Salinity affects the response of soil microbial activity and biomass to addition of carbon and nitrogen
Manpreet S. Mavi A B C and Petra Marschner A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, Waite Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia.
B Department of Soil Science, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana – 141 004, Punjab, India.
C Corresponding author. Email: mavims16@gmail.com
Soil Research 51(1) 68-75 https://doi.org/10.1071/SR12191
Submitted: 19 July 2012 Accepted: 12 February 2013 Published: 21 March 2013
Abstract
Addition of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) to soil can enhance microbial tolerance to salinity, but it is not known if salinity changes the response of microbial activity and biomass to addition of C and N, or how nutrient addition affects microbial tolerance to salinity. We prepared salinity treatments of non-saline soil [electrical conductivity (EC1 : 5) 0.1 dS m–1] without salt addition or adjusted to four salinity levels (2.5, 5.0, 7.5, 10 dS m–1) using a combination of CaCl2 and NaCl. The soils were amended with 2.5 mg C g–1 as glucose or as mature wheat straw (C/N ratio 47 : 1), with NH4Cl added to glucose to achieve a C/N ratio similar to that of wheat straw, or with NH4Cl added to glucose or wheat straw to achieve a C/N ratio of 20. Soil respiration was measured over 30 days. Microbial biomass C and N (MBC, MBN), dissolved organic C (DOC), and total dissolved N (TDN) were measured on day 30. Cumulative respiration and MBC concentration decreased with increasing EC, less so with glucose than with wheat straw. The MBC concentration was more sensitive to EC than was cumulative respiration, irrespective of C source. Addition of N to glucose and wheat straw to bring the C/N ratio to 20 significantly decreased cumulative respiration and MBC concentration at a given EC. This study showed that in the short term, addition of a readily available and easily decomposable source of energy improves the ability of microbes to tolerate salinity. The results also suggest that in saline soils, irrespective of the C substrate, N addition has no impact, or a negative impact, on microbial activity and growth.
Additional keywords: dissolved organic C, microbial activity, microbial biomass, salinity, total dissolved N.
References
Ågren G, Bosatta E, Magill AH (2001) Combining theory and experiment to understand effects of inorganic nitrogen on litter decomposition. Oecologia 128, 94–98.| Combining theory and experiment to understand effects of inorganic nitrogen on litter decomposition.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Allison FE, Klein CJ (1962) Rates of immobilization and release of nitrogen following additions of carbonaceous materials and nitrogen to soils. Soil Science 93, 383–386.
| Rates of immobilization and release of nitrogen following additions of carbonaceous materials and nitrogen to soils.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaF3sXkvVGlsrg%3D&md5=62f9fced08109b96bf3b98551007403cCAS |
Anderson JPE, Domsch KH (1978) A physiological method for the quantitative measurement of microbial biomass in soils. Soil Biology & Biochemistry 10, 215–221.
| A physiological method for the quantitative measurement of microbial biomass in soils.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaE1cXlsVGlsLw%3D&md5=de5bc3f6c4f079368db4c71ac3a50c98CAS |
Asmalodhi MA, Azam F, Sajjad MH (2009) Changes in mineral and mineralizable N of soil incubated at varying salinity, moisture, and temperature regimes. Pakistan Journal of Botany 41, 967–980.
Baumann K, Marschner P, Smernik RJ, Baldock JA (2009) Residue chemistry and microbial community structure during decomposition of eucalypt, wheat and vetch residues. Soil Biology & Biochemistry 41, 1966–1975.
| Residue chemistry and microbial community structure during decomposition of eucalypt, wheat and vetch residues.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1MXhtVenu7zK&md5=3c5f7d2d428abee4d5cc14285f60312bCAS |
Blake GR (1965) Bulk density. In ‘Methods of soil analysis. Part 1. Physical and mineralogical properties’. (Eds CA Black, DD Evans, LE Ensminger, JL White, FE Clark) pp. 374–390. (American Society of Agronomy: Madison, WI)
Bouyoucos G (1936) Directions for making mechanical analyses of soils by the hydrometer method. Soil Science 42, 225–230.
| Directions for making mechanical analyses of soils by the hydrometer method.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaA28XmtlGrtQ%3D%3D&md5=049ff951fb5eca9c8273abfd13450b33CAS |
Bowden RD, Davidson E, Savage K, Arabia C, Steudler P (2004) Chronic nitrogen additions reduce total soil respiration and microbial respiration in temperate forest soils at the Harvard Forest. Forest Ecology and Management 196, 43–56.
| Chronic nitrogen additions reduce total soil respiration and microbial respiration in temperate forest soils at the Harvard Forest.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Carreiro MM, Sinsabaugh RL, Repert DA, Parkhurst DF (2000) Microbial enzyme shifts explain litter decay responses to simulated nitrogen deposition. Ecology 81, 2359–2365.
| Microbial enzyme shifts explain litter decay responses to simulated nitrogen deposition.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Chantigny MH, Angers DA, Prevost D, Simard RR, Chalifour FP (1999) Dynamics of soluble organic C and C mineralization in cultivated soils with varying N fertilization. Soil Biology & Biochemistry 31, 543–550.
| Dynamics of soluble organic C and C mineralization in cultivated soils with varying N fertilization.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK1MXitlahsrY%3D&md5=72bd1ffc19c3109aa327c13687d34345CAS |
Chowdhury N, Marschner P, Burns RG (2011) Soil microbial activity and community composition: Impact of changes in matric and osmotic potential. Soil Biology & Biochemistry 43, 1229–1236.
| Soil microbial activity and community composition: Impact of changes in matric and osmotic potential.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3MXkvFagtLs%3D&md5=8b724d37e8ebb33fb560884d676bb2efCAS |
Conde E, Cardenas M, Ponce-Mendoza A, Luna-Guido ML, Cruz-Mondragon C, Dendooven L (2005) The impacts of inorganic nitrogen application on mineralization of 14C-labelled maize and glucose, and on priming effect in saline alkaline soil. Soil Biology & Biochemistry 37, 681–691.
| The impacts of inorganic nitrogen application on mineralization of 14C-labelled maize and glucose, and on priming effect in saline alkaline soil.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2MXmvFyhtw%3D%3D&md5=05a2802313a7a677066f373514ea7a3eCAS |
Craine JM, Morrow C, Fierer N (2007) Microbial nitrogen limitation increases decomposition. Ecology 88, 2105–2113.
| Microbial nitrogen limitation increases decomposition.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
FAO/AGL (2000) Extent and causes of salt-affected soils in participating countries. FAO/AGL Global Network on Integrated Soil Management for Sustainable Use of Salt-affected Lands.
Fog K (1988) The effect of added nitrogen on the rate of decomposition of organic matter. Biological Reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society 63, 433–462.
| The effect of added nitrogen on the rate of decomposition of organic matter.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Frankenberger WT, Bingham FT (1982) Influence of salinity on soil enzymes activities. Soil Science Society of America Journal 46, 1173–1177.
| Influence of salinity on soil enzymes activities.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaL3sXovVWnsA%3D%3D&md5=132d2f8b2093d329ca3fd548a9c0111cCAS |
Garcia C, Hernandez T, Roldan A, Albaladejo J, Castillo V (2000) Organic amendment and mycorrhizal inoculation as a practice in afforestation of soils with Pinus halepensis Miller: effect on their microbial activity. Soil Biology & Biochemistry 32, 1173–1181.
| Organic amendment and mycorrhizal inoculation as a practice in afforestation of soils with Pinus halepensis Miller: effect on their microbial activity.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3cXlslyhsro%3D&md5=19ba76d40a8082c7deccd4d862c2b847CAS |
Hagemann M (2011) Molecular biology of cyanobacterial salt acclimation. FEMS Microbiology Reviews 35, 87–123.
| Molecular biology of cyanobacterial salt acclimation.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3MXis1Snsg%3D%3D&md5=9f678d7426472147acf21c2985c2a113CAS |
Harris RF (1980) Effect of water potential on microbial growth and activity. In ‘Water potential relations in soil microbiology’. Special edn #9. (Eds JF Parr, WR Gardner) pp. 23–95. (Soil Science Society of America: Madison, WI)
Henriksen TM, Breland TA (1999) Nitrogen availability effects on carbon mineralization, fungal and bacterial growth, and enzyme activities during decomposition of wheat straw in soil. Soil Biology & Biochemistry 31, 1121–1134.
| Nitrogen availability effects on carbon mineralization, fungal and bacterial growth, and enzyme activities during decomposition of wheat straw in soil.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK1MXjvVKgsr0%3D&md5=93732064ae035053e7f0e8d9d61e5069CAS |
Hobbie SE, Vitousek PM (2000) Nutrient limitation of decomposition in Hawaiian forests. Ecology 81, 1867–1877.
| Nutrient limitation of decomposition in Hawaiian forests.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hopkins DW, Sparrow AD, Shillam LL, English LC, Dennis PG, Novis P, Elberling B, Gregorich EG, Greenfield LG (2008) Enzymatic activities and microbial communities in an Antarctic dry valley soil: Responses to C and N supplementation. Soil Biology & Biochemistry 40, 2130–2136.
| Enzymatic activities and microbial communities in an Antarctic dry valley soil: Responses to C and N supplementation.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1cXhtVSjtrvJ&md5=787a9409df6c61ff01817e37ef7977f9CAS |
Janssens IA, Dieleman W, Luyssaert S, Subke JA, Reichstein M, Ceulemans R, Ciais P, Dolman AJ, Grace J, Matteucci G, Papale D, Piao SL, Schulze ED, Tang J, Law BE (2010) Reduction of forest soil respiration in response to nitrogen deposition. Nature Geoscience 3, 315–322.
| Reduction of forest soil respiration in response to nitrogen deposition.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3cXlsFSksLg%3D&md5=df96de13e71e64844f089a6cb37cb7ebCAS |
Keren R (2000) Salinity. In ‘Handbook of soil science’. (Ed. ME Sumner) pp. 3–25. (CRC Press: Boca Raton, FL)
Kowalenko CG, Ivarson KC, Cameron DR (1978) Effect of moisture content, temperature and nitrogen fertilization on carbon dioxide evolution from field soils. Soil Biology & Biochemistry 10, 417–423.
| Effect of moisture content, temperature and nitrogen fertilization on carbon dioxide evolution from field soils.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaE1MXosFyjtg%3D%3D&md5=9c2f5c164dcdcd591a54b3a43062019bCAS |
Mamilov A, Dilly OM, Mamilov S, Inubushi K (2004) Microbial eco-physiology of degrading aral sea wetlands: Consequences for C-cycling. Soil Science and Plant Nutrition 50, 839–842.
| Microbial eco-physiology of degrading aral sea wetlands: Consequences for C-cycling.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Mavi MS, Marschner P (2012) Drying and wetting in saline and saline-sodic soils—effects on microbial activity, biomass and dissolved organic carbon. Plant and Soil 355, 51–62.
| Drying and wetting in saline and saline-sodic soils—effects on microbial activity, biomass and dissolved organic carbon.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC38Xns1eksL4%3D&md5=ca7f8c7c3ddc7d81e8be030f682bf57aCAS |
Mavi MS, Marschner P, Chittleborough DJ, Cox JW, Sanderman J (2012a) Salinity and sodicity affect soil respiration and dissolved organic matter dynamics differentially in soils varying in texture. Soil Biology & Biochemistry 45, 8–13.
| Salinity and sodicity affect soil respiration and dissolved organic matter dynamics differentially in soils varying in texture.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3MXhs1CrtLnJ&md5=692656ef6b8a28d474c1fd5ae1bce53cCAS |
Nelson PN, Ladd JN, Oades JM (1996) Decomposition of 14C-labelled plant material in a salt-affected soil. Soil Biology & Biochemistry 28, 433–441.
| Decomposition of 14C-labelled plant material in a salt-affected soil.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK28XjvF2isLk%3D&md5=c88a1eeda42ad38e8db995f6e1797244CAS |
Nohrstedt HO, Arnebrant K, Baath E, Soderstrom B (1989) Changes in carbon content, respiration rate, ATP content and micobial biomass in nitrogen fertilized pine forest soils in Sweden. Canadian Journal of Forest Research 19, 323–328.
| Changes in carbon content, respiration rate, ATP content and micobial biomass in nitrogen fertilized pine forest soils in Sweden.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Oren A (1999) Bioenergetic aspects of halophilism. Microbiology and Molecular Biology Reviews 63, 334–348.
Pankhurst CE, Yu S, Hawke BG, Harch BD (2001) Capacity of fatty acid profiles and substrate utilization patterns to describe differences in soil microbial communities associated with increased salinity or alkalinity at three locations in South Australia. Biology and Fertility of Soils 33, 204–217.
| Capacity of fatty acid profiles and substrate utilization patterns to describe differences in soil microbial communities associated with increased salinity or alkalinity at three locations in South Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3MXhsFOgur8%3D&md5=e9627dfb035472b2a916cbcdfbab57b3CAS |
Pannell DJ, Ewing MA (2006) Managing secondary dryland salinity: Options and challenges. Agricultural Water Management 80, 41–56.
| Managing secondary dryland salinity: Options and challenges.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Pathak H, Rao DLN (1998) Carbon and nitrogen mineralization from added organic matter in saline and alkali soils. Soil Biology & Biochemistry 30, 695–702.
| Carbon and nitrogen mineralization from added organic matter in saline and alkali soils.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK1cXjsFygs7c%3D&md5=3fd68d643332b181a8e78378895d0e4aCAS |
Prescott CE (1995) Does nitrogen availability control rates of litter decomposition in forests. Plant and Soil 168–169, 83–88.
| Does nitrogen availability control rates of litter decomposition in forests.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Ramirez KS, Craine JM, Fierer N (2010) Nitrogen fertilization inhibits soil microbial respiration regardless of the form of nitrogen applied. Soil Biology & Biochemistry 42, 2336–2338.
| Nitrogen fertilization inhibits soil microbial respiration regardless of the form of nitrogen applied.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3cXhtlCjsb7J&md5=388e0281d14016e42700069a14222c5cCAS |
Recous S, Robin D, Darwis D, Mary B (1995) Soil inorganic N availability: Effect on maize residue decomposition. Soil Biology & Biochemistry 27, 1529–1538.
| Soil inorganic N availability: Effect on maize residue decomposition.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK2MXhtVSntrbO&md5=7fe31fef73dcf0737e9becf38ea13f71CAS |
Rengasamy P (2006) World salinization with emphasis on Australia. Journal of Experimental Botany 57, 1017–1023.
| World salinization with emphasis on Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD28Xis1Gls74%3D&md5=8e9d792e13081ff78179def52f9623cfCAS |
Rietz DN, Haynes RJ (2003) Effects of irrigation-induced salinity and sodicity on soil microbial activity. Soil Biology & Biochemistry 35, 845–854.
| Effects of irrigation-induced salinity and sodicity on soil microbial activity.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3sXktFCqtrs%3D&md5=19c70be649ed8fbea0bbe9525faabfb1CAS |
Sall SN, Masse D, Bernhard-Reversat F, Guisse A, Chotte JL (2003) Microbial activities during the early stage of laboratory decomposition of tropical leaf litters: the effect of interactions between litter quality and exogenous inorganic nitrogen. Biology and Fertility of Soils 39, 103–111.
| Microbial activities during the early stage of laboratory decomposition of tropical leaf litters: the effect of interactions between litter quality and exogenous inorganic nitrogen.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3sXps1yhtL8%3D&md5=46e8f2ee1b5c52a3813c1af583721a43CAS |
Söderström B, Baath E, Lundgren B (1983) Decrease in soil microbial activity and biomass owing to nitrogen amendments. Canadian Journal of Microbiology 29, 1500–1506.
| Decrease in soil microbial activity and biomass owing to nitrogen amendments.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Subbiah BV, Asija GL (1956) A rapid procedure for the estimation of available nitrogen in soils. Current Science 25, 259–260.
Thuriès L, Pansu M, Larre-Larrouy MC, Feller C (2002) Biochemical composition and mineralization kinetics of organic inputs in a sandy soil. Soil Biology & Biochemistry 34, 239–250.
| Biochemical composition and mineralization kinetics of organic inputs in a sandy soil.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Treseder KK (2008) Nitrogen additions and microbial biomass: a meta-analysis of ecosystem studies. Ecology Letters 11, 1111–1120.
| Nitrogen additions and microbial biomass: a meta-analysis of ecosystem studies.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Tripathi S, Kumari S, Chakraborty A, Gupta A, Chakrabarti K, Bandyapadhyay BK (2006) Microbial biomass and its activities in salt-affected coastal soils. Biology and Fertility of Soils 42, 273–277.
| Microbial biomass and its activities in salt-affected coastal soils.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Vance ED, Brookes PC, Jenkinson DS (1987) An extraction method for measuring soil microbial biomass-C. Soil Biology & Biochemistry 19, 703–707.
| An extraction method for measuring soil microbial biomass-C.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaL1cXjs1KqsA%3D%3D&md5=744b63f3d4f9c062abfa4faa04452309CAS |
Vanlauwe B, Dendooven L, Merckx R (1994) Residue fractionation and decomposition - The significance of active fraction. Plant and Soil 158, 263–274.
| Residue fractionation and decomposition - The significance of active fraction.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK2cXis12jt7Y%3D&md5=10073ae004738f520d4560a873053ee2CAS |
Vega-Jarquin C, Garcia-Mendoza M, Jablonowski N, Luna-Guido M, Dendooven L (2003) Rapid immobilization of applied nitrogen in saline-alkaline soils. Plant and Soil 256, 379–388.
| Rapid immobilization of applied nitrogen in saline-alkaline soils.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3sXotV2jt74%3D&md5=3c68ccbd1aa2b42e8084867e3faefeebCAS |
Vuelvas-Solórzano A, Hernandez-Matehuala R, Conde-Barajas E, Luna-Guido ML, Dendooven L, Cardenas-Manriquez M (2009) Dynamics of 14C-labelled glucose and ammonium in saline arable soils. Revista Brasileira de Ciencia do Solo 33, 857–865.
| Dynamics of 14C-labelled glucose and ammonium in saline arable soils.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Walkley A, Black IA (1934) An examination of the Degtjareff method for determining soil organic matter, and a proposed modification of the chromic acid titration method. Soil Science 37, 29–38.
| An examination of the Degtjareff method for determining soil organic matter, and a proposed modification of the chromic acid titration method.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaA2cXitlGmug%3D%3D&md5=4685096ca0e51274c961d36bcf763758CAS |
Wichern J, Wichern F, Joergensen RG (2006) Impact of salinity on soil microbial communities and the decomposition of maize in acidic soils. Geoderma 137, 100–108.
| Impact of salinity on soil microbial communities and the decomposition of maize in acidic soils.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD28Xhtlals7bN&md5=b65315de755ff9bb38b1b924e0a95c5bCAS |
Wu J, Brookes PC, Jenkinson DS (1993) Formation and destruction of microbial biomass during the decomposition of glucose and ryegrass in soil. Soil Biology & Biochemistry 25, 1435–1441.
| Formation and destruction of microbial biomass during the decomposition of glucose and ryegrass in soil.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK2cXjtVSrsg%3D%3D&md5=d233370c93574a1a35cb098481d42e59CAS |
Yuan BC, Li ZZ, Liu H, Gao M, Zhang YY (2007) Microbial biomass and activity in salt affected soils under and conditions. Applied Soil Ecology 35, 319–328.
| Microbial biomass and activity in salt affected soils under and conditions.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
