Abstract
The impact of agricultural land-use on soil microbial community composition and enzyme activity has not been extensively investigated in Ultisols. We investigated soil health parameters by analyzing phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAs), extracellular enzyme activity, C and N stocks, and soil structure. Four land uses were established in a tropical climate region of Brazil: native Cerrado (savanna), monoculture pasture [Urochloa brizantha (Hochst. Ex A. Rich.) R. Webster 'Marandu'], an integrated crop-livestock system (ICLS), and maize (Zea mays)-fallow in a no-tillage system. Soil microbial biomass was 40% higher in the native Cerrado than in the monoculture pasture, ICLS, and no-tillage maize. Soil organic carbon was positively correlated with microbial community composition (MB; gram–; AC; AMF; Fungi; F: B ratio) and enzyme activity (bG, AP, NAG). Large macroaggregates were positively correlated with bG, AP, and AMF. In summary, the native Cerrado had a higher level of carbon at the soil surface and greater soil structure with increased microbial biomass, gram+ bacteria, AMF, fungi, and F:B ratio in a tropical region of Brazil. However, bG and AP enzyme activities were lower in the ICLS and no-till maize at the soil surface (0–5 cm) compared to the native Cerrado. The conversion of native Cerrado to agricultural systems shifted the soil microbial community composition, enzyme activity, C and N, and soil structure of this sandy soil of the Brazilian Cerrado.
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To Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES). To FAPESP (São Paulo Research Foundation) for financial support of this research (Registry numbers: 2014/10656-3 and 2016/14323-4) and CNPq (Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Development).
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Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES). To FAPESP (São Paulo Research Foundation) for financial support of this research (Registry numbers: 2014/10656-3 and 2016/14323-4) and CNPq (Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Development).
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Sarto, M.V.M., Borges, W.L.B., Bassegio, D. et al. Soil microbial community, enzyme activity, C and N stocks and soil aggregation as affected by land use and soil depth in a tropical climate region of Brazil. Arch Microbiol 202, 2809–2824 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00203-020-01996-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00203-020-01996-8