Control of inorganic and organic phosphorus molecules on microbial activity, and the stoichiometry of nutrient cycling in soils in an arid, agricultural ecosystem.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The dynamics of carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) in soils determine their fertility and crop growth in agroecosystems. These dynamics depend on microbial metabolism, which in turn depends on nutrient availability. Farmers typically apply either mineral or organic fertilizers to increase the availability of nutrients in soils. Phosphorus, which usually limits plant growth, is one of the most applied nutrients. Our knowledge is limited regarding how different forms of P impact the ability of microbes in soils to produce the enzymes required to release nutrients, such as C, N and P from different substrates.

Methods

In this study, we used the arable layer of a calcareous soil obtained from an alfalfa cropland in Cuatro Cienegas, México, to perform an incu

SUBMITTER: Chavez-Ortiz P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11426319 | biostudies-literature | 2024

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature