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Root and microbial biomass dynamics under the canopy of the desert shrub Zygophyllum dumosum

Oecologia volume 80, pages 498–500 (1989)Cite this article

Summary

A study was done to evaluate the influence of soil moisture and rainfall on root and microbial biomass production under the canopy of the desert shrub Zygophyllum dumosum. During the study period the root biomass production increased following the early rains but subsequently declined, remaining fairly constant thoroughout the season. In contrast microbial biomass and soil organic matter increased during the rainy season and declined with the onset of the dry summer period. Based on our results we suggest that the moisture event and not the amount and the organic matter content regulate root and microbial biomass production at the 0 to 10 cm soil layer.

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Affiliations

  1. Institute of Soils and Water, The Volcani Center, A.R.O., 50250, Bet Dagan, Israel

    R. S. Kinsbursky

  2. Department of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, 52100, Ramat-Gan, Israel

    Y. Steinberger

Authors
  1. R. S. Kinsbursky
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  2. Y. Steinberger
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Additional information

Contribution of the Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Center, Bet Dagan, Israel. paper no. 2617-E, 1989 series

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Kinsbursky, R.S., Steinberger, Y. Root and microbial biomass dynamics under the canopy of the desert shrub Zygophyllum dumosum . Oecologia 80, 498–500 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00380072

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00380072

Key words

  • Desert
  • Root biomass
  • Microbial biomass
  • Soil
  • Zygophyllum dumosum