Relations of shoot C, root C and root length with root-released C of two barley cultivars and the decomposition of root-released C in soil

The production and utilization of root-derived C is fundamental to the functioning of ecosystems. The objectives of this experiment were to quantify the amount of root-released C produced by two barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) cultivars, to evaluate the direct and indirect effects of shoot C, root C and root length on the root-released C and to quantify the kinetics of the decomposition of root-released C in soil for two barley cultivars. Seedlings of two barley cultivars, Abee and Samson, were cultured in nutrient solution for 20 d and then pulse-labelled with 14C for 5 d. Samson released more C than Abee during the entire experimental period. Root length had the greatest direct effect on root-released C for the two barley cultivars. Kinetics analysis of the decomposition of root-released C added to soil showed that the labile components of the added material was 87.3% for Abee and 74.4% for Samson with half-lives of 4.3 d and 4.5 d, respectively. The half-lives of the resistant components of the root-released C added to soil and microbially-derived material were 37.7 d for Abee and 29.6 d for Samson, respectively. The amount of root-released C and its decomposition rate in soil varied with cultivars used. Key words: Root-released C, path analysis, direct effect, indirect effect, 14C, decomposition, Typic Cryoboroll

Simulation of protozoa-induced mineralization of bacterial carbon and nitrogen

Modelling in soil ecological research is a means of linking the dynamics of microbial and faunal populations to soil processes. The objectives of this study were (i) to simulate bacterial-protozoan interactions and flows of C and N in clay loam Orthic Black Chernozemic soil under laboratory condtions; and (ii) to quantify the flux of C and N (inputs and outputs) through various pools using the simulation model. The unique features of this model are: (i) it combines the food chain with specific soil C and N pools, and (ii) it simultaneously traces the flows of C, 14C, N and 15N. It was possible to produce a model that fitted the data observed for the soil. The simulated CO2-C evolved during the first 12 d was due mainly to glucose addition (171 μg C g−1 soil) and cycling of C in the soil (160 μg C g−1 soil). During this interval, bacterial C uptake was 5.5-fold greater than the initial bacterial C pool size. In the first 12 d protozoa directly increased total CO2-C evolution by 11% and increased NH4-N mineralization 3-fold, compared to soil containing only bacteria. Mineralization of C and N was rapid when bacterial numbers were increased as a result of glucose addition. Key words: Acanthamoeba sp., modelling, N mineralization-immobilization, organic matter, Pseudomonas sp., Typic Cryoboroll

Influence of soil texture on protozoa-induced mineralization of bacterial carbon and nitrogen

Texture affects pore space, bacterial and protozoan populations and their activity in soil. The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that protozoa grazing on bacteria increase the mineralization of bacterial C and N more in coarse-textured soils than in fine-textured soils. The microcosm experiment consisted of samples from three sterilized Orthic Black Chernozemic soils (SiC, CL and SL) inoculated with Pseudomonos bacteria, two treatments (with and without protozoa), and five sampling dates. The Pseudomonas population was labelled in situ by adding glucose- 14C and KNO3-15N (day 0). A species of Acanthamoeba was added to the microcosms on Day 2. On Day 4 bacterial numbers in all three soils were approximately 3 × 109 g−1 soil. The greatest reduction of bacteria due to protozoan grazing occurred between day 4 and day 7. All soils showed increased CO2-14C evolution and NH4-15N mineralization due to protozoan grazing but the mineralization rate of labelled N in the SL soil was much greater than in the fine-textured soils. The effect of texture on protozoan grazing was not as marked between day 12 and day 37 as earlier in the incubation. Protozoan-induced effects were transient in the soils studied and were most apparent in the coarse-textured soil. Key words: 14C, 15N, N mineralization-immobilization, bacteria, organic matter, Typic Cryoboroll, porosity, protozoa