喀斯特峰丛洼地不同退耕还林还草模式的土壤微生物特性

以坡耕地为对照,研究了喀斯特峰丛洼地任豆、香椿、板栗、柑橘、任豆+桂牧1号、桂牧1号和撂荒7种常见退耕还林还草模式下土壤微生物种群数量、微生物量碳氮磷及其分形特征和主要土壤酶活性特征。结果表明,不同退耕还林还草模式土壤微生物种群数量组成不同,除任豆模式外其他退耕还林还草模式均能提高土壤微生物总数量;不同退耕还林还草模式(除任豆模式外)土壤微生物量碳(MB_C)含量极显著增加,撂荒地最高,土壤微生物量氮(MB_N)含量变化范围不大,呈下降趋势,土壤微生物量磷(MB_P)含量的变异很大,香椿、板栗、撂荒和桂牧1号模式显著或极显著高于坡耕地;土壤MB_C与细菌数量的关系最相关(D=-4.07,R=0.81,P<0.01),其次为MB_C与放线菌数量(D=3.82,R=0.44,P<0.05),再次为MB_N与真菌数量(D=0.58,R=0.61,P<0.01),MB_C与真菌数量、MB_N与细菌、放线菌数量以及MB_P与细菌、真菌、放线菌数量之间不存在分形关系;不同退耕还林还草模式(除桂牧1号模式外)均显著或极显著增加了土壤蔗糖酶、脲酶和磷酸酶活性。总之,不同退耕还林还草模式均改善了土壤微生物特性,为喀斯特峰丛洼地脆弱生态系统恢复与重建提供了重要依据。     

林地覆盖对雷竹林土壤微生物特征及其与土壤养分制约性关系的影响

为了探讨林地覆盖雷竹林退化机理,给退化雷竹林恢复提供理论参考,对不同覆盖年限(CK、1、3 a 和6 a) 雷竹林土壤微生物区系组成和生物量碳(C_mic)、氮(N_mic)、磷(P_mic)等特征因子进行了测定,并分析了其与土壤养分的制约性关系。结果表明:(1) 雷竹林土壤微生物以细菌为主,真菌次之,放线菌最少,分别占土壤微生物总量的90.11%-98.03%、1.04%-9.22%和0.67%-1.37%。随覆盖年限增加,细菌、放线菌比率呈下降趋势,真菌比率呈上升趋势;土壤微生物总数、细菌和放线菌数量及C_mic、N_mic、P_mic均呈先升高后降低的变化趋势,试验雷竹林间差异极显著,真菌数量总体呈极显著升高趋势。(2)雷竹林土壤微生物特征因子与土壤有机质(SOM)、全氮(TN)、全磷(TP)、碱解氮(Available nitrogen, AN)和pH均呈显著或极显著相关,其中,CK和覆盖1 a、3 a雷竹林土壤微生物特征因子与土壤养分主要呈正相关,与pH呈负相关,而覆盖6 a雷竹林则相反。(3)不同覆盖年限雷竹林土壤养分与土壤微生物的制约性关系存在一定的差异,CK雷竹林土壤SOM、TN、AN、速效钾(AK)和pH主要影响土壤C_mic、N_mic和细菌,覆盖1 a雷竹林土壤SOM、TN、TP和AK主要影响土壤P_mic、放线菌和细菌,覆盖3 a雷竹林土壤SOM、TN、速效磷(AP)和AN主要影响土壤N_mic、放线菌和真菌,覆盖6 a雷竹林土壤SOM、TN和pH主要影响土壤N_mic、真菌。研究表明:长期覆盖雷竹林土壤细菌、放线菌数量与比例明显降低,真菌数量与比例明显提高,土壤养分与土壤微生物的制约性作用关系会发生较为明显变化,产生土壤障害,这是覆盖雷竹林退化的主要原因之一。     

川西亚高山天然次生林不同演替阶段土壤-微生物生物量及其化学计量特征

开展不同恢复演替阶段天然次生林土壤-微生物生物量及其化学计量特征关系的研究,可为有效和持续管理川西亚高山次生林提供科学依据。以川西亚高山米亚罗林区20世纪60、70、80年代3种采伐迹地经自然恢复演替形成的次生林（SF60、SF70和SF80）和岷江冷杉（Abies faxoniana）原始林（PF）为研究对象,探讨了表层（0-20 cm）土壤有机碳（C_soil）、全氮（N_soil）、全磷（P_soil）含量及微生物生物量碳（C_mic）、氮（N_mic）、磷（P_mic）含量随自然恢复演替的变化特征,分析了它们的化学计量比与微生物熵（qMB）之间的相互关系。结果表明：（1）随着恢复演替年限的增加,C_soil和N_mic含量显著降低,N_soil和P_soil及C_mic和P_mic含量呈现先升后降的显著变化趋势,且3种次生林的表层土壤碳、氮、磷及其微生物生物量的含量均低于PF。（2）次生林恢复年限对土壤微生物熵C（qMBC）和P（qMBP）没有显著影响,但对土壤微生物熵N（qMBN）存在显著影响。（3）土壤-微生物化学计量不平衡性C_imb：N_imb随自然恢复演替进程呈先降后升的显著变化趋势,C_imb：P_imb呈不显著的降低趋势,N_imb：P_imb呈现显著降低趋势。冗余分析显示,N_imb：P_imb和C_mic：N_mic是影响qMB变化的主导因子,其中N_imb：P_imb解释了qMB变化的62.6%,说明土壤氮磷及其活性组分（N_mic和P_mic）含量变化可能会影响到qMB变化。综上可知,次生林近60 年的自然恢复演替引起了土壤碳氮磷含量的显著变化;天然次生林土壤-微生物生物量碳氮磷化学计量比主要受到氮磷的协同影响,且SF60土壤质量状况较差,为此,对SF60林分可适当增加氮素供给以促进其林木生长,进而提升土壤质量。     

黄土高原水蚀风蚀交错区坡地土壤剖面饱和导水率空间异质性

在黄土高原水蚀风蚀交错区坡面(40 m×350 m)尺度上进行网格(10 m×10 m)取样,用经典统计学和地统计学相结合研究了180个土壤剖面(0-200 cm)各土层扰动土饱和导水率(Ks) 的空间异质性及分布格局。结果表明: 0-20 cm土层的Ks值(5.36×10^-3 cm/s)最大,>20-200 cm各土层的Ks值均小于表层,其值介于4.32×10^-3-4.76×10^-3 cm/s之间。各土层Ks的变异程度相近,均属于中等变异。>20-200 cm各土层Ks 的Kriging 插值图分布格局也表现出一致性,因此可用>20-40 cm土层的Ks值来代表深层Ks值对土壤水分运动进行模拟。除了0-20 cm 的Ks的基台值(C +C₀)为0.154,其它各土层基台值介于0.202-0.276之间,说明0-20 cm的Ks空间异质性小于>20-200 cm各土层。从比值C/(C+C₀)来看, 0-20 cm属于中等自相关,>20-200 cm土层属于强的空间自相关性,同样也验证了黄土高原水蚀风蚀交错区土壤剖面饱和导水率具有空间变异特征。     

西南峡谷型喀斯特坡地土壤微生物量C、N、P空间变异特征

土壤微生物是陆地生态系统中最活跃的成分,它推动着生态系统的能量和物质循环,被公认为土壤生态系统变化的预警及敏感指标。以西南峡谷型喀斯特坡地为研究对象,基于网格法取样,结合经典统计学和地统计学方法,揭示了土壤微生物生物量的空间分布与格局及其主要影响因子。结果表明,西南峡谷型喀斯特坡地土壤微生物生物量碳(MBC)、氮(MBN)、磷(MBP)、碳氮比(MBC/MBN)、碳磷比(MBC/MBP)适宜,MBC、MBN、MBP变异均很大;空间自相关性明显,除MBP最佳拟合模型为球状模型外,其他指标均为指数模型。C0/(C0+C)均25%(4.9%—6.2%),呈强烈的空间相关,这主要由结构性变异引起。Kriging等值线图表明,MBC、MBN的高值区集中在坡中上部;MBP的格局明显不同,高值区集中在坡脚;MBC/MBN斑块较大,变化缓和;MBC/MBP的空间分布规律不明显,斑块多而破碎。西南峡谷型喀斯特坡地土壤微生物量空间分布的影响因子很多,其中,影响土壤微生物量碳和氮的主要因子有土层厚度、pH、碱解氮。西南峡谷型喀斯特坡地土壤微生物不仅存在着小尺度的空间分布格局,而且不同土壤微生物属性的空间分布不同。因此,应采取适宜措施,激活土壤微生物活性。     

施氮量对麻疯树幼苗生长及叶片光合特性的影响

采用盆栽土培的方法,研究了不同施氮量(对照N₀ 0 kg N/hm²、低氮N_L 96 kg N/hm²、中氮N_M 288 kg N/hm²、高氮N_H 480 kg N/hm²)对麻疯树幼苗生长、叶片气体交换及叶绿素荧光参数的影响。结果表明,麻疯树幼苗叶片氮含量、可溶性蛋白含量、株高、地径、叶片数量、叶面积、根长、各组分生物量、叶片净光合速率(P_n)、气孔导度(G_s)、蒸腾速率(T_r)和水分利用效率(WUE)均随施氮量的增加先升高后降低,N_M处理下麻疯树幼苗长势最好,各气体交换参数值最高;施氮对麻疯树地上部分的促进作用远大于地下部分,施氮后根冠比显著降低;此外,麻疯树叶绿素含量、PSⅡ最大光化学量子产量(Fv/Fm)、PSⅡ有效量子产量(F'v/F'm)、PSⅡ实际光化学效率(Φ_PSⅡ)、电子传递速率(ETR)和光化学淬灭系数(qP)均随施氮量的增加而升高,非光化学淬灭系数(NPQ)随施氮量增加而降低。适量施氮可通过增强叶绿体光化学活性、气孔导度和羧化能力而提高麻疯树幼苗的光合能力,促进生长;过高施氮对麻疯树幼苗光合与生长的促进效应降低。试验条件下,当年生麻疯树幼苗的最适施氮量为288 kg N/hm²。     

陕西定边盐渍土土壤含盐量和pH的空间分布特征

为给陕西省定边县堆子梁镇盐渍土综合整治提供基础资料,对该地区盐渍土土壤含盐量和pH的空间分布特征进行研究。运用地统计学方法对研究区土壤含盐量和pH的空间分布特征进行分析。结果表明,研究区土壤含盐量的平均值为0.54%,高于强度盐渍化土标准（>0.4%）,属于强度盐渍化土;pH的平均值为8.90,属于碱性土壤;同时,pH空间分布格局总体呈高含盐量区域pH低的特点。分析半方差函数可知,土壤含盐量变化符合指数模型,自相关距为2 010 m,块金系数C₀/(C₀+C)为0.50,表现出中等变异程度;pH变化符合线性模型,自相关距为2 377 m,块金系数C₀/(C₀+C)为0.21,具有强烈的空间相关性。根据盐渍土土壤性质的空间分布特征,在研究区盐渍土土壤综合整治中,可采取分区域、分方法、有针对性地进行改良与利用的措施。     

高大气CO2浓度下小麦旗叶光合能量利用对氮素和光强的响应

采用开顶式气室盆栽培养小麦,设计2个大气CO₂浓度、2个光照强度和2个氮水平的组合处理,通过测定小麦叶片光合速率-胞间CO₂浓度响应曲线和叶绿素荧光参数,来测算小麦叶片光化学速率、光合电子传递速率以及叶绿体磷酸丙糖利用效率(TPU)等参数,研究施氮量和光强对高大气CO₂浓度下小麦旗叶光合能量传递与分配的影响,以阐明全球气候变化下植物光合能量分配对光合作用适应性下调的作用机制及其氮素调控。结果表明,大气CO₂浓度升高后小麦叶片的光呼吸电子传递速率(J₀)和Rubisco氧化速率(V₀)显著下降;光合电子流的光化学传递速率(J_C)、Rubisco羧化速率(V_C)和TPU则明显升高,而且施氮后变化幅度加大;小麦叶片J_C/J_F(PSⅡ反应中心总电子流速率)和TPU/V_C显著增加,经过PSⅡ反应中心的电子流更多地进入碳同化过程,表现较高的光合速率(P_n)。遮荫提高了叶片光化学速率和PSⅡ反应中心总电子流速率(J_F),这一作用在低氮叶片尤为突出,但使得J₀和V₀明显升高,并显著降低J_C/J_F,所以P_n明显下降。正常光照条件下,增施氮素可提高小麦叶片的J_F、J_C、V_C和TPU,并使高大气CO₂浓度下J₀和V₀较正常大气CO₂浓度处理显著降低,有效地提高了植物叶片对光能的利用效率;遮荫后高大气CO₂浓度下小麦叶片J_C、V_C、TPU、J_C/J_F和TPU/V_C显著高于正常大气CO₂浓度处理,而且这一变化不受氮素水平的显著调节。因此,氮素在高大气CO₂浓度下对小麦叶片光合能量利用的调节因光强而异,正常光照下可显著改善小麦叶片对光合能量的利用状况,而遮荫后这一作用减弱。     

土壤氧气可获得性对双季稻田温室气体排放通量的影响

为探讨土壤氧气可获得性(SOA)对双季稻田温室气体排放的影响,利用静态箱气相色谱法对多种管理措施影响下稻田温室气体排放通量和土壤氧化还原电位(Eh)、pH值及田间淹水深度(H)等3种SOA因子进行了观测。结果表明,甲烷(CH₄)排放最集中的Eh值、pH值和H范围分别为-100-0mV、5 < pH < 6和1-5cm,3个范围内分别观测到48.8%、61.1%和77.0%的CH₄排放,其中H对CH₄排放影响最明显,单独由其就可解释37.8%的CH₄排放通量(P < 0.0001)。对于氧化亚氮(N₂O),观测到较多的负通量,其纯排放最密集的3种SOA因子的范围分别是:0-100mV、5 < pH < 6和1-5cm,而200-300mV是其排放的临界Eh范围,高于此范围N₂O排放极少。厌氧的反硝化过程是双季稻田N₂O产生的主导过程。可为水稻田温室气体排放机理研究提供基础数据。     

黔中喀斯特山区村域稻田土壤理化特性的空间变异特征及空间自相关性

以贵州省安顺市西秀区旧州镇文星村为研究区域,采用地统计学方法,研究了黔中喀斯特山区土壤容重、总孔隙度、毛管持水量、毛管孔隙度、通气孔隙度等物理特性与土壤pH、有机质、速效养分(S、Si、N、P、K、Fe、Zn、Cu、Mn)、全量养分(N、P、K)、交换性盐(Ca、Mg)及阳离子交换量等化学特性的空间变异特征及自相关性。在土壤各特征值中,pH、毛管孔隙度变异系数分别为4.59%、8.28%、9.83%,为弱变异;其他变异系数在10%-100%之间,为中等程度变异。半方差分析表明,土壤毛管持水量、通气孔隙度、毛管孔隙度、速效养分(S、Si、Cu、Mn)、全量养分(N、P、K)、交换性盐(Ca、Mg)及阳离子交换量的C₀/(C₀+C)<25%,表现为强烈的空间自相关性;容重、pH、速效养分(N、P、K、Fe、Zn)及有机质的C₀/(C₀+C)在25%-75%之间,表现为中等空间自相关性,而Moran''s I指数分析表明,除毛管孔隙度、有效S、速效P及有效Mn的空间自相关性较弱外,其他均呈正的显著空间自相关性。根据克里金插值图,在研究区域内土壤毛管孔隙度及毛管持水量与pH、速效养分(S、Si、Zn、Cu、)全P、全N、有机质、交换性Ca、Mg及阳离子交换量在东北方向和西北角分布较低,在西南角方向土壤容重及通气孔隙度分布较低,而pH、速效K、有效Cu、全P、全K、有机质、阳离子交换量分布较高,且速效养分(N、K、S、Cu)、全P、有机质的含量及阳离子交换量均存在从西南向东北方向递减的趋势。     

木论喀斯特自然保护区土壤微生物生物量的空间格局

土壤微生物是森林生态系统中的重要分解者,在森林生态系统物质循环和能量转换中占有特别重要的地位。以典型喀斯特峰丛洼地为试验对象,利用经典统计学和地统计方法分析了土壤微生物量的空间变异特征。结果表明:土壤微生物量的变异程度均很大,土壤微生物量碳(Cmic)、土壤微生物量氮(Nmic)、土壤微生物量磷(Pmic)的变化范围依次为:44.29—5209.63,20.91—1894.37,0.34—77.06 mg/kg。Cmic、Nmic呈极显著的相关关系,Cmic/Nmic为4.78,明显低于其它生态系统。半变异函数分析表明,Cmic和Nmic的最佳拟合模型为高斯模型,Pmic的最佳拟合模型为球状模型,Cmic/Nmic的最佳拟合模型为指数模型。土壤微生物量的块金值/基台值均介于25%—75%之间,表现为中等空间相关性,说明其受随机因素和结构因素的综合影响。Cmic、Nmic的自相关距离约为50 m,随着滞后距离的增大,自相关函数逐渐向负方向增长,达到显著的负相关。Pmic的Moran’s I在滞后距大于70 m后反而增大,表现为正相关。Cmic/Nmic的Moran’s I较小,在-0.2—0.2之间波动。Cmic、Nmic的空间分布具有很高的相似性,呈凸型片状分布,坡中含量高且向两边递减。Pmic表现为明显不同的分布格局,其在坡中上位和洼地含量较高。Cmic/Nmic呈相反的凹形零星斑块状分布。土壤微生物存在着一定的空间格局,受干扰后其含量急剧降低,因此应加强喀斯特原生生态系统的保护。     

帽儿山地区不同土地利用方式下土壤-微生物-矿化碳氮化学计量特征

土地利用方式的变化导致土壤碳氮含量及其化学计量关系的变化,然而土壤微生物化学计量及其驱动的碳氮矿化过程如何响应这种变化仍不明确。以帽儿山地区天然落叶阔叶林、人工红松林、草地和农田4种不同土地利用类型为对象,测定其土壤有机碳(C_(soil))、全氮(N_(soil))、微生物生物量碳和氮(C_(mic)和N_(mic))、土壤碳和氮矿化速率(C_(min)和N_(min)),旨在比较不同土地利用方式对土壤、微生物碳氮化学计量特征及矿化速率的影响,探索土壤-微生物-矿化之间碳氮化学计量特征的相关性,揭示微生物对土壤碳氮化学计量变化的响应和调控机制。结果显示:C_(soil)、N_(soil)、C_(mic)、N_(mic)和C_(min)均呈现天然落叶阔叶林人工红松林草地农田,而天然落叶阔叶林和草地的N_(min)显著高于人工红松林和农田。土地利用方式显著影响土壤和微生物碳氮比(C∶N_(soil)和C∶N_(mic)),均呈现农田最高。不同土地利用方式的数据综合分析发现:碳氮矿化速率比与C∶N_(mic)呈负相关,而和微生物与土壤碳氮化学计量不平衡性(C∶N_(imb))显著正相关。单位微生物生物量的碳矿化速率(qCO_2)随着C∶N_(mic)的增加而降低,而单位微生物生物量的氮矿化速率(qAN)随着C∶N_(mic)的增加而增加。C∶N_(imb)与qCO_2正相关,与qAN负相关。以上结果表明,微生物会通过改变自身碳氮化学计量、调整碳氮之间相对矿化速率,以适应土地利用变化导致的土壤碳氮及其化学计量的变异性,以满足自身生长和代谢的碳氮需求平衡。     

Soil nutrients and microbial biomass in three contrasting Mediterranean forests

Aims

The extent to which the spatial and temporal patterns of soil microbial and available nutrient pools hold across different Mediterranean forest types is unclear impeding the generalization needed to consolidate our understanding on Mediterranean ecosystems functioning.

Methods

We explored the response of soil microbial, total, organic and inorganic extractable nutrient pools (C, N and P) to common sources of variability, namely habitat (tree cover), soil depth and season (summer drought), in three contrasting Mediterranean forest types: a Quercus ilex open woodland, a mixed Q. suber and Q. canariensis woodland and a Pinus sylvestris forest.

Results

Soil microbial and available nutrient pools were larger beneath tree cover than in open areas in both oak woodlands whereas the opposite trend was found in the pine forest. The greatest differences in soil properties between habitat types were found in the open woodland. Season (drought effect) was the main driver of variability in the pine forest and was related to a loss of microbial nutrients (up to 75 % loss of N_mic and P_mic) and an increase in microbial ratios (C_mic/N_mic, C_mic/P_mic) from Spring to Summer in all sites. Nutrient pools consistently decreased with soil depth, with microbial C, N and P in the top soil being up to 208 %, 215 % and 274 % larger than in the deeper soil respectively.

Conclusions

Similar patterns of variation emerged in relation to season and soil depth across the three forest types whereas the direction and magnitude of the habitat (tree cover) effect was site-dependent, possibly related to the differences in tree species composition and forest structure, and thus in the quality and distribution of the litter input.     

Microbial diversity of topographical gradient profiles in Fushan forest soils of Taiwan

To evaluate the microbial diversity of Fushan forest soils, the variation of soil properties, microbial populations, and soil DNA with soil depth in three sites of different altitude were analyzed. Microbial population, moisture content, total organic carbon (C_org), and total nitrogen (N_tot) decreased with increasing soil depth. The valley site had the lowest microbial populations among the three tested sites due to the low organic matter content. Bacterial population was the highest among the microbial populations. The ratios of cellulolytic microbes to the total bacteria in organic layers were high, implying their roles in the carbon cycle. The microbial biomass carbon (C_mic) and nitrogen (N_mic) contents ranged from 130.5 to 564.1 μg g⁻¹ and from 16.7 to 95.4 μg g⁻¹, respectively. The valley had the lowest C_mic and N_mic. The organic layer had the highest C_mic and N_mic and decreased with soil depth. Analysis using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplicons of 16S rDNA showed that the bacterial diversity of the three sites were very similar to each other in the major bands, and the variation was in the minor bands. However, the patterns in PCR-DGGE profile through gradient horizons were different, indicating the prevalence of specific microbes at different horizons. These results suggest that the microbial diversity in the deeper horizons is not simply the diluted analogs of the surface soils and that some microbes dominate only in the deeper horizons. Topography influenced the quantity and diversity of microbial populations.     

浙江慈溪旱作农田土壤微生物学性状的时空演变特征

测定了浙江慈溪5个不同利用年限旱作农田土壤（50～700 a）的微生物数量、生物量和酶活性,比较分析了农田土壤微生物学质量与利用年限的相关性,并测定了50 a、100 a和700 a 3个旱作土壤的微生物功能多样性.结果发现：农田土壤在旱作初期（<100 a）,除真菌数量（F）略有上升外,细菌数量（B）、B/F值、微生物生物量C、N及过氧化氢酶、转化酶、脲酶活性全部锐减;耕作100 a之后,仅真菌数量随年限延长而显著降低,细菌数量、B/F值、微生物生物量C、N及过氧化氢酶、转化酶、脲酶活性则全部升高;在50～700 a的整个旱作过程中,土壤微生物生物量C/N值始终随年限延长而显著升高.BIOLOG检测结果显示,旱作农田土壤微生物群落的Shannon、Simpson和McIntosh 3种功能多样性指数在利用年限上的变化规律与细菌数量、微生物生物量及酶活性等完全一致.表明浙江慈溪旱作农田土壤微生物群落结构一直随利用年限的延长而变化,且土壤微生物学质量总体在持续利用100 a左右止降回升.     

Differences of Soil Microbial Biomass and Nitrogen Transformation under Two Forest Types in Central Germany

In order to observe the tree species effect on soil N status, soil microbial biomass C and N (C_mic, N_mic), potential N mineralization and potential nitrification (under laboratory incubation conditions, 22 °C) in different subhorizons (LOf₁, Of₂, Oh and mineral soil at 0–10 cm depth) were determined at three forest sites in central Germany. At each site, two contrasting stands (Beech, Norway spruce or Scots pine) were selected, where the initial soil conditions were similar. Three sampling dates that represented different stages of tree growth were selected: growing season - August, dormant season - November, after budbreak – April. In organic layers, C_mic-to-total C (C_t) ratios under beech and under conifer were 0.72–4.74% and 0.34–2.11%, respectively. N_mic-to-total N (N_t) ratios were 2.47–11.61% and 0.71–5.77%, respectively. Both concentrations of C_mic and N_mic were significantly affected by the stand type and sampling time. Potential N mineralization rates, ranging from 3.7 to 19.7 mg N kg⁻¹ d⁻¹, showed no clear pattern in relation to stand type. However, potential nitrification rates were mostly significantly higher under beech than under contrasting conifer. In mineral soils, concentrations of C_mic and N_mic showed a clear temporal pattern in the order: August>November>April. The average N_mic and N_mic-to-N_t were higher in soils from beech than conifer, while C_mic and C_mic-to-C_t ratios were similar between the two forest types. In organic layers, the highest values of C_mic-to-N_mic ratio and C_mic were found in November samples, especially under beech. By contrast, in mineral soils the highest value of C_mic-to-N_mic ratios were found in April samples, and at that time the C_mic concentrations were the lowest, especially under conifer. These results revealed the differences in microbial growth form and survival strategy associated with different tree species and soil layers.     

Soil Amendment with <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudomonas fluorescens</Emphasis> CHA0: Lasting Effects on Soil Biological Properties in Soils Low in Microbial Biomass and Activity

Pseudomonas fluorescens strains are used in agriculture as plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR). Nontarget effects of released organisms should be analyzed prior to their large-scale use, and methods should be available to sensitively detect possible changes in the environments the organism is released to. According to ecological theory, microbial communities with a greater diversity should be less susceptible to disturbance by invading organisms. Based on this principle, we laid out a pot experiment with field-derived soils different in their microbial biomass and activity due to long-term management on similar parent geological material (loess). We investigated the survival of P. fluorescens CHA0 that carried a resistance toward rifampicine and the duration of potential changes of the soil microflora caused by the inoculation with the bacterium at the sowing date of spring wheat. Soil microbial biomass (C _mic, N _mic) basal soil respiration (BR), qCO₂, dehydrogenase activity (DHA), bacterial plate counts, mycorrhiza root colonization, and community level substrate utilization were analyzed after 18 and 60 days. At the initial stage, soils were clearly different with respect to most of the parameters measured, and a time-dependent effect between the first and the second set point were attributable to wheat growth and the influence of roots. The effect of the inoculum was small and merely transient, though significant long-term changes were found in soils with a relatively low level of microbial biomass. Community level substrate utilization as an indicator of changes in microbial community structure was mainly changed by the growth of wheat, while other experimental factors were negligible. The sensitivity of the applied methods to distinguish the experimental soils was in decreasing order N _mic, DHA, C _mic, and qCO₂. Besides the selective enumeration of P. fluorescens CHA0 rif⁺, which was only found in amended soils, methods to distinguish the inoculum effect were DHA, C _mic, and the ratio of C _mic to N _mic. The sampling time was most sensitively indicated by N _mic, DHA, C _mic, and qCO₂. Our data support the hypothesis—based on ecosystem theory—that a rich microflora is buffering changes due to invading species. In other words, a soil-derived bacterium was more effective in a relatively poor soil than in soils that are rich in microorganisms.