In:
Journal of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science, Wiley, Vol. 173, No. 6 ( 2010-12), p. 861-868
Abstract:
This study was conducted to improve our understanding of how earthworms and microorganisms interact in the decomposition of litter of low quality (high C : N ratio) grown under elevated atmospheric [CO 2 ]. A microcosm approach was used to investigate the influence of endogeic earthworm ( Aporrectodea caliginosa Savigny) activity on the decomposition of senescent Charlock mustard ( Sinapis arvensis L.) litter produced under ambient and elevated [CO 2 ]. Earthworms and microorganisms were exposed to litter which had changed in quality (C : N ratio) while growing under elevated [CO 2 ]. After 50 d of incubation in microcosms, C mineralization (CO 2 production) in the treatment with elevated‐[CO 2 ] litter was significantly lower in comparison to the ambient‐[CO 2 ] litter treatment. The input of Charlock mustard litter into the soil generally induced N immobilization and reduced N 2 O‐emission rates from soil. Earthworm activity enhanced CO 2 production, but there was no relationship to litter quality. Although earthworm biomass was not affected by the lower quality of the elevated‐[CO 2 ] litter, soil microbial biomass (C mic , N mic ) was significantly decreased. Earthworms reduced C mic and fungal biomass, the latter only in treatments without litter. Our study clearly showed that A. caliginosa used the litter grown under different [CO 2 ] independent of its quality and that their effect on the litter‐decomposition process was also independent of litter quality. Soil microorganisms were shown to negatively react to small changes in Charlock mustard litter quality; therefore we expect that microbially mediated C and N cycling may change under future atmospheric [CO 2 ].
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
1436-8730
,
1522-2624
DOI:
10.1002/jpln.201000092
Language:
English
Publisher:
Wiley
Publication Date:
2010
detail.hit.zdb_id:
1481142-X
detail.hit.zdb_id:
1470765-2
SSG:
12
SSG:
13
