Microbial biomass in a stored soil: a comparison of different estimation procedures
1991
Ross, D.J.
Estimations of soil microbial biomass are now frequently made, because of the importance of soil organisms in nutrient cycling and their role as a source and sink of plant nutrients (Jenkinson, 1988: Smith and Paul, 1990). Various estimation procedures have been developed, but all appear to have their deficiencies under some conditions. Usually, microbial biomass is measured as soon as possible after soil sampling, in either "fresh" samples or those that have been "pre-incubated" for a few days (Jenkinson and Powlson. 1976); in some situations, however, preliminary storage of the soil is required. The effects of prolonged storage on the microbial biomass of a soil (a Fluvaquentic Eutrochrept) sampled under crops and pasture is here determined, and a comparison made of several procedures for estimating microbial C in the soil under pasture.
Show more [+] Less [-]AGROVOC Keywords
Bibliographic information
This bibliographic record has been provided by National Agricultural Library
