The dynamics of microflora and the occurrence of phytotoxic substances in different soils with corn residues and inorganic nitrogen

Abstract

In an incubation experiment the development dynamics of bacterial and fungal communities as well as the level of phytotoxicity were analysed in sand and three soils differing in mechanical structure and amended with corn residues and mineral nitrogen. Bacterial biomass was positively correlated with the degree of dispersion of the solid phase of the soil, whereas the ratio of fungal to bacterial biomass (F:B) was found to be negatively correlated. Fungi were much more tolerant to carbon or nitrogen deficit than bacteria. Introduction of the plant material alone, characterized by a broad carbon to nitrogen ratio, led to the domination of fungi in microbial communities. The level of soil phytotoxicity built up with increasing level of crop residues. Phytotoxicity was observed for the longest time period in soil with the highest silt and clay content. The narrowing of the C:N ratio at introduction of the appropriate amount of mineral nitrogen (larger in heavier soils) resulted in accelerated disappearance of phytotoxicity and at the same time favoured bacterial development. This points to a significant participation of bacteria in the degradation of phytotoxic substances in the soil.