Microbial activity and survival in soils dried at different rates
1992
West, A.W. | Sparling, G.P. | Feltham, C.W. (DSIR Land Resources, Lower Hutt (New Zealand)) | Reynolds, J. (DSIR, Wellington (New Zealand). Applied Mathematics Div.)
Four soils of contrasting textural characteristics and organic matter content were air-dried in the laboratory at 3 different rates, and the change in microbial biomass carbon, soil respiration (CO2 efflux) and substrate availability (extractable organic C) were monitored throughout the drying regime and on storage of the moist soils. Respiration and activity declined continuously and in a generally linear manner as the volumetric water content (Wv) decreased. Biomass C declined, and extractable C increased after a considerable initial period of drying. Rewetting of dried soils produced a marked increase in respiration. There were no significant differences due to soil characteristics, suggesting that the flora had similar survival strategies and occupied comparable physical niches in a wide variety of soils.
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