Abstract
Inputs of low molecular weight carbon (LMW-C) to soil - primarily via root exudates- are expected to be a major driver of microbial activity and source of stable soil organic carbon. It is expected that variation in the type and composition of LMW-C entering soil will influence microbial community composition and function. If this is the case then short-term changes in LMW-C inputs may alter processes regulated by these communities. To determine if change in the composition of LMW-C inputs influences microbial community function and composition, we conducted a 90 day microcosm experiment whereby soils sourced from three different land covers (meadows, deciduous forests, and white pine stands) were amended, at low concentrations, with one of eight simulated root exudate treatments. Treatments included no addition of LMW-C, and the full factorial combination of glucose, glycine, and oxalic acid. After 90 days, we conducted a functional response assay and determined microbial composition via phospholipid fatty acid analysis. Whereas we noted a statistically significant effect of exudate treatments, this only accounted for ∼3% of the variation observed in function. In comparison, land cover and site explained ∼46 and ∼41% of the variation, respectively. This suggests that exudate composition has little influence on function compared to site/land cover specific factors. Supporting the finding that exudate effects were minor, we found that an absence of LMW-C elicited the greatest difference in function compared to those treatments receiving any LMW-C. Additionally, exudate treatments did not alter microbial community composition and observable differences were instead due to land cover. These results confirm the strong effects of land cover/site legacies on soil microbial communities. In contrast, short-term changes in exudate composition, at meaningful concentrations, may have little impact on microbial function and composition.
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
8-11-2015
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2015.00817
Funding Information
We thank . . . funding from the U.S. National Science Foundation (DEB-1021098 and DEB-1021222). Open access fees provided by Virginia Tech’s Open Access Subvention Fund.
Repository Citation
Strickland, Michael S.; McCulley, Rebecca L.; Nelson, Jim A.; and Bradford, Mark A., "Compositional Differences in Simulated Root Exudates Elicit a Limited Functional and Compositional Response in Soil Microbial Communities" (2015). Plant and Soil Sciences Faculty Publications. 60.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/pss_facpub/60
Notes/Citation Information
Published in Frontiers of Microbiology, v. 6, article 817, p. 1-9.
© 2015 Strickland, McCulley, Nelson and Bradford.
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