Biological soil crusts on agricultural soils of mesic regions promote microbial cross-kingdom co-occurrences and nutrient retention.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Biological soil crusts (biocrusts) are known as biological hotspots on undisturbed, nutrient-poor bare soil surfaces and until now, are mostly observed in (semi-) arid regions but are currently poorly understood in agricultural systems. This is a crucial knowledge gap because managed sites of mesic regions can quickly cover large areas. Thus, we addressed the questions (i) if biocrusts from agricultural sites of mesic regions also increase nutrients and microbial biomass as their (semi-) arid counterparts, and (ii) how microbial community assemblage in those biocrusts is influenced by disturbances like different fertilization and tillage regimes.

Methods

We compared phototrophic biomass, nutrient concentrations as well as the abundance, diversity and co-occurren

SUBMITTER: Kurth JK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10382179 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature