Litter quality as driving factor for plant nutrition via grazing of protozoa on soil microorganisms
2013 | journal article. A publication with affiliation to the University of Göttingen.
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Litter quality as driving factor for plant nutrition via grazing of protozoa on soil microorganisms
Koller, R.; Robin, C.; Bonkowski, M.; Ruess, L. & Scheu, S. (2013)
FEMS Microbiology Ecology, 85(2) pp. 241-250. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/1574-6941.12113
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- Authors
- Koller, Robert; Robin, Christophe; Bonkowski, Michael; Ruess, Liliane; Scheu, Stefan
- Abstract
- Plant residues provide a major source of nitrogen (N) for plant growth. Litter N mineralization varies with litter carbon-to-nitrogen (C-to-N) ratio and presence of bacterial-feeding fauna. We assessed the effect of amoebae, major bacterial feeders in soil, on mineralization of litter of low (high quality) and high C-to-N ratio (low quality) and evaluated consequences for plant growth. We used stable isotopes to determine plant N uptake from litter and plant C partitioning. Stable isotope probing of phospholipid fatty acids was used to follow incorporation of plant C into microorganisms. Amoebae increased plant N uptake independent of litter quality and thereby the biomass of shoots and roots by 33% and 66%, respectively. Plant allocation of total C-13 to roots in low (42%) exceeded that of high-quality litter treatments (26%). Amoebae increased plant allocation of C-13 to roots by 37%. Microbial community structure and incorporation of C-13 into PLFAs varied significantly with litter quality and in the low-quality litter treatment also with the presence of amoebae. Overall, the results suggest that in particular at low nutrient conditions, root-derived C fosters the mobilization of bacterial N by protozoa, thereby increasing plant growth when microorganisms and plants compete for nutrients.
- Issue Date
- 2013
- Status
- published
- Publisher
- Wiley-blackwell
- Journal
- FEMS Microbiology Ecology
- ISSN
- 1574-6941; 0168-6496