Microbial activity and survival in soils dried at different rates

Soil Research ◽  
1992 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 209 ◽  
Author(s):  
AW West ◽  
GP Sparling ◽  
CW Feltham ◽  
J Reynolds
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Biomass ◽  
Water Content ◽  
Microbial Activity ◽  
Initial Period ◽  
Organic Matter Content ◽  
Matter Content ◽  
Survival Strategies ◽  
Microbial Biomass C ◽  
Organic C ◽  
Microbial C

The changes in microbial biomass C, soil respiration, microbial activity (respiration/microbial C) and the content of oxidizable organic C extracted by 0-5 M K2SO4, were measured in four soils of contrasting characteristics (a sand, two silt loam soils and a peat) which were air-dried at 22�C at three different rates in the laboratory. Respiration was also measured on samples of the drying soils rewetted with water. The rates of drying were: <10 h (fast), <33 h (medium) and <62 h (slow); drying was carried out for 6 h on consecutive days, with overnight storage. Measurements were also made on soils stored at field-moisture content over the 15 day duration of the experiment. Respiration and activity declined continuously and in a generally linear manner as the volumetric water content (W,) decreased. The decline in respiration in relation to water content W, was similar for all four soils and for the three rates of drying. Microbial biomass C also declined but generally only after a considerable initial period of drying (after the soils had reached Wv of 0-1-0.3). Extractable C values increased, but only after an initial drying period (Wv below 0.06-0.12). The increases in extractable C were approximately coincident with the decreases in microbial C, but only part of the increase in extractable C could be accounted for by the decrease in microbial C. Rewetting of dried soils caused a marked increase in respiration, particularly when the rewetted soils had reached Wv values where extractable C had begun to increase. The relationship between microbial activity and extractable C was similar for all four soils and was not affected by the rate of drying. The similarity of the microbial responses in these contrasting soils, and the absence of any detectable differences between rates of drying suggest that the microbial communities had similar survival strategies to resist desiccation, and occupied comparable physical niches in the soils, despite these soils having widely differing textures, organic matter content, and soil moisture characteristics.

scholarly journals Parent material and organic matter control soil microbial processes in African tropical rainforests 

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laurent Kidinda Kidinda ◽  
Folasade Kemi Ologoke ◽  
Cordula Vogel ◽  
Karsten Kalbitz ◽  
Sebastian Doetterl
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Biomass ◽  
Tropical Rainforest ◽  
Parent Material ◽  
Microbial Processes ◽  
Tropical Rainforests ◽  
Microbial Biomass C ◽  
Organic C ◽  
Soil Microbial ◽  
Microbial C ◽  
C Limitation

&lt;p&gt;Microbial processes are one of the key factors driving carbon (C) and nutrient cycling in terrestrial ecosystems, and are strongly controlled by the equilibrium between resource availability and demand. In deeply weathered tropical rainforest soils of Africa, it remains unclear whether patterns of microbial processes differ between soils developed from geochemically contrasting parent material. Here, we investigate patterns of soil microbial processes and their controls in tropical rainforests of Africa. We used soil developed from three geochemically distinct parent material (mafic, felsic, mixed sedimentary rocks) and three soil depths (0&amp;#8722;70 cm). We measured microbial biomass C and enzyme activity at the beginning and end of a 120-day incubation experiment. We also conducted a vector analysis based on ecoenzymatic stoichiometry to assess microbial C and nutrient limitations. We found that microbial C limitation was highest in the mixed sedimentary region and lowest in the felsic region, which we propose was related to the strength of contrasting C stabilization mechanisms and varying C quality. None of the investigated regions and soil depths showed signs of nitrogen (N) limitation for microbial processes. Microbial phosphorus (P) limitation increased with soil depth, indicating that subsoils in the investigated soils were depleted in rock-derived nutrients and are therefore dependent on efficient nutrient recycling. Microbial C limitation was lowest in subsoils, indicating that subsoil microbes cannot significantly participate in C cycling and limit C storage if oxygen is not available, but can do so in our laboratory incubation experiment under well aerated conditions. Using multivariable regressions, we demonstrate that microbial biomass C normalized to soil organic C content (MBC&lt;sub&gt;SOC&lt;/sub&gt;) is controlled by soil geochemistry and substrate quality, while microbial biomass C normalized to soil weight (MBC&lt;sub&gt;Soil&lt;/sub&gt;) is predominantly driven by resource distribution (i.e., depth distribution of organic C). We conclude that due to differences in resource availability, microbial processes in deeply weathered tropical rainforest soils greatly vary across geochemical regions.&lt;/p&gt;

ALLOCATION AND MICROBIAL UTILIZATION OF C IN TWO SOILS CROPPED TO BARLEY

1988 ◽  
Vol 68 (3) ◽  
pp. 495-505 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. D. DINWOODIE ◽  
N. G. JUMA
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Biomass ◽  
Black Soil ◽  
Water Soluble ◽  
Microbial Biomass C ◽  
Organic C ◽  
Soil C ◽  
Microbial Utilization ◽  
Below Ground ◽  
Microbial C ◽  
Soluble C

This study was undertaken to compare some aspects of carbon cycling in a Gray Luvisol at Breton and a Black soil at Ellerslie, Alberta cropped to barley. Comparisons of the above and below-ground allocation of carbon, distribution of carbon in soil, and microbial use of carbon were made between sites. Shoot C, root C, microbial biomass C, soil organic C, water soluble organic C, and polysaccharide C were measured on four dates between 31 July and 20 Oct. 1986. The total quantity of carbon in the soil-plant system at Ellerslie (17.2 kg C m−2) was greater than at Breton (6.6 kg C m−2). On average shoot C at Ellerslie (247 g C m−2) was greater than at Breton (147 g m−2). The quantity of root C (avg. 21 g C m−2) was the same at both sites resulting in higher shoot C:root C ratios at Ellerslie than Breton. Microbial biomass (expressed as g C m−2 or g C g−1 root C) was one to two times lower at Breton than at Ellerslie but respiration (g CO2-C g−1 microbial biomass C) during a 10-d laboratory incubation was two to four times greater. Microbial biomass C, soluble C and polysaccharide C expressed as mg C g−1 of soil were less at Breton than Ellerslie. However when these data were compared on a relative basis in terms of soil C (g C g−1 soil C), microbial biomass C and soluble C were higher at Breton than Ellerslie. Polysaccharide C was the same at both sites. Although the microbial biomass was smaller at Breton than at Ellerslie, more carbon was lost from the system by microbial respiration and a greater proportion of the carbon in the soil was in microbial and soluble C pools. Soil characteristics, and cropping history affected the amount of carbon stabilized in soil. Key words: Chernozemic, Luvisolic, microbial C, soluble C, polysaccharide C, soil organic matter, barley

scholarly journals Carbon Organic Content under Organic and Conventional Paddy Field and its Effect on Biological Activities (A Case Study in Pati Regency, Indonesia)

2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 108
Author(s):  
Supriyadi Supriyadi ◽  
Melja Karni Pratiwi ◽  
Slamet Minardi ◽  
Nanda Lintang Prastiyaningsih
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Microbial Biomass ◽  
Soil Respiration ◽  
Paddy Field ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Organic Matter Content ◽  
Paddy Fields ◽  
Microbial Biomass C ◽  
Total N ◽  
Organic C

The low organic matter content of paddy soils impacts the declining quality of land. Without the efforts to enrich the soil organic matter (SOM) content, the productivity of paddy fields will decrease or the need for inorganic fertilizers will increase to reach the level of yield. The present research aims to determine the effect of differences in organic and conventional paddy fields management practices on soil organic carbon (SOC) content and biological activities. The research was conducted from July to September 2018 on organic and conventional paddy fields in Dukuhseti Sub-district, Pati Regency, Central Java, Indonesia. Sampling points were taken from six organic samples in the organic paddy fields while the other six samples were taken from conventional paddy fields. The variables observed in this research were organic C, pH, total N soil, total bacterial colonies, soil respiration and microbial biomass C. The results show that the organic C content in the organic paddy field (2.4%) was higher than that of the conventional paddy field (1.8%). The C content of organic paddy fields increased by 0.6%. The differences of the total bacterial colonies, soil respiration and microbial biomass C between organic paddy fields and conventional paddy fields were 11.5 CFU g<sup>-1</sup>, 7.42 mg CO<sub>2</sub> week<sup>-1</sup> and 0.51 µg g<sup>-1</sup>, respectively, because the use of organic farming systems could improve the biological nature of soils and caused biological activity in organic paddy fields to have the highest value compared to conventional paddy fields.

Effect of contrasting farm management on vegetation and biochemical, chemical, and biological condition of moist steepland soils of the South Island high country, New Zealand

Soil Research ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 37 (5) ◽  
pp. 847 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. D. McIntosh ◽  
R. S. Gibson ◽  
S. Saggar ◽  
G. W. Yeates ◽  
P. McGimpsey
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Microbial Biomass ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Organic Matter Content ◽  
Nematode Species ◽  
Farming System ◽  
Biological Properties ◽  
Matter Content ◽  
Microbial Biomass C ◽  
Exchangeable Cation

A question of economic, social, and land-use importance in the predominantly steep South Island high country tussock grasslands of New Zealand is whether these lands can be sustainably farmed by oversowing introduced grasses and legumes and using fertilisers. To help answer this question, we compared vegetation and soil chemical, biochemical, and biological properties on Brown soils (Dystrudepts) on adjacent land areas which have been differently managed since 1978. One area had never been fertilised or oversown. The other had been oversown with grasses and clovers and received about 1100 kg/ha of sulfur-superphosphate between 1979 and 1997. Oversowing and fertilising reduced the amount of bare ground and transformed the vegetation to a species composition dominated by the introduced adventives Anthoxanthum odoratum and Agrostis capillaris. Fertilising raised soil carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) content, increased A-horizon thickness, and raised exchangeable cation values. All of the phosphorus (P) applied to the fertilised area was accounted for in the top 15 cm of soil, but has accumulated in the relatively unavailable organic form. Oversowing and fertilising significantly (P < 0 . 05) increased microbial biomass C, N, and P relative to values in unfertilised soils. The microbial biomass C: N and C: P ratios were significantly (P < 0 . 05) lower in fertilised soils. Fertilised soils had significantly more (P < 0 . 05) mineralised N than unfertilised soils. Populations of 5 groups of soil fauna (Scarabaeidae, nematodes, enchytraeids, rotifers, tardigrades) were higher in fertilised soils. Nematode species parasitic or pathogenic for clovers were present in greater numbers on fertilised soils. A combination of fertility decline (in particular, P immobilisation as organic P) and nematode damage may be the reason for the low clover cover on fertilised sites, and may explain the widely observed clover ‘flush’ and decline common to oversown high country. We conclude that there is no simple measure of ‘soil quality’ that can be used as a sustainability indicator in moist New Zealand high country. Nor can sustainability be judged purely on biological, biochemical, and chemical critieria. Although many of the effects associated with oversowing and fertilising, such as increased organic matter content of A horizons and increased biological activity, are positive, these effects must be balanced against the economic risk associated with being committed to a high-input farming system, the loss of low-producing but resilient native species, and increase of plant-pathogenic nematodes.

scholarly journals Response of respiration and nutrient availability to drying and rewetting in soil from a semi-arid woodland depends on vegetation patch and a recent wildfire

2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (16) ◽  
pp. 5093-5101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Q. Sun ◽  
W. S. Meyer ◽  
G. R. Koerber ◽  
P. Marschner
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Microbial Biomass ◽  
Organic Matter Content ◽  
Matter Content ◽  
Microbial Biomass C ◽  
Available N ◽  
Drying And Rewetting ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Vegetation Patches ◽  
Semi Arid

Abstract. Semi-arid woodlands, which are characterised by patchy vegetation interspersed with bare, open areas, are frequently exposed to wildfire. During summer, long dry periods are occasionally interrupted by rainfall events. It is well known that rewetting of dry soil induces a flush of respiration. However, the magnitude of the flush may differ between vegetation patches and open areas because of different organic matter content, which could be further modulated by wildfire. Soils were collected from under trees, under shrubs or in open areas in unburnt and burnt sandy mallee woodland, where part of the woodland experienced a wildfire which destroyed or damaged most of the aboveground plant parts 4 months before sampling. In an incubation experiment, the soils were exposed to two moisture treatments: constantly moist (CM) and drying and rewetting (DRW). In CM, soils were incubated at 80 % of maximum water holding capacity (WHC) for 19 days; in DRW, soils were dried for 4 days, kept dry for another 5 days, then rewetted to 80 % WHC and maintained at this water content until day 19. Soil respiration decreased during drying and was very low in the dry period; rewetting induced a respiration flush. Compared to soil under shrubs and in open areas, cumulative respiration per gram of soil in CM and DRW was greater under trees, but lower when expressed per gram of total organic carbon (TOC). Organic matter content, available P, and microbial biomass C, but not available N, were greater under trees than in open areas. Wild fire decreased the flush of respiration per gram of TOC in the open areas and under shrubs, and reduced TOC and microbial biomass C (MBC) concentrations only under trees, but had little effect on available N and P concentrations. We conclude that the impact of wildfire and DRW events on nutrient cycling differs among vegetation patches of a native semi-arid woodland which is related to organic matter amount and availability.

scholarly journals Patterns of microbial processes shaped by parent material and soil depth in tropical rainforest soils

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laurent K. Kidinda ◽  
Folasade K. Olagoke ◽  
Cordula Vogel ◽  
Karsten Kalbitz ◽  
Sebastian Doetterl
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Biomass ◽  
Resource Availability ◽  
Tropical Rainforest ◽  
Soil Depth ◽  
Microbial Processes ◽  
Microbial Biomass C ◽  
Organic C ◽  
Soil Microbial ◽  
Microbial C ◽  
C Limitation

Abstract. Microbial processes are one of the key factors driving carbon (C) and nutrient cycling in terrestrial ecosystems, and are strongly driven by the equilibrium between resource availability and demand. In deeply weathered tropical rainforest soils of Africa, it remains unclear whether patterns of microbial processes differ between soils developed from geochemically contrasting parent materials. Here we show that resource availability across soil depths and regions from mafic to felsic geochemistry shape patterns of soil microbial processes. During a 120-day incubation experiment, we found that microbial biomass C and extracellular enzyme activity were highest in the mafic region. Microbial C limitation was highest in the mixed sedimentary region and lowest in the felsic region, which we propose is related to the strength of contrasting C stabilization mechanisms and varying C quality. None of the investigated regions and soil depths showed signs of nitrogen (N) limitation for microbial processes. Microbial phosphorus (P) limitation increased with soil depth but was similar across geochemical regions, indicating that subsoils in the investigated soils were depleted in rock-derived nutrients and are therefore dependent on efficient biological recycling of nutrients. Microbial C limitation was lowest in subsoils, indicating that subsoil microbes can significantly participate in C cycling and limit C storage if increased oxygen availability is prevalent. Using multivariable regressions, we demonstrate that microbial biomass C normalized to soil organic C content (MBCSOC) is controlled by soil geochemistry and substrate quality, while microbial biomass C normalized to soil weight (MBCSoil) is predominantly driven by resource distribution. We conclude that due to differences in resource availability, microbial processes in deeply weathered tropical rainforest soils greatly vary across geochemical regions which must be considered when assessing soil microbial processes in organic matter turnover models.

scholarly journals Perennial herbaceous legumes as live soil mulches and their effects on C, N and P of the microbial biomass

2003 ◽  
Vol 60 (1) ◽  
pp. 139-147 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gustavo Pereira Duda ◽  
José Guilherme Marinho Guerra ◽  
Marcela Teixeira Monteiro ◽  
Helvécio De-Polli ◽  
Marcelo Grandi Teixeira
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Biomass ◽  
Soil Depth ◽  
Vegetation Management ◽  
Pueraria Phaseoloides ◽  
Organic C ◽  
Arachis Pintoi ◽  
Factorial Combination ◽  
C And N ◽  
Microbial C ◽  
Macroptilium Atropurpureum

The use of living mulch with legumes is increasing but the impact of this management technique on the soil microbial pool is not well known. In this work, the effect of different live mulches was evaluated in relation to the C, N and P pools of the microbial biomass, in a Typic Alfisol of Seropédica, RJ, Brazil. The field experiment was divided in two parts: the first, consisted of treatments set in a 2 x 2 x 4 factorial combination of the following factors: live mulch species (Arachis pintoi and Macroptilium atropurpureum), vegetation management after cutting (leaving residue as a mulch or residue remotion from the plots) and four soil depths. The second part had treatments set in a 4 x 2 x 2 factorial combination of the following factors: absence of live mulch, A. pintoi, Pueraria phaseoloides, and M. atropurpureum, P levels (0 and 88 kg ha-1) and vegetation management after cutting. Variation of microbial C was not observed in relation to soil depth. However, the amount of microbial P and N, water soluble C, available C, and mineralizable C decreased with soil depth. Among the tested legumes, Arachis pintoi promoted an increase of microbial C and available C content of the soil, when compared to the other legume species (Pueraria phaseoloides and Macroptilium atropurpureum). Keeping the shoot as a mulch promoted an increase on soil content of microbial C and N, total organic C and N, and organic C fractions, indicating the importance of this practice to improve soil fertility.

Near-infrared spectroscopy as a potential method for routine sediment analysis to improve rapidity and efficiency

1998 ◽  
Vol 37 (6-7) ◽  
pp. 181-188 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diane F. Malley
Keyword(s):  
Near Infrared ◽  
Organic Matter Content ◽  
Aggregate Size ◽  
Clay Content ◽  
Analytical Techniques ◽  
Matter Content ◽  
Near Infrared Reflectance ◽  
Organic C ◽  
Analytical Technique ◽  
Sediment Analysis

The potential for improvement in the rapidity, cost-effectiveness, and efficiency of sediment analysis by the application of near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) is recognized. The rapid (&lt;2 min), non-chemical, non-destructive analytical technique of near-infrared (700–2500 nm) spectroscopy combines applied spectroscopy and complex statistics. It has been used for the experimental analysis of various constituents and functions of soils since the 1960s, and applications for the analysis of sediments are currently being explored. For application of NIRS, sediment samples require little preparation, other than drying, and the samples are not subject to the manipulations of conventional analytical techniques. The spectral information recorded in a 2 min scan can be used to predict numerous constituents and parameters on the samples once appropriate calibration equations have been prepared from sets of samples analyzed by both NIRS and conventional analytical techniques. Constituents and properties of soil and/or sediment analyzed by NIRS technology include moisture, organic matter content, organic C, CO3=, N, P, S, K, Ca, Mg, clay content, humic acids, lignin, cellulose, metal oxides, heavy metals, aggregate size, and inferred past pH of lakes. Several areas are identified where further research is needed to prepare for the application of NIRS to the routine analysis of sediments.

scholarly journals Nitrogen mineralization and microbial activity as influenced by sulfur sources in an alkaline calcareous soil

1970 ◽  
pp. 14-18
Author(s):  
Tufail Shah ◽  
Zahir Shah ◽  
Syed Atizaz Ali Shah ◽  
Nazir Ahmad
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Sulfuric Acid ◽  
Microbial Activity ◽  
Calcareous Soil ◽  
Bacterial Population ◽  
Elemental Sulfur ◽  
Microbial Population ◽  
Organic Matter Content ◽  
Matter Content ◽  
Fungal Population

A study was performed to check the effects of various sources of sulfur on microbial activity, microbial population, N mineralization and organic matter content in an alkaline calcareous soil by using soil samples collected from Malakandher Farm at 0-20 cm depth, and analyzed for microbial activity, total mineral nitrogen, bacterial and fungal population and organic matter content. The results showed that the rate of CO2 evolution and cumulative CO2 production were higher in soils amended with elemental sulfur followed by sulfuric acid and gypsum treated soils. The microbial activity decreased with incubation period in all treatments, and the microbial population was greatly affected by sulfur sources. Generally, the bacterial population decreased in soils amended with elemental sulfur, but the population was higher in soils amended with gypsum. Bacterial population was suppressed in soils treated with sulfuric acid. However, the fungal population was higher in soils amended with sulfuric acids was less in soil amended with elemental sulfur. The sulfur amendments promoted immobilization of N. The net N immobilized was higher in soil amended with gypsum followed by soils amended with sulfuric acid and elemental sulfur. The percent organic matter was higher in soils amended with gypsum and was decreased compared with that amended with elemental sulfur or sulfuric acid. These results suggested that soil microbiological properties changed with sulfur amendments during laboratory incubation.

CADMIUM IN DIFFERENT PLANT SPECIES AND ITS AVAILABILITY IN SOILS AS INFLUENCED BY ORGANIC MATTER AND ADDITIONS OF LIME, P, Cd AND Zn

1976 ◽  
Vol 56 (3) ◽  
pp. 129-138 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. J. MACLEAN
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Sandy Loam ◽  
Acid Soil ◽  
Organic Matter Content ◽  
Acid Soils ◽  
Matter Content ◽  
Cd Uptake ◽  
Organic C ◽  
Plant Parts

The Cd concentration in 10 plant species grown in a neutral surface soil (0.65 ppm Cd) varied from 0.18 ppm in potato tubers to 0.99 ppm in soybean roots on a dry matter basis. Addition of 5 ppm Cd increased the concentrations in the plants markedly and they were particularly high in lettuce (10.36 ppm) and tobacco leaves (11.57 ppm). Cd concentrations tended to be lower in the edible portion (seed, fruit, tubers) than in other plant parts. Added Cd affected yields in only a few instances. But in another experiment, Cd added at a rate of 5 ppm to five soils decreased the yield of lettuce in most instances. In a comparison of results for two similarly managed sandy loam soils, nearly neutral in reaction but differing in organic matter content (2.17 vs. 15.95% organic C), the concentration of Cd was lower in lettuce grown in the soil with the higher amount of organic matter. The Cd content of the lettuce was reduced by liming some of the acid soils. Addition of Cd increased the concentration of Zn in the plants appreciably, but added Zn did not affect Cd uptake. In an incubation experiment comprising five soils, DTPA (diethylenetriamine-pentaacetic acid) extractable Cd decreased with liming of three Cd-treated acid soil samples. In comparisons of two sandy loam soils and of surface and subsoil layers of a sand, extractable Cd increased with higher amounts of soil organic matter.

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