Plant stimulation of soil microbial community succession: how sequential expression mediates soil carbon stabilization and turnover

Firestone, Mary¹ 

[1] Univ. of California, Berkeley, CA (United States)

关键词: Rhizosphere;    Root-microbial;    Carbon stabilization;   

DOI  :  10.2172/1177136
RP-ID  :  DOE-UCB--04730
PID  :  OSTI ID: 1177136

美国|英语

来源: SciTech Connect

【 摘 要 】

It is now understood that most plant C is utilized or transformed by soil microorganisms en route to stabilization. Hence the composition of microbial communities that mediate decomposition and transformation of root C is critical, as are the metabolic capabilities of these communities. The change in composition and function of the C-transforming microbial communities over time in effect defines the biological component of soil C stabilization. Our research was designed to test 2 general hypotheses; the first two hypotheses are discussed first; H1: Root-exudate interactions with soil microbial populations results in the expression of enzymatic capacities for macromolecular, complex carbon decomposition; and H2: Microbial communities surrounding roots undergo taxonomic succession linked to functional gene activities as roots grow, mature, and decompose in soil. Over the term of the project we made significant progress in 1) quantifying the temporal pattern of root interactions with the soil decomposing community and 2) characterizing the role of root exudates in mediating these interactions.