Microbial diversity plays a crucial role in litter decomposition. However, the relationships between microbial diversity and substrate successional stage are the drivers of this decomposition. In this study, we experimentally manipulated microbial diversity and succession in post-mining soil. We used leaf litter samples from two forests of a post-mining site near Sokolov, Czech Republic: one alder plantation and one mixed forest with birch aspen and willow. Litter from each site was decomposed in the field for 3 and 12 months. The litter was X-ray sterilized and part of the litter was kept unsterilized to produce inoculum. Leaf litter samples of two different ages (3 and 12 months) from each site were each inoculated with litter of two different ages (3 and 12 months), using less and more diluted inoculum, producing two levels of microbial diversity. In each of these eight treatments, the bacterial community was then characterized by amplicon sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene and microbial respiration was used to assess the rate of decomposition. A significantly higher respiration (<i>p</i> < 0.05) was found for the litter inoculated with the higher level of microbial diversity. Higher respiration was also found for the younger litter compared to the older litter and both litter origins. This shows a reduction in microbial respiration with substrate age and inoculation diversity, suggesting that microbial diversity supports the decomposition of soil organic matter.

This study compared two sets of soil samples. One set was from a sheep paddock, the other set from an adjacent vineyard. Conventional agronomic soil tests showed that both sets of soil shared a common structure and nutrient base. However, there was more microbial biomass in the vineyard soil samples (p<0.001). Most of this difference was due to increased fungal biomass in the vineyard (53% more total fungi biomass, p<0.001), including mycorrhizal species (159% more mycorrhizal fungi biomass, p<0.001). The study deployed a series of 10 electronic noses, each with six different gas sensors, on both sets of soil. The electronic noses detected higher levels of volatile organic compounds from the vineyard soil (p<0.001), thus establishing a strong positive correlation with the microbial biomass results.

International audience | Agricultural intensification during the 20th century has profoundly altered soil ecosystems, underscoring the urgent need for sustainable practices enhancing soil quality. Soil microbial biomass is a key indicator of soil quality, reflecting both biological and ecosystem resilience. However, existing studies often focus on specific practices or regions, limiting their applicability to diverse farming systems. This study synthesizes data from 280 scientific publications selected through the Web of Science database, covering a wide geographical range, to evaluate the effects of the main agronomic levers, i.e. tillage, fertilization, crop rotation diversity including inter-cropping, and pesticide use on soil microbial biomass. Statistical analyses revealed that soil microbial biomass is generally promoted by organic fertilization (+64 % to +76 %), reduced tillage (+32 % to +41 %) and increased crop diversity (+10 % to +47 %), while mineral fertilization shows more modest effects (+7 % to +35 %). These results comply with the “carrying capacity” and “ecological habitat” concepts for soil microorganisms: farming practices affect soil microbial biomass either directly through resources availability or survival, and indirectly by changing the soil physical and chemical properties, i.e. habitat properties and growth conditions. By integrating findings from this extensive dataset, this work significantly expands the current understandings of how agricultural practices influence soil microbial biomass. It emphasizes the operational potential of soil microbial biomass as a practical, unifying indicator for assessing the impact of farming strategies on soil quality. Moreover, this study provides actionable insights to support sustainable land management and aligns international soil monitoring initiatives, including the European Directive on soil monitoring and resilience and its national implementations.

Young tropical secondary forests play an important role in the local and global carbon cycles because of their large area and rapid biomass accumulation rates. This study examines how environmental conditions and forest attributes shape biomass compartments and the productivity of young tropical secondary forests. We compared 36 young secondary forest stands that differed in the time since agricultural land abandonment (2.3–3.6 years) from dry and wet regions in Ghana. We quantified biomass stocks in living and dead stems, roots, and soil, and aboveground biomass and litter productivity. We used structural equation models to evaluate how macroclimate, soil nutrients (N, P), and forest attributes (structure, diversity, and functional composition) affect ecosystem functioning. After three years of succession, tropical wet forests stored on average 115 t biomass ha−1 (the sum of aboveground living and dead biomass, belowground fine root biomass, and soil organic matter), and dry forests stored 99 t ha−1. These values represent 31% (in the wet forest) and 39% (in the dry forest) of the biomass compared with neighboring old-growth forests. The majority of forest ecosystem biomass was stored in the soil (70%) and aboveground living vegetation (25%). Macroclimate strongly shaped forest attributes, which in turn determined biomass stocks and productivity. Soil phosphorus strongly increased litter production and soil organic matter, confirming that it is a limiting element in tropical ecosystems. Tree density and species diversity increased forest biomass stocks, suggesting crown packing and complementary resource use enhance forest functioning. A more conservative trait composition (high wood density) increased biomass stocks but reduced productivity, indicating that quantity, identity, and quality of species affect ecosystem functioning.

Grassland ecosystems, which are essential for biodiversity and ecosystem services, are increasingly vulnerable to degradation, primarily driven by climate change and soil variability. Understanding the influence of environmental factors on these indicators is critical for addressing grassland degradation and promoting sustainable land management practices. This study investigates the influence of environmental factors, particularly temperature, precipitation, and soil properties, on species diversity and biomass in the arid and semi-arid grasslands of the Zhangye region, China. Field sampling was performed at 63 sites to collect data on vegetation characteristics, biomass, and soil properties, complemented by climate data. This study investigates the mechanisms through which abiotic factors influence biomass and species diversity. The results indicate that soil moisture and relative humidity, as related factors, are significantly positively correlated with both species diversity and biomass, thereby highlighting the stress induced by temperature in arid ecosystems. Furthermore, soil bulk density and pH were identified as critical mediating factors that influence biomass indirectly through their impact on soil moisture. These findings underscore the complex role of climate–soil interactions in shaping grassland ecosystems and offer essential insights for developing adaptive strategies to manage and mitigate grassland degradation in response to climate change.

Abstract Soil microbial communities have numerous soil ecological and physiological functions. However, knowledge is lacking on the interaction effects of no‐till and cover crops (CC) practices on these soil health indicators. This study evaluated the effects of CC and tillage on soil microbial communities in a corn (Zea mays L.) system. The study was conducted for 2 consecutive years on plots allotted to three practices: (1) no‐till and cover crop (NC), (2) conventional till and no cover crop (CN), and (3) no‐till no cover crop (NN). A grass strip (G) was used as a reference, assuming it was subjected to the least disturbance. Surface (0–5 cm and 5–10 cm) soils were sampled over 2 years in April and October. Soil microbial biomass was measured using phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) analysis. Seasonal variations indicated greater microbial biomass in fall than in spring. The G and NC significantly increased soil microbial biomass at both depths compared to CN and NN during fall 2021 sampling and numerically in fall 2020, where greater changes were observed at 0‐ to 5‐cm depth. In fall 2021 sampling, NC practices had 65%–75% more total microbial biomass than CN and NN at both depths (p < 0.001), with total bacterial biomass 70% greater (p < 0.002) and total fungal biomass 75%–85% greater (p < 0.007). NC also showed 85% more actinomycetes biomass than CN at 5‐ to 10‐cm depth (p < 0.05). The study concluded that soil microbial communities significantly improved after two CC seasons, with higher microbial biomass in fall compared to spring.

The use of Brachiaria ruziziensis as a cover crop in integrated crop-livestock systems is consolidated, promoting changes in the structuring and protection of the soil surface, with greater nutrient cycling, resulting in increased grain yield. However, it is still necessary to investigate how different management practices of Brachiaria ruziziensis biomass during the off-season influence soybean productivity in succession. Therefore, the objective was to compare, over two years, the conventional method of soybean cultivation (without soil cover biomass) with different management practices of Brachiaria ruziziensis biomass (free growth, cut and regrowth of the forage, and grazing) during the off-season in a integrated crop-livestock system and how these management practices affect desiccation efficiency, biomass production and decomposition, C:N ratio, nutrient cycling, as well as soybean productivity in succession. The experiment was implemented in a Neossolo Quartzârenico in the state of Goiás, Brazil, using a randomized complete block design with four replications. Treatments consisted of soybean grown in Brachiaria ruziziensis biomass: with free growth; with cutting and regrowth of the forage; and under grazing during the off-season, in addition to an additional treatment of soybean without soil cover biomass. The results showed that the free growth management reduces the efficiency of forage desiccation. The grazing system, during the off-season, although providing lower biomass production of plant cover, maximizes nutrient recycling and fertilizer return to the soil, resulting in greater input cost savings. Soybean productivity in Brachiaria ruziziensis biomass in all systems increased by 23.49 % compared to soybean grown without soil cover biomass. The identification of forage management strategies provides pathways to improve nutrient use efficiency. These results can inform agricultural policies focused on sustainability, support decision-making in agricultural systems, and contribute to practices that maximize productivity and soil health, in addition to reducing costs with the acquisition of mineral fertilizers.

[Objective] Soil microorganisms are the most active parts in soil and are sensitive to soil additives. This study aimed to clarify the impacts of the addition of biomass materials (corn straw and biochar) and nitrogen application on the compositions of the soil microbial community in moderately saline soils (salt content was 0.4%). [Method] Indoor constant-temperature cultivation experiments were conducted to study the effects of biomass materials and nitrogen application on the microbial diversity and community structure in moderately saline soils. This experiment had a two-way factorial design, with the biomass materials and nitrogen application rates as the treatments. The biomass materials included no addition of biomass materials as a control (C0), corn straw (C1, 0.64 g/pot), and biochar (C2, 0.85 g/pot), and the nitrogen application rates included 0 g N (N0), 0.015 g N (N1), and 0.03 g N (N2). There were nine treatments, as follows: C0N0, C0N1, C0N2, C1N0, C1N1, C1N2, C2N0, C2N1, and C2N2. [Results] (1) The different biomass materials and nitrogen application levels significantly influenced the α-diversity and composition of the bacterial community. At the initial stage of cultivation, the soil bacterial diversity was relatively high, and it significantly decreased after 35 days of cultivation. Moreover, the improvement of the bacterial community structure by the biochar treatment was better than that of corn straw. After 35 days of cultivation, the relative abundance of Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Firmicutes in the soil significantly increased, while the relative abundance of Gemmatimonadete, Chloroflexi, Acidobacteria, Planctomycetes, and Patescibacteria significantly decreased. Ammonium nitrogen, nitrate nitrogen, and nitrate reductase were the main environmental factors affecting the bacterial community. (2) The different biomass materials and nitrogen treatments significantly affected the richness of the fungal communities. The fungal richness index significantly increased after adding the corn straw and biochar treatments, and the addition of corn straw promoted an increase in the beneficial bacterial abundance in the moderately saline soil. Soil nitrate reductase and ammonium nitrogen were the main environmental factors affecting the fungal community. [Conclusions] In summary, biomass materials and nitrogen application can effectively increase the diversity of soil microbial communities and optimize the structure of microbial communities, thereby ameliorating the ecosystem health of moderately saline soil.

This research investigated the impact of various mixed sowing combinations on soil nutrients and grass yield within the rhizosphere across different seasons. Three varieties of leguminous forages—<i>Medicago sativa</i> ‘Gannong No. 3’ (GN3), <i>M. sativa</i> ‘Gannong No. 9’ (GN9), and <i>M. sativa</i> ‘Juneng No. 7’ (JN7)—as well as three varieties of grasses—<i>Leymus chinensis</i> ‘Longmu No. 1’ (LC), <i>Agropyron mongolicum</i> ‘Mengnong No. 1’ (AC), and <i>Bromus inermis</i> ‘Yuanye’ (BI)—were used as experimental materials for mixed sowing combinations; the monocultures of each material served as controls. We explored the seasonal effects of different legumes and grasses intercropping combinations on rhizosphere soil nutrients and grass yield in the Hexi Corridor region of China. The results indicated that the levels of soil enzyme activity, microbial biomass, and soil nutrients in the rhizosphere across the various treatments followed the following sequence: summer > spring > autumn. The soil enzyme activities and microbial biomass of various mixed sowing combinations were significantly higher than those of the monocultures within the same growing season (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Specifically, the activities of alkaline phosphatase (APA), catalase (CAT), soil microbial biomass carbon (SMBC), soil microbial biomass nitrogen (SMBN), soil microbial biomass phosphorus (SMBP), soil organic matter (SOM), available nitrogen (AN), available phosphorus (AP), and available potassium (AK) within the GN9+BI group were the highest among all treatments. The hay yields of GN3, GN9, and JN7 were markedly greater than those of their respective mixed sowing combinations (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Correlation analysis revealed a positive relationship between enzyme activities, microbial biomass, and soil nutrient levels. This comprehensive evaluation indicated that the mixed sowing combinations of GN9 + BI and GN9 + LC are particularly well suited for widespread adoption in the Hexi Oasis irrigation area.

Salt-affected soils cover 6.73 M ha in India, with ~56 % being sodic and 44 % saline. Sodic soils, particularly in the Indo-Gangetic plains, form due to alternate wetting and drying, leading to alkali hydrolysis, sodium saturation and high pH. Soil organic matter (SOM) turnover, primarily driven by microbial activity, is significantly impaired under these conditions. Reduced decomposition rates in salt-affected soils may enhance carbon (C) sequestration, lowering CO? emissions, provided soil organic carbon (SOC) inputs are adequate. Navathania biomass consists of biomass from nine different crop seeds, improving soil organic matter and fertility. In contrast, Sunhemp biomass (Sesbania rostrata), a nitrogen-fixing green manure, enhances soil structure and microbial activity. A field experiment was conducted in sodic soil with seven treatments: T1- Navathania biomass @ 5.0 t ha-1 , T2- Sunhemp biomass @ 6.25 t ha-1 , T3- Crop residue @ 6.25 t ha-1 , T4- Vermicompost @ 5.0 t ha-1 , T5- Enriched Farmyard Manure @ 750 kg ha-1 , T6- Gypsum @ 50 % GR and T7- Control. Navathania biomass incorporation significantly increased grain yield (4950 kg ha-1 ) and straw yield (7200 kg ha-1 ), with a 24.3 % yield increase over control. It also improved microbial biomass carbon (Cmb) (246 µg g-1 soil), Cmb/SOC ratio (1.92 %), SOC stock (23.7 Mg C ha-1 ), C buildup rate (4.73 Mg C ha-1 yr-1 ), basal respiration rate (43.7 mg CO?-C g-1 day-1 ) and enzyme activities. This treatment can enhance SOC conservation and soil productivity under sodic conditions.