Journal article
Authors list: Wolters, V
Publication year: 1999
Pages: 528-536
Journal: Pedobiologia: Journal of Soil Ecology
Volume number: 43
Issue number: 6
ISSN: 0031-4056
DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-4056(24)00577-8
Publisher: Elsevier
Abstract:
A laboratory experiment was carried on the microbial use of Allium ursinum L. litter in a calcareous beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) forest soil. Non-labeled and C-14 labeled litter of A. ursinum and beech was applied to differentiate between C originating from the two litter types. The earthworm species Lumbricus rubellus was added to part of the microcosms. Cumulative C-14 mineralisation and microbial C-14 incorporation served as parameters for the C turnover of the microflora. The experiment lasted for 34 days.About 1.6 % of beech litter C and 47 % of A. ursinum C had been mineralized in the non-earthworm treatments at the end of the experiment. Litter of A. ursinum may thus partly compensate a potential C deficit of the decomposer community in early summer. The high metabolic quotient (q(14)CO(2)) indicates that decomposition of A. ursinum litter may significantly increase the nutrient availability in the soil of the Gottinger Wald area in early summer This effect could even be amplified by the fact that A. ursinum litter also increased the metabolic quotient of the microflora colonizing beech litter.L. rubellus used C from both litter types for biomass production. Strong incorporation of A. ursinum C seems to be due rather to better usability than to selective ingestion. Increased C-14 mineralisation and decreased microbial C-14 incorporation indicates that small and fast growing microorganisms are favored in earthworm worked soil. This was not fundamentally altered by litter quality. Depression of C-14(mic) by L. rubellus to:almost identical values in all litter treatments indicates that microbial growth was limited. The fact that A. ursinum litter did not modify the effect of L. rubellus on the microbial use of beech litter indicates that C and N availability did not limit the microflora.
Citation Styles
Harvard Citation style: Wolters, V. (1999) Allium ursinum litter triggering decomposition on a beech forest floor - the effect of earthworms, Pedobiologia: Journal of Soil Ecology, 43(6), pp. 528-536. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-4056(24)00577-8
APA Citation style: Wolters, V. (1999). Allium ursinum litter triggering decomposition on a beech forest floor - the effect of earthworms. Pedobiologia: Journal of Soil Ecology. 43(6), 528-536. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-4056(24)00577-8