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Influence of diterpenes (colophony and abietic acid) and a triterpene (beta-sitosterol) on net N mineralization, net nitrification, soil respiration, and microbial biomass in birch soil

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Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of common diterpenes (colophony, abietic acid) and triterpene (beta-sitosterol) on carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) transformations in soil under birch (Betula pendula L.). Samples were taken from the organic layer at two study sites, Kivalo (N-poor soil) and Kerimäki (N-rich soil), and incubated with the above-mentioned terpenes in laboratory conditions. Carbon dioxide evolution (C mineralization), net N mineralization, nitrification, and N and C in microbial biomass were measured. All these terpenes increased C mineralization, but decreased net N mineralization. The potential to decrease net N mineralization depended on amount of terpenes, with a stronger effect at a higher amount. Net nitrification in Kerimäki soil (N-rich soil) decreased but was not completely inhibited by terpenes. Effect of terpenes on soil microbial biomass C and N was not so clear, but they tended to increase both. Our study suggests that higher terpenes can act as a carbon source for soil microbial communities.

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Acknowledgements

We are grateful to Dr. Joann von Weissenberg for checking the English language. In addition, we thank Anneli Rautiainen, Pauli Karppinen, and Petri Kilpeläinen for their laboratory work. Helpful comments and suggestions from Professor Paolo Nannipieri and two anonymous reviewers are also acknowledged. This study was funded by the Mai and Tor Nessling Foundation and the Academy of Finland.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Vantaa Research Unit, Finnish Forest Research Institute, P.O. Box 18, 01301, Vantaa, Finland

    Sylwia Adamczyk, Bartosz Adamczyk, Veikko Kitunen & Aino Smolander

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  1. Sylwia Adamczyk
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  2. Bartosz Adamczyk
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  3. Veikko Kitunen
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  4. Aino Smolander
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Correspondence to Sylwia Adamczyk.

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Adamczyk, S., Adamczyk, B., Kitunen, V. et al. Influence of diterpenes (colophony and abietic acid) and a triterpene (beta-sitosterol) on net N mineralization, net nitrification, soil respiration, and microbial biomass in birch soil. Biol Fertil Soils 47, 715–720 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00374-010-0529-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00374-010-0529-x

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