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Lookup NU author(s): Elaine Malosso, Professor David Hopkins, Professor Anthony O'Donnell
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The relationship between organic matter decomposition and changes in microbial community structure were investigated in Antarctic soils using 13C-labelled plant materials. Soils with and without labelled Deschampsia antarctica (a native Antarctic grass) were incubated for 42 days and sampled at 0, 7, 14, 21, 28 and 42 days. Changes in microbial community structure were assessed using phospholipid fatty acid analysis (PLFA) and an analysis of the fatty acids associated with the neutral lipid fraction (NLFA). These studies showed that there were no significant changes in PLFA or NLFA profiles over time suggesting no change in microbial community structure during residue decomposition. There was a marked increase however, in ergosterol levels in these soils indicative of growth of the fungal biomass. Analysis of this ergosterol using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry confirmed the transformation of the plant residue by showing the incorporation of 13C-plant C into the ergosterol. This incorporation of 13C into the ergosterol increased over the incubation period. Importantly, these changes associated with fungal growth were not evident in the analysis of either the PLFA or NLFA fractions thus questioning the reliability of such approaches for studying changes in microbial communities associated with the decomposition of plant residues. © 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Author(s): Malosso E, English L, Hopkins DW, O'Donnell AG
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Soil Biology and Biochemistry
Year: 2004
Volume: 36
Issue: 1
Pages: 165-175
ISSN (print): 0038-0717
ISSN (electronic): 1879-3428
Publisher: Pergamon
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.soilbio.2003.09.004
DOI: 10.1016/j.soilbio.2003.09.004
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