Impact of moisture on microbial decomposition phenotypes and enzyme dynamics.

ABSTRACT: Soil organic matter decomposition is a complex process reflecting microbial composition and environmental conditions. Moisture can modulate the connectivity and interactions of microbes. Due to heterogeneity, a deeper understanding of the influence of soil moisture on the dynamics of organic matter decomposition and resultant phenotypes remains a challenge. Soils from a long-term field experiment exposed to high and low moisture treatments were incubated in the laboratory to investigate organic matter decomposition using chitin as a model substrate. By combining enzymatic assays, biomass measurements, and microbial enrichment via activity-based probes, we determined the microbial functional response to chitin amendments and field moisture treatments at both the community and cell scales. C

SUBMITTER: Reichart NJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12649754 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature