Fate of ^(15)N Labeled Nitrate and Ammonium Salts Added to an Alpine Meadow in the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, China

To understand the dynamics of added nitrogen (N) in alpine meadow and the role of alpine plants and soil microorganisms in the retention of deposited N, the fate of 15 N labeled nitrate and ammonium salts was determined in an alpine meadow for two months. Two weeks after 15 N application, total recovery of 15 N from NO - 3_ 15 N was 73.5% while it was 78% from NH + 4_ 15 N. More 15 N was recovered in plants than in soil organic matter or in microbial biomass, irrespective of forms of N added. After one month, 70.6% of added NO - 3_ 15 N and 57.4% of NH + 4_ 15 N were recovered in soils and plants. 15 N recovered in soil organic matter decreased greatly while that recovered in plants varied little, irrespective of the form N. Compared with the results of two weeks after 15 N application, more NO - 3_ 15 N than NH + 4_ 15 N was recovered in microbial biomass. Total recovery was 58.4% (six weeks) and 67% (eight weeks) from NO - 3_ 15 N, and 43.1% and 49% from NH + 4_ 15 N, respectively. Both plants and soil microorganism recovered more NO - 3_ 15 N than NH + 4_ 15 N. But plants recovered more 15 N than soil microorganisms. During the whole experiment plants retained more NO - 3_N and 15 N than soil microorganisms while 15 N recovered in inorganic N pool did not exceed 1% due to lower amount of inorganic N. This indicates that plants play more important roles in the retention of deposited N although microbial biomass can be an important sink for deposited N in early days after N application.

Bioactive Characteristics of Soil Microorganisms in Different-aged Orange (Citrus reticulate) Plantations

[Objective] The paper was to study the bioactive characteristics of soil microorganisms in different-aged orange plantations. [Method] Taking 010 cm deep soil in 3 orange plantations with different planting years in suburb of Yichang City as the test object, the variation rule of total organic carbon, total nitrogen, soil pH value, microbial biomass carbon, microbial biomass nitrogen, number of 3 main types of soil microbial flora, basal respiration, microbial entropy and metabolic entropy in differentaged orange plantations was studied. [Result] With the increase of planting years, the soil acidification of different-aged orange plantations was aggravating; total organic carbon and total nitrogen content increased first and then decreased; the total number of soil microorganism showed a downtrend, of which the number of bacteria decreased significantly, the number of actinomycetes had small changes, the number of fungi increased significantly, and the ratio of bacteria and fungi in soil （B/F） showed a decreasing trend. Soil microbial biomass carbon was fluctuated within a small range, whereas soil microbial biomass nitrogen decreased significantly; soil microbial entropy decreased significantly, and metabolic entropy showed an increasing trend. This indicated that the decrease of soil pH value affected the changes of soil microbial flora, microbial activity, microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen and soil major nutrients, and further affected the normal exertion of soil function. [Conclusion] The study explores soil nutrient characteristics and changes of microbial flora in test area, which will provide scientific basis for further study on orchard soil and orchard management.

Effects of Different Land Use Patterns on Soil Microbial Quantity and Activity in Hongta District,Yuxi City

[Objective] This study aimed to investigate the effects of different land use patterns on soil ecological environment. [Method] Total three representative land use patterns （corn field, cherry tree land, wood land） were selected from Hongta District, Yuxi City, and under these three patterns, soil microbial quantity and activity were studied. [Result] Under the three land use patterns, soil microorganisms were domi- nated by bacteria; soil microbial quantity ranked as wood land＇s〉cheery tree land＇s〉 corn field＇s; and total microbial activity, catalase activity and urease activity all ranked as cherry tree land＇s〉wood land＇s〉corn field＇s. [Conclusion] Soil microbial activity and functions are related to farmland management measures, as well as land use pattern and soil nutrients.

Effect of land use on microbial biomass－C, －N and －P in red soils

Eleven red soils varying in land use and fertility status were used to examine the effect of land use on microbial biomass C, N and P. Microbial biomass C in the red soils ranged from about 68 mg C/kg to 225 mg C/kg, which is generally lower than that reported from other types of soil, probably because of low organic matter and high acidity in the red soils. Land use had considerable effects on the amounts of soil C mic . The C mic was the lowest in eroded fallow land, followed by woodland, tea garden, citrus grove and fallow grassland, and the highest in vegetable and paddy fields. There was significant correlation between C mic and organic matter content, suggesting that the influence of land use on C mic is mainly related to the input and accumulation of organic matter. Microbial biomass N in the soils ranged from 12.1 Nmg/kg to 31.7 Nmg/kg and was also affected by land use. The change of N mic with land use was similar to that of C mic . The microbial C/N ratio ranged from 5.2 to 9.9 and averaged 7.6. The N mic was significantly correlated with soil total N and available N. Microbial biomass P in the soils ranged from 4.5 mg P/kg to 52.3 mg P/kg. The microbial C/P ratio was in the range of 4-23. The P mic was relatively less affected by land use due to differences in fertilization practices for various land use systems.

Differences in Soil Microbial Biomass and Activity for Six Agroecosystems with a Management Disturbance Gradient

Different management practices in six agroecosystems located near Goldsboro, NC, USA were conducted including a successional field (SU), a plantation woodlot (WO), an integrated cropping system with animals (IN), an organic farming system (OR), and two cash-grain cropping systems employing either tillage (CT) or no-tillage (NT) to examine if and how microbial biomass and activity differ in response to alterations in disturbance intensity from six land management strategies. Results showed that soil microbial biomass and activity differed, with microbial activity in intermediately disturbed ecosystems (NT, OR, IN) being significantly higher (P ＜ 0.01) than systems with either high or low disturbance intensities. There was also a significant and a highly significant ecosystem effect from the treatments on microbial biomass C (MBC) (P ＜ 0.05) and on microbial activity (respiration) (P ＜ 0.01), respectively. Multiple comparisons of mean respiration rates distinctly separated the six ecosystem types into three groups: CT ＜ NT, SU and WO ＜ OR and IN.Thus, for detecting microbial response to disturbance changes these results indicated that the active component of the soil microbial community was a better indicator than total biomass.

Soil Microbial Activity During Secondary Vegetation Succession in Semiarid Abandoned Lands of Loess Plateau

To show the vegetation succession interaction with soil properties, microbial biomass, basal respiration, and enzyme activities in different soil layers （0-60 cm） were determined in six lands, i.e., 2-, 7-, 11-, 20-, and 43-year-old abandoned lands and one native grassland, in a semiarid hilly area of the Loess Plateau. The results indicated that the successional time and soil depths affected soil microbiological parameters significantly. In 20-cm soil layer, microbial biomass carbon （MBC）, microbial biomass nitrogen （MBN）, MBC/MBN, MBC to soil organic carbon ratio （MBC/SOC）, and soil basal respiration tended to increase with successional stages but decrease with soil depths. In contrast, metabolic quotient （qCO2） tended to decrease with successional stages but increase with soil depths. In addition, the activities of urease, catalase, neutral phosphatase, β-fructofuranosidase, and earboxymethyl cellulose （CMC） enzyme increased with successional stages and soil depths. They were significantly positively correlated with microbial biomass and SOC （P 〈 0.5）, whereas no obvious trend was observed for the polyphenoloxidase activity. The results indicated that natural vegetation succession could improve soil quality and promote ecosystem restoration, but it needed a long time under local climate conditions.

Cr(Ⅵ) reduction in chromium-contaminated soil by indigenous microorganisms under aerobic condition

Bioremediation plays an increasingly important role in the remediation of chromium-contaminated soil because it is an environmentally friendly technology. To investigate the Cr(Ⅵ)reduction process by indigenous microorganisms in soil, a batch of incubation experiments were carried out in a bioreactor under aerobic conditions. The results showed that in the presence of indigenous microorganisms, the Cr(Ⅵ) concentration in the chromium-contaminated soil decreased from 1521.9 to 199.2 mg/kg within 66 h with culture medium addition, while a slight decrease in the Cr(Ⅵ) concentration was found in the sterilized soil,implying that the indigenous microorganisms contributed to the Cr(Ⅵ) reduction. In the microbial remediation process, Cr(Ⅵ)microbial reduction occurred after the reduction of NO3-, Mn4+ and Fe3+ and,before SO42- reduction. The reduction process of Cr(Ⅵ) can be divided into two phases, characterized by the exponential equation model of microbial reduction and the linear equation model of the combined effect of the major ions. It can be concluded that indigenous Cr(Ⅵ)-reducing bacteria have a potential application for in-situ remediation of Cr(Ⅵ)-contaminated soil.

Research Progress of Soil Microbiology

This paper aims at summarized the research progress of soil microbes,in amount of soil microbes including bacteria,fungi and actinomycetes,soil microbial biomass,including microbial biomass carbon,microbial biomass nitrogen and microbial biomass phosphorus,function of microbial and screening and application of beneficial microorganisms etc.,and future research are discussed combined with our project team for many years of work.

Soil organic carbon pool along different altitudinal level in the Sygera Mountains, Tibetan Plateau

Labile organic carbon（LOC） is one of the most important indicators of soil organic matter quality and dynamics elevation and plays important function in the Tibetan Plateau climate. However, it is unknown what the sources and causes of LOC contamination are. In this study, soil organic carbon（SOC）, total nitrogen（TN）, microbial biomass carbon（MBC）, microbial biomass nitrogen（MBN） and LOC were analyzed based on different soil horizons and elevations using turnover time in an experimental site（3700 m to 4300 m area） in Sygera. SOC and LOC in higher-elevation vegetation types were higher than that of in lower-elevation vegetation types. Our results presented that the soil microbial biomass carbon（SMBC） and soil microbial biomass nitrogen（SMBN）were positively correlated with SOC. The content of easily oxidized carbon（EOC）, particulate organic carbon（POC） and light fraction organic carbon（LFOC） decreased with depth increasing and the content were the lowest in the 60 cm to 100 cm depth.The total SOC, ROC and POC contents decreased with increasing soil horizons. The SOC, TN, MBC and MBN contents increased with increasing altitude in the Sygera Mountains. The MBC and MBN contents weredifferent with the changes of SOC（p＆lt;0.05）,meanwhile, both LFOC and POC were related to total SOC（p＆lt;0.05）. The physical and chemical properties of soil, including temperature, humidity, and altitude,were involved in the regulation of SOC, TN, MBC,MBN and LFOC contents in the Sygera Mountains,Tibetan Plateau.

Impact of Heap Fermentation of Cocoa on Microbial Dynamics and Soil Physicochemical Parameters

The overall objective of the present study is to evaluate the impact of the heap fermentation of cocoa on microbial dynamics and physicochemical parameters of the soil. The methodology was to heap fermentation broad beans 600 cocoa pods moved to a place after the soil was taken for microbiological and physicochemical analyzes considered the control sample. In addition, cocoa lixiviate and soil were subjected to analyze. Chemical analysis of cocoa lixiviate revealed the absence of heavy metals such as cadmium, chromium. It appears from the analysis of soil than clays represent on average 46.67%, 8.03% for fine silt, heavy silt 5.69%, 15.39% fine sands and heavy sands 20.02%. Microbiological analysis revealed the abundance of total coliform up to 4.6× 103 CFU/g soil. The variations of the abundance of yeasts are 0.01 × 103 CFU/g soil obtained on day 2 at 12 o＇clock to 3.5 × 103 CFU/g soil observed on day 3 to 18 pm （0-3 cm deep）. However, further study on the assessment of biodiversity after the fermentation would determine its species richness.

Prolonged Production of L-DOPA Using Immobilized Aspergillus Terreus

The objective of this study is to improve the production of L-DOPA from fungal source like Aspergillus terreus that can be further used to large-scale commercial production of this important drug from microbial sources. L-DOPA, a dopamine precursor that can pass the blood-brain barrier, is presently the drug of choice for Parkinson＇s disease. Microbial production and isolation of L-DOPA from natural sources is yet to be achieved an economical process. In this study, the mycelial pellets ofAspergillus terreus 104 were entrapped in 2% calcium alginate and were studied for their capacity for L-3, 4-dihydroxyphenylalanine production. Results showed that the immobilized pellets produced L-DOPA to the extent of 0.74 mg·G^-1 biomass while the free pellets produced 0.8 mg·G^-1 biomass. Further, storage of immobilized pellets for 96 h at 4 ℃ resulted in the reduction of the original L-DOPA producing activity of the gel beads only 40% and that of free pellets lost completely. In order to improve the production yield, further experiments were designed. It was found that L-DOPA production could be prolonged with repeated batch wise use of immobilized mycelial pellets in calcium alginate retaining 80% of their L-DOPA producing capacity for a period of 72 h while free pellets lost completely within 24 h. Results of this kind therefore is interesting and promising for commercial scale production of L-DOPA from microbial sources.

Biochar-Soil Interactions in Four Agricultural Soils

Soils in south-western Australia are highly weathered and deficient in nutrients for agricultural production. Addition of biochar has been suggested as a mean of improving soil C storage, texture and nutrient retention of these soils. Clay amendment in sandy soils in this region is a management practice used to improve soil conditions, including water repellence. In this study a woody biochar(Simcoa biochar) was characterised using scanning electron microscopy before, and four weeks after, it was incorporated into each of four soils differing in clay content and organic matter. Scanning electron microscopy of Simcoa biochar after incubation in soil showed different degrees of attachment of soil particles to the biochar surfaces after 28 d. In addition, the effects of three biochars, Simcoa biochar, activated biochar and Wundowie biochar, on soil microbial biomass C and soil respiration were investigated in a short-term incubation experiment. It was hypothesised that all three biochars would have greater potential to increase soil microbial activity in the soil that had higher organic matter and clay. After 28-d incubation in soil, all three biochars had led to a higher microbial biomass C in the clayey soil, but prior to this time, less marked differences were observed in microbial biomass C among the four soils following biochar application.

Effects of Forest Types and Environmental Factors on Soil Microbial Biomass in a Coastal Sand Dune of Subtropical China

Coastal sand dune ecosystems generally have infertile soil with low water-holding capacity and high salinity. However, many plant species have adapted to the harsh sand environment along the southeastern coast of China. Studying the microbial biomass in such an ecosystem can improve our understanding of the roles that microbes play in soil fertility and nutrient cycling. We investigated the differences in soil microbial biomass carbon(MBC) and nitrogen(MBN) contents and their seasonal dynamics in five forest types(a secondary forest and plantations of Casuarinas, Pine, Acacia, and Eucalyptus). The results indicated that the seasonal variations of soil MBC and MBN contents in all five forest stands were higher in spring and winter, but lower in summer and autumn. The MBC content was lower in the Casuarinas plantation than in the other plantations in the same soil layer. However, no significant differences were observed in MBN contents among the different forest types. The MBC and MBN concentrations were positively correlated with soil moisture, but negatively correlated with soil temperature. The MBC and MBN contents also decreased with increasing soil depth. Across all soil layers, secondary forest had the highest MBC and MBN concentrations. Our study also showed that the MBC and MBN contents were positively affected by total soil carbon(TC), pH, and litter N content, but were negatively impacted by soil bulk density and litter C content. Moreover, the MBN content was positively correlated with root N content. In summary, environmental factors and the differences in litter and fine roots, soil nutrient contents, as well as the soil physical and chemical properties caused by different tree species collectively affected the concentrations of the soil MBC and MBN.

Soil Microbiological and Biochemical Properties as Affected by Different Long-Term Banana-Based Rotations in the Tropics

Soil microbiological and biochemical properties under various field crop rotations such as grains, pastures and vegetables have been studied intensively under short-term period. However, there is limited information about the influence of banana-based rotations on soil organic C, total N(TN), microbial biomasses and enzyme activities under long-term crop rotations. A field experiment arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replicates was carried out at the Wanzhong Farm in Ledong(18?37′–18?38′N, 108?46′–108?48′E), Hainan Province, China, to compare the responses of these soil parameters to long-term(10-year) banana(Musa paradisiaca)-pineapple(Ananas) rotation(AB), banana-papaya(Carica) rotation(BB) and banana monoculture(CK) in a conventional tillage system in the Hainan Island. Soil p H, total organic C(TOC), dissolved organic C(DOC), TN, total P(TP) and available P(AP) were found to be significantly higher(P < 0.01) in AB and BB than CK at 0–30 cm soil depth. Microbial biomass C(MBC) and N(MBN) were observed 18.0%–35.2% higher in AB and 8.6%–40.5% higher in BB than CK at 0–30 cm. The activities of urease(UA), invertase(IA), dehydrogenase(DA) and acid phosphatase(APA) showed a mean of 21.5%–59.6% increase in AB and 26.7%–66.1% increase in BB compared with CK at 0–30 cm. Higher p H, TOC and DOC at 0–10 and 10–20 cm than at 20–30 cm were obtained despite of the rotations. Soil MBC and MBN and activities of UA, IA and DA decreased markedly(P < 0.01) with increasing soil depth in the different rotation soils as well as the monoculture soil. In general, soil microbial biomass and enzymatic activities were more sensitive to changes in banana-based rotations than soil chemical properties, and consequently they were well-established as early indicators of changes due to crop rotations in the tropics.

Relationship Between Vegetation Restoration and Soil Microbial Characteristics in Degraded Karst Regions: A Case Study

The mechanism of vegetation restoration on degraded karst regions has been a research focus of soil science and ecology for the last decade.In an attempt to preferably interpret the soil microbiological characteristic variation associated with vegetation restoration and further to explore the role of soil microbiology in vegetation restoration mechanism of degraded karst regions,we measured microbial biomass C and basal respiration in soils during vegetation restoration in Zhenfeng County of southwestern Guizhou Province,China.The community level physiological profiles(CLPP) of the soil microbial community to were estimated determine if vegetation changes were accompanied by changes in functioning of soil microbial communities.The results showed that soil microbial biomass C and microbial quotient(microbial biomass C/organic C) tended to increase with vegetation restoration,being in the order arboreal community stage > shrubby community stage > herbaceous community stage > bare land stage.Similar trend was found in the change of basal respiration(BR).The metabolic quotient(the ratio of basal respiration to microbial biomass,qCO 2) decreased with vegetation restoration,and remained at a constantly low level in the arboreal community stage.Analyses of the CLPP data indicated that vegetation restoration tended to result in higher average well color development,substrate richness,and functional diversity.Average utilization of specific substrate guilds was highest in the arboreal community stage.Principle component analysis of the CLPP data further indicated that the arboreal community stage was distinctly different from the other three stages.In conclusion,vegetation restoration improved soil microbial biomass C,respiration,and utilization of carbon sources,and decreased qCO 2,thus creating better soil conditions,which in turn could promote the restoration of vegetation on degraded karst regions.

Soil Microbial Responses to Biochars Varying in Particle Size,Surface and Pore Properties

Biochars are known for their heterogeneity, especially in pore and surface structure associated with pyrolysis processes and sources of feedstocks. The surface area of biochar is likely to be an important determinant of the extent of soil microbial attachment, whereas the porous structure of biochar is expected to provide protection for soil microorganisms. Potential interactions between biochars from different sources and with different particle sizes were investigated in relation to soil microbial properties in a short-term incubation study. Three particle size （sieved） fractions （0.5-1.0, 1.0-2.0 and 2.0-4.0 mm） from three woody biochars produced from jarrah wood, jarrah and wandoo wood and Australian wattle branches, respectively, were incubated in soil at 25 ℃ for 56 d. Observation by scanning electron microscopy （SEM） and characterisation of pore and surface area showed that all three woody biochars provided potential habitats for soil microorganisms due to their high porosity and surface areas. The biochars were structurally heterogeneous, varying in porosity and surface structure both within and between the biochar sources. After the 56-d incubation, hyphal colonisation was observed on biochar surfaces and in larger biochar pores. Soil clumping occurred on biochar particles, cementing and covering exposed biochar pores. This may have altered surface area and pore availability for microbial colonisation. Transient changes in soil microbial biomass, without a consistent trend, were observed among biochars during the 56-d incubation.

Improved Biodegradation of 1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene by Adapted Microorganisms in Agricultural Soil and in Soil Suspension Cultures

Inoculating soil with an adapted microbial community is a more effective bioaugmentation approach than inoculation with pure strains in bioremediation.However,information on the potential of different inocula from sites with varying contamination levels and pollution histories in soil remediation is lacking.The objective of the study was to investigate the potential of adapted microorganisms in soil inocula,with different contamination levels and pollution histories,to degrade 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene (1,2,4-TCB).Three different soils from chlorobenzene-contaminated sites were inoculated into agricultural soils and soil suspension cultures spiked with 1,2,4-TCB.The results showed that 36.52% of the initially applied 1,2,4-TCB was present in the non-inoculated soil,whereas about 19.00% of 1,2,4-TCB was present in the agricultural soils inoculated with contaminated soils after 28 days of incubation.The soils inoculated with adapted microbial biomass (in the soil inocula) showed higher respiration and lower 1,2,4-TCB volatilization than the non-inoculated soils,suggesting the existence of 1,2,4-TCB adapted degraders in the contaminated soils used for inoculation.It was further confirmed in the contaminated soil suspension cultures that the concentration of inorganic chloride ions increased continuously over the entire experimental period.Higher contamination of the inocula led not only to higher degradation potential but also to higher residue formation.However,even inocula of low-level contamination were effective in enhancing the degradation of 1,2,4-TCB.Therefore,applying adapted microorganisms in the form of soil inocula,especially with lower contamination levels,could be an effective and environment-friendly strategy for soil remediation.

Microbial Biomass and PLFA Profile Changes in Rhizosphere of Pakchoi(Brassica chinensis L.) as Affected by External Cadmium Loading

The effects of root activity on microbial response to cadmium(Cd) loading in the rhizosphere are not well understood.A pot experiment in greenhouse was conducted to investigate the effects of low Cd loading and root activity on microbial biomass and community structure in the rhizosphere of pakchoi(Brassica chinensis L.) on silty clay loam and silt loamy soil.Cd was added into soil as Cd(NO_3)_2 to reach concentrations ranging from 0.00 to 7.00 mg kg^(-1).The microbial biomass carbon(MBC) and community structure were affected by Cd concentration,root activity,and soil type.Lower Cd loading rates(<1.00 mg kg^(-1)) stimulated the growth of pakchoi and microorganisms,but higher Cd concentrations inhibited the growth of microorganisms.The content of phospholipid fatty acids(PLFAs) was sensitive to increased Cd levels.MBC was linearly correlated with the total PLFAs.The content of general PLFAs in the fungi was positively correlated with the available Cd in the soil,whereas those in the bacteria and actinomycetes were negatively correlated with the available Cd in the soil.These results indicated that fungi were more resistant to Cd stress than bacteria or actinomycetes,and the latter was the most sensitive to Cd stress.Microbial biomass was more abundant in the rhizosphere than in the bulk soil.Root activity enhanced the growth of microorganisms and stabilized the microbial community structure in the rhizosphere.PLFA analysis was proven to be sensitive in detecting changes in the soil microbial community in response to Cd stress and root activity.

Impact of Land Degradation on Soil Microbial Biomass and Activity in Northeast Brazil

Land degradation causes great changes in the soil biological properties.The process of degradation may decrease soil microbial biomass and consequently decrease soil microbial activity.The study was conducted out during 2009 and 2010 at the four sites of land under native vegetation(NV),moderately degraded land(LDL),highly degraded land(HDL) and land under restoration for four years(RL) to evaluate changes in soil microbial biomass and activity in lands with different degradation levels in comparison with both land under native vegetation and land under restoration in Northeast Brazil.Soil samples were collected at 0-10 cm depth.Soil organic carbon(SOC),soil microbial biomass C(MBC) and N(MBN),soil respiration(SR),and hydrolysis of fluorescein diacetate(FDA) and dehydrogenase(DHA) activities were analyzed.After two years of evaluation,soil MBC,MBN,FDA and DHA had higher values in the NV,followed by the RL.The decreases of soil microbial biomass and enzyme activities in the degraded lands were approximately 8-10 times as large as those found in the NV.However,after land restoration,the MBC and MBN increased approximately 5-fold and 2-fold,respectively,compared with the HDL.The results showed that land degradation produced a strong decrease in soil microbial biomass.However,land restoration may promote short-and long-term increases in soil microbial biomass.