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Tallgrass prairies have some of the deepest and most fertile topsoil on earth. Widespread conversion of these grasslands to agriculture has decreased soil Carbon (C) storage by exacerbating erosion and disrupting aggregates that protect C from decomposition, coupled with lower plant C inputs. Thus, a primary goal of some grassland restorations is to improve soil structure and functioning. Conversion of cultivated systems to perennial grasslands often increases soil C, microbial biomass, and soil aggregate size and stability. A few studies have documented changes in soil microbial community structure after restoration. The objective of this work was two fold: 1) to explore the importance of soil texture and 2) determine plant diversity effects on recovery of soil biotic and abiotic properties. In the first study changes in soil microbial phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) profiles and soil aggregates were examined in two 0-19 year chronosequences of restored grasslands in Nebraska on soils differing in texture, silty clay loam (SCL) and loamy fine sand (LFS), and compared them to native prairie. Soil was collected from the 0-10 cm soil depth at each site in May of 2007 and 2008. The SCL chronosequence exhibited increases in total PLFA biomass P<0.05, r2=0.29), PLFA richness (P<0.0001, r2=0.25), fungi (P<0.0001, r2=0.65), fungal:bacterial ratio (P<0.0001, r2=0.67), Gram (+) bacteria (P=0.02, r2=0.22), Gram (-) bacteria (P=0.05, r2=0.16), and actinomycetes (P=0.02, r2=0.23). Average soil aggregate diameter also increased (p=0.0002, r2=0.52). However, LFS sites showed no change across the chronosequence for any parameter. Total PLFA biomass (ANOVA, P<0.0001), richness (P<0.0001), and fungi (P=0.005) were greater on SCL restorations than LFS, but LFS had greater fungal:bacterial ratios (P=0.02). Soil microbial groups and soil aggregates were highly correlated, especially in the LFS choronosequence indicating that structural recovery is key to microbial community recovery. The second study investigated high diversity restorations with low diversity restorations on silty clay loam. In this study, high diversity and low diversity restorations in southeast Nebraska, aged 4 and 8 years were compared. The quantity of forbs seeded was too low and high diversity communities were a mixture of dominant C4 grasses (Andropogon gerardii Vitman, Schizachyrium scoparium (Michx.) Nash, Panicum virgatum L., Bouteloua curtipendula (Michx.) Torr. and Sorghastrum nutans (L.) Nash) and subdominant C3 grasses (Elymus canadensis L., Pascopyrum smithii (Rybd.) A. Löve, and Elymus virginicus L.). Eight year old plantings had greater root biomass, root C storage, root C:N ratio (P<0.05 for all), microbial biomass (low diversity only, PC<0.1, PN<0.05), PLFA richness (low diversity only, P<0.05), mycorrhizal fungi (P<0.05), and C mineralization (low diversity only, P<0.05) than 4 year old plantings. Low diversity plantings, which contained almost exclusively dominant C4 prairie grasses, had greater root C storage (P<0.1), mycorrhizal fungi (8 years only, P<0.1), and C mineralization (8 years only, P<0.05). Thus, C4 grasses and their associated arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi seem to drive recovery of soil C, soil respiration, and soil microbial communities over time. Overall, this work indicates that rates and success of belowground recovery are dependent on both abiotic and biotic factors in restoration. Restored plant communities affected soil recovery as dominant C4 grasses appeared to drive belowground recovery, but recovery depended on soil texture.

Microorganisms and their interactions in soil play a critical role in nutrient transformations and cycling, and in sustaining soil productivity. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are a keystone group of fungi influencing nutrient cycling. In turn, the activity and composition of microorganisms in soil are influenced by management practices such as the choice of crop species and fertilization. Long-term effects of cropping, manuring and mineral fertilization on the soil-plant system were defined in three selected agro-ecosystems of Canada. A greenhouse experiment was also conducted to define the involvement of AMF in organic residue decomposition and nitrogen (N) mineralization.<p> In the greenhouse experiment, pasteurized soil was inoculated or not with a strain of <i>Glomus claroideum, G. clarum</i> or <i>G. intraradices</i>. 15N-labelled organic residue in a nylon mesh was buried in the soil. The fate of residue-N was determined after 24 weeks. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal species enhanced mineralization of organic residue to different degrees. The highest recovery of mineralized N by plants (25%) occurred when inoculated with <i>G. clarum</i>. The AMF enhanced N-mineralization differentially leading to differential plant growth stimulation, differences in the C-to-N ratio of the decomposing organic residue, and in soil microbial community structure.<p> In a field trial conducted on a Brown Chernozemic soil at the Semiarid Prairies Agricultural Research Centre in Swift Current, SK, eight years of phosphorus (P) (0, 20 and 40 kg P2O5 ha-1) application to alfalfa monoculture and alfalfa-Russian wildrye (RWR) dual culture modified the soil microbial community structure. Low levels of phosphorus (0 and 20 kg P2O5 ha-1) fertilization in alfalfa-RWR dual culture increased the abundance of fungivorous nematodes and grazing of AMF hyphae thus increasing the carbon drain from plants and ultimately reducing plant biomass.<p> In a sub-humid region of Saskatchewan on a a Black Chernozem soil, mineral N (0, 20 or 40 kg N ha-1) was applied for 10 years to pea grown continuously or in rotation with wheat. Lower yields in continuous-pea were associated with reduced abundance of beneficial Gram positive bacteria and AMF, and an increase in uptake of plant available Fe to toxic levels. These differences in soil properties were related to root rot which increased with years in continuous-pea. The soil environment in the continuous-pea rotation further led to lower organic carbon inputs, and to reduced soil microbial biomass and soil enzyme activity indicating a negative impact on nutrient cycling.<p> In the south coastal region of Agassiz, British Columbia, dairy manure slurry (DMS) and ammonium nitrate (AN) had been applied on a Regosol at the same annual rate of mineral N (50 or 100 kg mineral N ha-1) for nine years to perennial tall fescue, followed by one year of stand renovation through reseeding without fertilization. The multi-year application of DMS improved soil organic C, soil organic N, light fraction of organic matter, microbial biomass and enzyme activity as compared to mineral fertilization but the DMS-related increase in soil yield potential was lost in the process of stand rejuvenation. Dairy manure slurry application based on the crop N requirement also increased soil phosphate indicating increased environmental hazard. In conclusion, long-term use of DMS in multi-cut tall fescue can increase soil quality parameters but can also increase the risk of eutrophication of water bodies.<p> Overall, data showed that higher levels of soil nutrients can select for certain bacteria while AMF and other bacteria are more abundant under low soil fertility. On the other hand, different soil microbial groups were associated with different soil enzyme activities. From this study, I succeded in proving my hypothesis that practice of fertilization and choice of crop influence soil microbial community structure which further affect soil functioning.

Microorganisms and their interactions in soil play a critical role in nutrient transformations and cycling, and in sustaining soil productivity. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are a keystone group of fungi influencing nutrient cycling. In turn, the activity and composition of microorganisms in soil are influenced by management practices such as the choice of crop species and fertilization. Long-term effects of cropping, manuring and mineral fertilization on the soil-plant system were defined in three selected agro-ecosystems of Canada. A greenhouse experiment was also conducted to define the involvement of AMF in organic residue decomposition and nitrogen (N) mineralization.<p> In the greenhouse experiment, pasteurized soil was inoculated or not with a strain of <i>Glomus claroideum, G. clarum</i> or <i>G. intraradices</i>. 15N-labelled organic residue in a nylon mesh was buried in the soil. The fate of residue-N was determined after 24 weeks. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal species enhanced mineralization of organic residue to different degrees. The highest recovery of mineralized N by plants (25%) occurred when inoculated with <i>G. clarum</i>. The AMF enhanced N-mineralization differentially leading to differential plant growth stimulation, differences in the C-to-N ratio of the decomposing organic residue, and in soil microbial community structure.<p> In a field trial conducted on a Brown Chernozemic soil at the Semiarid Prairies Agricultural Research Centre in Swift Current, SK, eight years of phosphorus (P) (0, 20 and 40 kg P2O5 ha-1) application to alfalfa monoculture and alfalfa-Russian wildrye (RWR) dual culture modified the soil microbial community structure. Low levels of phosphorus (0 and 20 kg P2O5 ha-1) fertilization in alfalfa-RWR dual culture increased the abundance of fungivorous nematodes and grazing of AMF hyphae thus increasing the carbon drain from plants and ultimately reducing plant biomass.<p> In a sub-humid region of Saskatchewan on a a Black Chernozem soil, mineral N (0, 20 or 40 kg N ha-1) was applied for 10 years to pea grown continuously or in rotation with wheat. Lower yields in continuous-pea were associated with reduced abundance of beneficial Gram positive bacteria and AMF, and an increase in uptake of plant available Fe to toxic levels. These differences in soil properties were related to root rot which increased with years in continuous-pea. The soil environment in the continuous-pea rotation further led to lower organic carbon inputs, and to reduced soil microbial biomass and soil enzyme activity indicating a negative impact on nutrient cycling.<p> In the south coastal region of Agassiz, British Columbia, dairy manure slurry (DMS) and ammonium nitrate (AN) had been applied on a Regosol at the same annual rate of mineral N (50 or 100 kg mineral N ha-1) for nine years to perennial tall fescue, followed by one year of stand renovation through reseeding without fertilization. The multi-year application of DMS improved soil organic C, soil organic N, light fraction of organic matter, microbial biomass and enzyme activity as compared to mineral fertilization but the DMS-related increase in soil yield potential was lost in the process of stand rejuvenation. Dairy manure slurry application based on the crop N requirement also increased soil phosphate indicating increased environmental hazard. In conclusion, long-term use of DMS in multi-cut tall fescue can increase soil quality parameters but can also increase the risk of eutrophication of water bodies.<p> Overall, data showed that higher levels of soil nutrients can select for certain bacteria while AMF and other bacteria are more abundant under low soil fertility. On the other hand, different soil microbial groups were associated with different soil enzyme activities. From this study, I succeded in proving my hypothesis that practice of fertilization and choice of crop influence soil microbial community structure which further affect soil functioning.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:28:37Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2003Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:16:46Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 cruz_jcs_me_botfca.pdf: 261941 bytes, checksum: 429c0454a3c1d34be05ecfd232f3ad29 (MD5) / A técnica de solarização vem sendo utilizada em pequenas propriedades como uma alternativa de substituição de defensivos agrícolas no controle de fitopatógenos, insetos, plantas daninhas e nematóides de solo. Desta forma, instalou-se um experimento em condições de campo, numa área da Fazenda Experimental Lageado, campus da UNESP no município de Botucatu – SP (latitude 22°51’S e longitude 48°26’W) para se avaliar o impacto desta técnica sobre a comunidade microbiana de um solo caracterizado como Latossolo Vermelho Distrófico, textura média. Inicialmente, incorporou-se uma fonte de matéria orgânica ao solo (couve Brassica oleraceae var. acephala L. fresca e triturada) na quantidade de 4kg.m-2. Posteriormente, umedeceu-se o mesmo e cobriu-se com filme plástico transparente de polietileno aditivado com 150mm de espessura. Fez-se vedação lateral de cada parcela, para se evitar a dispersão de gases e aumentar-se o efeito térmico natural. O experimento obedeceu a delineamento fatorial 2x2x4 (solo solarizado e não solarizado x com e sem incorporação de couve x épocas de coleta). Os tratamentos foram: a)adição de couve sem solarização; b)solarização e adição couve; c)testemunha, sem adição de couve e sem solarização; d)solarização sem adição de couve, com três repetições cada tratamento... . / The soil solarization technique has been used in small properties as an alternative to substitute chemical defensives for phytopathogens, insects, damage causing plants and soil nematode control. A field condition experiment was carried out in an area of Faculdade de Ciências Agronômicas - Botucatu - SP - Brazil (latitude 22°51’S and longitude 48° 26’ W) in order to evaluate the technique impact on the microbial community of soil characterized as Distrofic Red Latosoil, medium texture. Initially, a source of organic material was incorporated to the soil (kale- Brassica oleraceae var acephala L. fresh and ground) in the amount of 4 kg.m-2. After that, it was moisturized a covered with transparent additivated polyethylene plastic film 150mm tick. Lateral sealing of each alloment was made, in order to avoid gas dispersal and to increase natural thermal effect. The experiment followed a 2x2x4 factorial outline (solarized and non solarized soil x with and without kale incorporaton x four times of harvest). The treatments were: a) addition of kale incorporation; b) solarization and addition of kale; c) witness, without addition of kale and without solarization; d) solarization without addition of kale; with three repetitions of each treatment. Samples composed of soil from each allotment were collected from 0-10cm deep, with the first collecting performed seven days after the experiment implantation in the field, and the further ones as intervals of 14 days, from January to March 2001, being afterwards taken to the area of Departamento de Produção Vegetal, (Defesa Fitossanitária) for microbiological analysis... (Complete abstract, click electronic address below).

Orientador: Marli Teixeira Almeida Minhoni / Resumo: A técnica de solarização vem sendo utilizada em pequenas propriedades como uma alternativa de substituição de defensivos agrícolas no controle de fitopatógenos, insetos, plantas daninhas e nematóides de solo. Desta forma, instalou-se um experimento em condições de campo, numa área da Fazenda Experimental Lageado, campus da UNESP no município de Botucatu - SP (latitude 22°51'S e longitude 48°26'W) para se avaliar o impacto desta técnica sobre a comunidade microbiana de um solo caracterizado como Latossolo Vermelho Distrófico, textura média. Inicialmente, incorporou-se uma fonte de matéria orgânica ao solo (couve Brassica oleraceae var. acephala L. fresca e triturada) na quantidade de 4kg.m-2. Posteriormente, umedeceu-se o mesmo e cobriu-se com filme plástico transparente de polietileno aditivado com 150mm de espessura. Fez-se vedação lateral de cada parcela, para se evitar a dispersão de gases e aumentar-se o efeito térmico natural. O experimento obedeceu a delineamento fatorial 2x2x4 (solo solarizado e não solarizado x com e sem incorporação de couve x épocas de coleta). Os tratamentos foram: a)adição de couve sem solarização; b)solarização e adição couve; c)testemunha, sem adição de couve e sem solarização; d)solarização sem adição de couve, com três repetições cada tratamento... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo). / Abstract: The soil solarization technique has been used in small properties as an alternative to substitute chemical defensives for phytopathogens, insects, damage causing plants and soil nematode control. A field condition experiment was carried out in an area of Faculdade de Ciências Agronômicas - Botucatu - SP - Brazil (latitude 22°51'S and longitude 48° 26' W) in order to evaluate the technique impact on the microbial community of soil characterized as Distrofic Red Latosoil, medium texture. Initially, a source of organic material was incorporated to the soil (kale- Brassica oleraceae var acephala L. fresh and ground) in the amount of 4 kg.m-2. After that, it was moisturized a covered with transparent additivated polyethylene plastic film 150mm tick. Lateral sealing of each alloment was made, in order to avoid gas dispersal and to increase natural thermal effect. The experiment followed a 2x2x4 factorial outline (solarized and non solarized soil x with and without kale incorporaton x four times of harvest). The treatments were: a) addition of kale incorporation; b) solarization and addition of kale; c) witness, without addition of kale and without solarization; d) solarization without addition of kale; with three repetitions of each treatment. Samples composed of soil from each allotment were collected from 0-10cm deep, with the first collecting performed seven days after the experiment implantation in the field, and the further ones as intervals of 14 days, from January to March 2001, being afterwards taken to the area of Departamento de Produção Vegetal, (Defesa Fitossanitária) for microbiological analysis... (Complete abstract, click electronic address below). / Mestre

The interplay between geology and biology has shaped the Earth during billions of years. Microbe-mineral interactions are prime examples of this interplay and underscore the importance of microorganisms in making Earth a suitable environment for all forms of life. The present thesis takes an interdisciplinary approach to obtain an integrated understanding of microbe-mineral interactions. More specifically it addresses how the composition and distribution of biogenic weathering agents (siderophores) differ with regard to soil horizon and mineral type in situ, what siderophore type soil microorganisms produces under laboratory conditions, what role microbial surface attachment plays in mineral weathering reactions and what central roles and applications siderophores have in the environment. Podzol, the third most abundant soil in Europe, and most abundant in Scandinavia, was chosen for a field experiment, where three minerals (apatite, biotite and oligoclase) were inserted in the organic, eluvial and upper illuvial soil horizons. The study started with an investigation of the siderophore composition in the bulk soil profile and on the mineral surfaces (paper I), which was followed by a study of the siderophore producing capabilities of microorganisms isolated from the soil profile under laboratory conditions (paper II). Subsequently, a study was done on the impact of microbial surface attachment on biotite dissolution (paper III). Finally, the roles of siderophores in nature and their potential applications were reviewed (paper IV). The major findings were that the concentration of hydroxamate siderophores in the soil attached to the mineral surfaces was greater than those in the surrounding bulk soil, indicating that the minerals stimulate the microbial communities attached to their surfaces to produce more siderophores than the microorganisms in the bulk soil. Each mineral had a unique assemblage of hydroxamate siderophores, that makes the mineral type one of the main factors affecting siderophore composition in the natural environment. Siderophore production varied between the microbial species originating from different soil horizons, suggesting that the metabolic properties of microbes in deep soil horizons function differently from those at upper soil horizons. Microbial surface attachment enhanced the biotite dissolution, showing that attached microbes has a greater influence on weathering reactions in soil than planktonic populations. In conclusion, our findings reflected that the complicated relationship between microorganisms and mineral surfaces reinforces the central theme of biogeochemistry that the mineral controls the biological activity in the natural environments. However, the importance of these relationships to the biogeochemical systems requires further investigation. / <p>At the time of the doctoral defense, the following papers were unpublished and had a status as follows: Paper 2: In press. Paper 3: In press.</p><p> </p>

Agriculture management including tillage and crop residues impact the functioning of soil microbiota. Soil microbiota cycle nutrients, with greenhouse gases being a byproduct within the cycle. The main objectives of this thesis were to 1) assess tillage and corn residue impact on N-cycling soil microorganisms and N2O emissions in situ (Chapter 3); and 2) evaluate N-cycling soil microorganisms in situ relative to N2O flux during a spring thaw cycle (Chapter 4). In situ sampling addresses how changing field conditions influence soil bacterial processes. Results indicated tillage and removal of corn residue declined soil microbial abundance and increased N2O emissions. These responses were dependent on local environmental conditions; moisture, carbon and nitrogen availability. The spring thaw study highlighted N-cycling microorganisms were present and active over the spring thaw event, and delayed nosZ denitrifier activity was related to the timing of significant N2O emission events, suggesting new evidence of de novo denitrification. / Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) and Natural Science and Engineering Research Council (NSERC)

Soil nitrogen availability to plants is a fundamental control on the structure and functioning of arctic tundra ecosystems. Despite recent evidence that biogeochemical and microbial dynamics during the non-growing season impact nitrogen availability to plants in tundra ecosystems, very little is known about soil microbial patterns and mechanisms for nutrient mobilization in the winter, spring and fall. In this dissertation I have examined the environmental and microbial controls on seasonal nitrogen mobilization in a widespread Canadian low arctic birch hummock tundra ecosystem. In particular, I have investigated the potential for increased winter snow depth and different above-ground vegetation-types to alter soil microbial community patterns and nutrient mobilization from organic matter into plant-available pools. First, I demonstrated that experimentally deepened winter snow altered soil microbial physiology during winter, defined as increased microbial carbon limitation to growth and activity. Second, I established that deepened snow enhanced spring nutrient mobilization during distinct environmental phases, producing large peaks in the soil microbial biomass and soil solution carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus during snow thaw. Third, I showed that laboratory predictions of early-spring air temperature freeze-thaw cycles promoting tundra soil nitrogen loss are not relevant, as the soil environment and soil biogeochemistry were relatively stable after snow melt and before plant growth began. Fourth, I demonstrated that microbial functional groups did not differ strongly under different tundra vegetation types, but higher quality shrub litter induced positive feedbacks on soil carbon availability and soil nitrogen mineralization in the late summer. Finally, I illustrated that annual patterns of tundra soil microbial community structure and composition were strongly linked to soil biogeochemistry and that significant shifts in fungal/bacterial ratios occur during snowmelt. This research suggests two broad conclusions: a) that soil microbial activity is responsive to changes in above-ground vegetation; and b) that seasonal changes in microbial community structure and microbial biochemistry are strongly correlated. Therefore, the synchronicity of microbial seasonal succession and plant species-specific timing of nitrogen uptake is a critical factor restricting the potential for ecosystem N losses at spring thaw and ultimately in supplying growth-limiting nutrients to plants in the following summer. / Thesis (Ph.D, Biology) -- Queen's University, 2009-09-25 23:29:53.103