overall, CCBP had no detrimental effect on soil microbial biomass at low application rates, although, like limestone, CCBP at a high rate may decrease P mic in P-deficient soils through its influence on increased soil pH and decreased P bioavailability in the soil. Application of PR to an acidic soil considerably enhanced the microbial activity, thereby promoting the cycling of carbon and other nutrients.
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  • 94
    ISSN: 1432-0789
    Keywords: Key words Soil tillage ; Rhizosphere microorganisms ; Cereals ; Nitrogen fixation ; Gaeumanomyces graminis
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Geosciences , Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
    Notes: Abstract  In long-term field experiments on sandy loam and loamy sand soils, the influence of conservation and conventional tillage on soil and rhizosphere microorganisms was studied. Conservation tillage stimulated rhizosphere bacteria on winter wheat, winter barley, winter rye and maize in different soil layers. Particularly the populations of Agrobacterium spp. and Pseudomonas spp. were increased. On the sandy loam, N2 fixation and nodulation of pea plants were significantly increased. No influence of different soil tillage was determined on the colonization of the rhizosphere by mycorrhiza and saprophytic fungi. Stubble residues infected with Gaeumanomyces graminis were infectious for a longer time on the soil surface than after incorporation into the soil.
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  • 95
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    Biology and fertility of soils 29 (1999), S. 111-129 
    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.
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  • 96
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    Biology and fertility of soils 29 (1999), S. 141-145 
    ISSN: 1432-0789
    Keywords: Key words Blue-green algae ; Nitrogen fixation ; Rice ecosystem ; Zooplankton ; Benthos
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Geosciences , Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
    Notes: Abstract  As part of an integrated pest management project to study the role blue-green algae (BGA) may play in the food web of rice-field ecosystems, 14C-labelled filamentous and monocellular BGA were used as food for fish, zooplankton and benthic fauna in artificial rice fields in the form of three aquaria. 14C present in the organisms was then traced by liquid scintillation to follow the manner in which the labelled BGA were consumed by different organisms. In this study the grazing rate of fish (mud carp) was compared to that of benthic organisms and zooplankton. It was found that fish consumed the BGA at the fastest rates and in the largest amounts, followed by the benthic species and zooplankton. It was also found that filamentous BGA were consumed in higher amounts than monocellular BGA. The importance of grazing in nutrient recycling is emphasized.
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  • 97
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    Biology and fertility of soils 27 (1998), S. 27-34 
    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.
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  • 98
    ISSN: 1432-0789
    Keywords: Key words Red alder ; White clover ; Nitrogenase activity ; Acetylene reduction assay ; Nitrogen fixation
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Geosciences , Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
    Notes: Abstract  Simultaneous measurements were made to assess the diurnal and seasonal patterns of nitrogenase activity of red alder (Alnus rubra Bong.) and white clover (Trifolium repens L.) growing together in a silvopastoral agroforestry system using the acetylene reduction assay. Diurnal measurements were made in the summer and autumn at 3-h intervals whereas seasonal nitrogenase activity was assessed based on observations made at midday in July, September and January to represent the summer, autumn and winter seasons, respectively. No obvious diurnal patterns of nitrogenase activity were found in either red alder or white clover in summer and no significant variations in nitrogenase activity were observed between day and night. However, in autumn, pronounced diurnal patterns were observed in both species. Significantly higher rates of nitrogenase activity per unit dry weigh (dwt) of nodules were detected at 1500 hours in red alder, whereas, in white clover, significantly higher rates were obtained at 2100 hours. There was no significant correlation between diurnal nitrogenase activity and air temperature, photosynthetically active radiation and soil temperature at 10 cm depth in either red alder or white clover. Seasonal rates of nitrogenase activity showed significantly higher activity in summer, which subsequently decreased in autumn, to reach very low levels in the winter. The rates of nitrogenase activity of white clover were consistently higher than those of red alder both diurnally and seasonally. In the three seasons sampled, the average nitrogenase activity for white clover was 66.42 μmol C2H4 g dwt–1 h–1, which was 3.5 times higher than the 18.67 μmol C2H4 g dwt–1 h–1 obtained for red alder.
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  • 99
    ISSN: 1432-0789
    Keywords: Key words Arbuscular mycorrhiza ; Collembola ; Nitrogen fertilization ; Nitrogen fixation ; Soil aggregation
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Geosciences , Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
    Notes: Abstract  The effect of the form of N nutrition on soil stability is an important consideration for the management of sustainable agricultural systems. We grew soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] plants in pot cultures in unsterilized soil, and treated them by (1) inoculating them with Bradyrhizobium japonicum, fertilizing with (2) nitrate or (3) ammonia, or (4) by providing only minimum N amendment for the controls. The soils were sampled at 3-week intervals to determine changes in water-stable soil aggregates (WSA), soil pH, the development of roots, arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) soil and root colonization, and selected functional groups of soil bacteria. The soil fauna was assayed at the end of the experiment (9 weeks). WSA was correlated positively with root and AM soil mycelium development, but negatively with total bacterial counts. Soil arthropod (Collembola) numbers were negatively correlated with AM hyphal length. Soils of nodulated and ammonia-fertilized plants had the highest levels of WSA and the lowest pH at week 9. Sparse root development in the soils of the N-deficient, control plants indicated that WSA formation was primarily influenced by AM hyphae. The ratio of bacterial counts in the water-stable versus water-unstable soil fractions increased for the first 6 weeks and then declined, while counts of anaerobic bacteria increased with increasing WSA. The numbers of soil invertebrates (nematodes) and protozoans did not correlate with bacterial counts or AM soil-hyphal lengths. Soil pH did not affect mycorrhiza development, but actinomycete counts declined with decreasing soil pH. AM fungi and roots interacted as the factors that affect soil aggregation, regardless of N nutrition.
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  • 100
    ISSN: 1432-0789
    Keywords: Key words Nitrogen-15 isotope dilution ; Legumes ; Lens culinaris ; Rhizobium ; Nitrogen fixation
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Geosciences , Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
    Notes: Abstract  A 15N isotope dilution technique was applied to quantify the extent of N2 fixation in lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) cultivars as influenced by Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. viciae strains in a field experiment in Pakistan. The experiment was conducted on a soil with a very small indigenous rhizobial population and where N was a limiting factor for crop production. Significant variations in number of nodules, dry weight of nodules, biomass yield, grain yield, total N yield, proportion of plant N derived from N2 fixation (Pfix) and amount of N derived from the atmosphere (Ndfa) were observed among combined treatments of four rhizobial strains and six lentil varieties. In a field previously labelled with 15N, to which a basal dose of 75 kg P2O5 ha–1 was applied as single super phosphate, Ndfa ranged from 15 to 24 kg N ha–1 when calculated according to rhizobial strain and from 4 to 38 kg N ha–1 when calculated according to lentil variety. Lc 26 was the most effective strain and fixed 243% more N than the indigenous population in the uninoculated control. In treatments with the lentil variety PL-406, Ndfa was 38 kg N ha–1, which was 850% higher than with the lentil variety Precoz/F6-20-1×M-85. Generally, the varieties with greater Pfix produced a higher dry matter yield.
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