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Physiology and microbial community structure in soil at extreme water content

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Abstract

A sandy loam soil was brought to 6 water contents (13–100 % WHC) to study the effects of extreme soil moistures on the physiological status of microbiota (represented by biomass characteristics, specific respiration, bacterial growth, and phospholipid fatty acid, PLFA, stress indicators) and microbial community structure (assessed using PLFA fingerprints). In dry soils, microbial biomass and activity declined as a consequence of water and/or nutrient deficiency (indicated by PLFA stress indicators). These microbial communities were dominated by G+ bacteria and actinomycetes. Oxygen deficits in water-saturated soils did not eliminate microbial activity but the enormous accumulation of poly-3-hydroxybutyrate by bacteria showed the unbalanced growth in excess carbon conditions. High soil water content favored G− bacteria.

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Abbreviations

Cmic :

microbial biomass carbon

MUFA:

monoenoic PLFA

PHB:

poly-3-hydroxybutyrate

pre:

monoenoic precursor of cyc-PLFA

3H-dT:

3H-thymidine

cyc:

cyclopropane-PLFA

Nmic :

microbial biomass nitrogen

PLFA:

phospholipid fatty acid(s)

SFA:

saturated PLFA

WHC:

water-holding capacity

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Soil Biology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, 370 05, České Budějovice, Czechia

    E. Uhlířová, D. Elhottová & H. Šantrůčková

  2. Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of South Bohemia, 370 05, České Budějovice, Czechia

    E. Uhlířová & H. Šantrůčková

  3. Institute of Landscape Ecology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, 370 05, České Budějovice, Czechia

    J. Tříska

Authors
  1. E. Uhlířová
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  2. D. Elhottová
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  3. J. Tříska
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  4. H. Šantrůčková
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Correspondence to E. Uhlířová.

Additional information

This work was supported by theGrant Agency of the Czech Republic (206/99/1410 and 526/99/P033), theResearch Plan of the Institute of Soil Biology AS CR (Z 606 6911), and by theMinistry of Education, Youth and Sport of the Czech Republic (123 100 004).

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Uhlířová, E., Elhottová, D., Tříska, J. et al. Physiology and microbial community structure in soil at extreme water content. Folia Microbiol 50, 161–166 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02931466

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