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Effects of plant species on microbial biomass phosphorus and phosphatase activity in a range of grassland soils

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Abstract

Soil P transformations are primarily mediated by plant root and soil microbial activity. A short-term (40 weeks) glasshouse experiment with 15 grassland soils collected from around New Zealand was conducted to examine the impacts of ryegrass (Lolium perenne) and radiata pine (Pinus radiata) on soil microbial properties and microbiological processes involved in P dynamics. Results showed that the effect of plant species on soil microbial parameters varied greatly with soil type. Concentrations of microbial biomass C and soil respiration were significantly greater in six out of 15 soils under radiata pine compared with ryegrass, while there were no significant effects of plant species on these parameters in the remaining soils. However, microbial biomass P (MBP) was significantly lower in six soils under radiata pine, while there were no significant effects of plant species on MBP in the remaining soils. The latter indicated that P was released from the microbial biomass in response to greater P demand by radiata pine. Levels of water soluble organic C were significantly greater in most soils under radiata pine, compared with ryegrass, which suggested that greater root exudation might have occurred under radiata pine. Activities of acid and alkaline phosphatase and phosphodiesterase were generally lower in most soils under radiata pine, compared with ryegrass. The findings of this study indicate that root exudation plays an important role in increased soil microbial activities, solubility of organic P and mineralization of organic P in soils under radiata pine.

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Acknowledgments

Funding for this study was provided by the New Zealand Forest Research Institute and Lincoln University. The authors would like to thank Dr Colin Gray, Dr Ed Gregorich, Frank O’Meara, Roger McLenaghen, Sjef Lamers and Wim Rijkse for their invaluable assistance with collection of the various soil samples.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Co-operative Research Centre for Sustainable Production Forestry, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Griffith University, Nathan, Qld, 4111, Australia

    C. R. Chen

  2. Agriculture and Life Sciences, Lincoln University, Canterbury, P.O. Box 84, 8150, New Zealand

    C. R. Chen, L. M. Condron & R. R. Sherlock

  3. New Zealand Forest Research Institute, P.O. Box 29237, Fendalton, Christchurch, New Zealand

    M. R. Davis

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  1. C. R. Chen
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  2. L. M. Condron
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Correspondence to C. R. Chen.

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Chen, C.R., Condron, L.M., Davis, M.R. et al. Effects of plant species on microbial biomass phosphorus and phosphatase activity in a range of grassland soils. Biol Fertil Soils 40, 313–322 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00374-004-0781-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00374-004-0781-z

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