Combined Effect of Nutrient and Pest Managements on Substrate Utilization Pattern of Soil Microbial Population in Hybrid Rice Cropping System

A field experiment was conducted to study the combined effect of nutrient andpest managements on soil biomass phospholipid contents, functional biodiversity and substrateutilization patterns of soil microbial populations in hybrid rice cropping system. The mineral N, Pand K fertilizers (as urea, calcium superphosphate and KCl respectively) were incorporated at 100,25, and 100 kg ha^(-1), respectively, and the various pesticides were applied at the recommendedrates. The results of the experiment demonstrated a decline in the microbial abundance and soilmicrobial biomass phospholipid contents with the advancement of crop growth, and significant changesin substrate utilization pattern of soil microbial population studied were observed with differentmanagement practices and at different growth stages. The principal component analysis (PCA) usingall 95-carbon sources (BIOLOG plates) gave good differentiation among the treatments, indicatingthat they have different patterns of carbon utilization under different habitats. The data showedthat diversity in microbial community continuously changed with the progression in crop stage,particularly at physiological maturity (PM) stage that was evident from the utilization of differentcarbon sources at various crop stages.

Characteristics of the soil microbial population in forest land irrigated with saline water in the desert area

The study of soil microbial populations and diversity is an important way to understanding the soil energy process.In this study we analyzed the characteristics of soil microbial populations of the Tarim Desert Highway shelter-forest,by identifying microbial fatty acids and using methods of conventional cul-tivation.The results illustrated that the amount of soil microbial activity and the diversity of soil microbial fatty acid increased significantly with the plantation age of the shelter-forest;the soil microbial population was dominated by bacteria.The fatty acids of C14︰0,C15︰0,C16︰0,C17︰0,C18︰1ω9,C18︰0,C18︰2ω6 and C21︰0 were found to be dominant soil microbial fatty acids in the shelter-forest soil.Prin-cipal analysis and regression analysis showed that(1) concentrations of fatty acids of C14︰0,C16︰0 and C18︰0 could be used as indicators of total soil microbial population;(2) soil bacteria and actinomycetes populations were closely correlated with the amount of fatty acids of C15︰0 and C17︰0;and(3) soil fungi were closely correlated with the amount of fatty acids of C18︰1ω9 and C18︰2ω6.

Dynamic Study of Microbial Population and Enzyme Activity in Rhizosphere Soil of Allium sativum L.

[Objective] The aim was to investigate the changes in microbial population and soil enzyme activities in rhizosphere soil of two cultivars of Allium sativum L.at different growth stages.[Method]By using white garlic and purple garlic as the experimental materials,the microbial population,and the activities of urease,acid phosphatase and catalase in their rhizosphere soil at different growth stages were measured.[Result]The root exudates of the two garlic cultivars could promote the growth of bacteria,fungi and actinomycetes,and indirectly increase the urease,acid phosphatase and catalase activities in the rhizosphere soil,thereby improving the turnover and circulation of the soil nutrition elements such as nitrogen and phosphorus,and providing a better micro-ecological environment for the later crop.[Conclusion]The study had provided theoretical basis for the ecological research on garlic used as a preceding crop.

Comparison of Soil Biota Between Organic and Conventional Agroecosystems in Oregon, USA

Soil samples at 0-10 cm in depth were collected periodically at paired fields in Corvallis, Oregon, USA to compare differences in soil microbial and faunal populations between organic and conventional agroecosystems. Results showed that the organic soil ecosystem had a significantly higher (P < 0.05) average number or biomass of soil bacteria; densities of flagellates, amoebae of protozoa; some nematodes, such as microbivorous and predaceous nematodes and plant-parasitic nematodes; as well as Collembola. Greater numbers of Rhabditida (such as Rhabditis spp.), were present in the organic soil ecosystem while Panagrolaimus spp. were predominant in the conventional soil ecosystem. The omnivores and predators of Acarina in the Mesostigmata (such as Digamasellidae and Laelapid), and Prostigmata (such as Alicorhaiidae and Rhagidiidae), were also more abundant in the organic soil ecosystem. However, fungivorous Prostigmata (such as Terpnacaridae and Nanorchestidae) and Astigmata (such as Acarida) were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the conventional soil ecosystem, which supported the finding that total fungal biomass was greater in the conventional soil ecosystem. Seansonal variations of the population depended mostly on soil moisture condition and food web relationship. The population declined from May to October for both agroecosystems. However, higher diversities and densities of soil biota survived occurred in the organic soil ecosystem in the dry season.