Microbial regulation of soil carbon properties under nitrogen addition and plant inputs removal

Abstract, PeerJ, 2019

We found that nitrogen addition affected the soil microbial community structure, and that microbial biomass increased significantly once 100 kg ha⁻¹ a⁻¹ of nitrogen was added. The interactions between nitrogen addition and plant inputs removal significantly affected soil bacteria and their enzymatic activities (oxidases). The NL treatment enhanced soil microbial biomass under nitrogen addition. We also found that the biomass of gram-negative bacteria and saprotrophic fungi directly affected the soil microbial functions related to carbon turnover. The biomass of gram-negative bacteria and peroxidase activity were key factors controlling soil carbon dynamics. The interactions between nitrogen addition and plant inputs removal strengthened the correlation between the hydrolases and soil carbon.