Calculation of Microbial Maintenance Rates and Net Nitrogen Mineralization in Soil at Steady-state
1986
Smith, J. L. | McNeal, B. L. | Cheng, H. H. | Campbell, G. S.
Product formation equations were used for the calculation of specific maintenance energy rates for soil microbial biomass and incorporated into a conceptual model for maintenance C flow. The model separates active and sustaining biomass and includes considerations for endogenous catabolism, cryptic growth, and microbial death. Coupling of the model with product formation equations enabled the calculation of specific maintenance rates for five soils, using data from a 60-d incubation. Calculated maintenance rates were approximately half the values commonly reported for soils and used in ecosystem models. With the use of the calculated specific maintenance rates, the conceptual model and data from a 60-d incubation, the net soil N mineralized during the steady-state period could also be calculated. The resultant C/N ratio of the biomass formed during this period was 7.6. Calculations involving N provided verification of the maintenance rate calculations and of the validity of the conceptual model.
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