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Changes in microbial community structure in soil as a result of different amounts of nitrogen fertilization

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Abstract

The changes in size, activity and structure of soil microbial community caused by N fertilization were studied in a laboratory incubation experiment. The rates of N fertiliser applied (KNO3) were 0 (control), 100 and 2,000 μg N g−1 soil. Despite no extra C sources added, a high percentage of N was immobilized. Whereas no significant increase of microbial C was revealed during incubation period, microbial growth kinetics as determined by the substrate-induced growth-response method demonstrated a significant decrease in the specific growth rate of microbial community in soil treated with 2,000 μg N g−1 soil. Additionally, a shift in microbial community structure resulting in an increase in fungal biomarkers, mainly in the treatment with 2,000 μg N g−1 soil was visible.

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Acknowledgements

This research was supported by Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, Russian Foundation for Basic Researches, and Russian Academy of Sciences.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Physico-Chemical and Biological Problems in Soil Science, Pushchino, Moscow Region, 142290, Russia

    Ilya Yevdokimov

  2. Geohumus International GmbH & Co., KG Vilbeler Landstrasse 17–19, 60386, Frankfurt, Germany

    Andreas Gattinger

  3. Helmholtz Zentrum München, Institute of Soil Ecology, Ingolstaedter Landstr 1, 85764, Neuherberg, Germany

    Franz Buegger, Jean Charles Munch & Michael Schloter

  4. German Research Center for Environmental Health, Institute of Soil Ecology, Ingolstaedter Landstr 1, 85764, Neuherberg, Germany

    Franz Buegger, Jean Charles Munch & Michael Schloter

Authors
  1. Ilya Yevdokimov
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  2. Andreas Gattinger
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  3. Franz Buegger
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  4. Jean Charles Munch
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  5. Michael Schloter
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Correspondence to Ilya Yevdokimov.

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Yevdokimov, I., Gattinger, A., Buegger, F. et al. Changes in microbial community structure in soil as a result of different amounts of nitrogen fertilization. Biol Fertil Soils 44, 1103–1106 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00374-008-0315-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00374-008-0315-1

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