Inconsistent response of soil bacterial and fungal communities in aggregates to litter decomposition during short-term incubation.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Soil aggregate-size classes and microbial communities within the aggregates are important factors regulating the soil organic carbon (SOC) turnover. However, the response of soil bacterial and fungal communities in aggregates to litter decomposition in different aggregate-size classes is poorly understand.

Methods

Soil samples from un-grazed natural grassland were separated into four dry aggregate classes of different sizes (2-4 mm, 1-2 mm, 0.25-1 mm and <0.25 mm). Two types of plant litter (leaf and stem) of Leymus chinensis were added to each of the four aggregate class samples. The CO₂ release rate, SOC storage and soil microbial communities were measured at the end of the 56-day incubation.

Results

The results showed that the 1-2 mm ag

SUBMITTER: Li J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6858812 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature