Addition of glucose increases the activity of microbes in saline soils
Bannur Elmajdoub A B E , Petra Marschner A and Richard G. Burns C D
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, The Waite Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia.
B Biotechnology Research Centre, Libya, PO Box 30313, Tripoli, Libya.
C School of Agriculture and Food Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld 4072, Australia.
D Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore, Qld 4558, Australia.
E Corresponding author. Email: bannur.elmajdoub@adelaide.edu.au
Soil Research 52(6) 568-574 https://doi.org/10.1071/SR13104
Submitted: 31 March 2013 Accepted: 22 April 2014 Published: 13 August 2014
Abstract
Adaptation of soil microbes to salinity requires substantial amounts of energy. We hypothesised that addition of glucose would increase microbial activity and growth and alleviate the negative effect of salinity on microbes. An incubation experiment was conducted with four salinity levels by using one non-saline and three saline soils of similar texture (sandy clay loam), with electrical conductivities (EC1:5) of 0.1, 1.1, 3.1 and 5.2 dS m–1. Glucose was added to achieve five organic carbon concentrations (0, 0.5, 1, 2.5, 5 g C kg–1). Soluble nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) were added to achieve a carbon (C) : N ratio of 20 and a C : P ratio of 200 to ensure that these nutrients did not limit microbial growth. A water content of 50% of the water-holding capacity (optimal for microbial activity in soils of this texture) was maintained throughout the incubation. Soil respiration was measured continuously over 21 days; microbial biomass C and available N and P were determined on days 2, 5, 14 and 21. Cumulative respiration was increased by addition of glucose and was reduced by salinity. The percentage decrease in cumulative respiration in saline soils compared with non-saline soil was greatest in the unamended soil and lowest with addition of 5 g C kg–1. At this rate of C addition, the percentage decrease in cumulative respiration increased with increasing salinity level. Microbial biomass C (MBC) concentration on days 2 and 5 was strongly increased by ≥1 g C kg–1 but decreased over time with the strongest decrease at the highest C addition rate. The MBC concentration was negatively correlated with EC at all C rates at each sampling date. Addition of C resulted in N and P immobilisation in the first 5 days. Biomass turnover as a result of depletion of readily available C released previously immobilised N and P after day 5, particularly in the soils with low salinity. This study showed that over a period of 3 weeks, addition of glucose increased microbial activity and growth in saline soils and alleviated the negative impact of salinity on microbes.
Additional keywords: available N, available P, glucose, microbial biomass, respiration, salinity.
References
Anderson JM, Ingram JSI (1993) ‘Tropical soil biology and fertility: a handbook of methods.’ (CAB International: Wallingford, UK)Butterly CR, Marschner P, McNeill AM, Baldock JA (2010) Rewetting CO2 pulses in Australian agricultural soils and the influence of soil properties. Biology and Fertility of Soils 46, 739–753.
| Rewetting CO2 pulses in Australian agricultural soils and the influence of soil properties.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3cXpvVyru74%3D&md5=df0c5802970119ffd9a87f1ba212efe2CAS |
Chowdhury N, Marschner P, Burns R (2011) Response of microbial activity and community structure to decreasing soil osmotic and matric potential. Plant and Soil 344, 241–254.
| Response of microbial activity and community structure to decreasing soil osmotic and matric potential.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3MXnsVCjtLk%3D&md5=c29a93f45c429b59a9f01165b8f51109CAS |
Conde E, Cardenas M, Ponce-Mendoza A, Luna-Guido M, Cruz-Mondragón C, Dendooven L (2005) The impacts of inorganic nitrogen application on mineralization of 14C-labelled maize and glucose, and on priming effect in saline alkaline soil. Soil Biology & Biochemistry 37, 681–691.
| The impacts of inorganic nitrogen application on mineralization of 14C-labelled maize and glucose, and on priming effect in saline alkaline soil.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2MXmvFyhtw%3D%3D&md5=9d6719d558c983db32a4893d915a2aaeCAS |
Demoling F, Figueroa D, Bååth E (2007) Comparison of factors limiting bacterial growth in different soils. Soil Biology & Biochemistry 39, 2485–2495.
| Comparison of factors limiting bacterial growth in different soils.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2sXotVagt70%3D&md5=ef4e6a4f59e7b60c84219b86a6efc7efCAS |
Dendooven L, Vega-Jarquin C, Cruz-Mondragon C, Van Cleemput O, Marsch R (2006) Dynamics of inorganic nitrogen in nitrate and glucose-amended alkaline-saline soil. Plant and Soil 279, 243–252.
| Dynamics of inorganic nitrogen in nitrate and glucose-amended alkaline-saline soil.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD28XhsVaru7s%3D&md5=2b6c591d8253d54253c2efc1d7344685CAS |
Hagemann M (2011) Molecular biology of cyanobacterial salt acclimation. FEMS Microbiology Reviews 35, 87–123.
| Molecular biology of cyanobacterial salt acclimation.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3MXis1Snsg%3D%3D&md5=d883fd19183031566b9911e2fd566b40CAS | 20618868PubMed |
Hanson WC (1950) The photometric determination of phosphorus in fertilizers using the phosphovanado-molybdate complex. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture 1, 172–173.
| The photometric determination of phosphorus in fertilizers using the phosphovanado-molybdate complex.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaG3MXhslWm&md5=715b8999a672c47989f1d78d38a2fb5aCAS |
Hazelton PA, Murphy BW (2007) ‘Interpreting soil test results, what do all the numbers mean?’ 2nd edn (CSIRO Publishing: Melbourne)
Hoyle F, Murphy D, Brookes P (2008) Microbial response to the addition of glucose in low-fertility soils. Biology and Fertility of Soils 44, 571–579.
| Microbial response to the addition of glucose in low-fertility soils.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1cXitFKns7Y%3D&md5=9027bad105bbfcc2085a85aba089def4CAS |
Kitson R, Mellon M (1944) Colorimetric determination of phosphorus as molybdivanadophosphoric acid. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry. Analytical Edition 16, 379–383.
| Colorimetric determination of phosphorus as molybdivanadophosphoric acid.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaH2cXis1yruw%3D%3D&md5=40344dfd5b6458db6c74c90458e4c736CAS |
Laura RD (1974) Effects of neutral salts on carbon and nitrogen mineralisation of organic matter in soil. Plant and Soil 41, 113–127.
| Effects of neutral salts on carbon and nitrogen mineralisation of organic matter in soil.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaE2MXjtVWksw%3D%3D&md5=4903b511273404f90a9097d779d18584CAS |
Luna-Guido M, Beltrán-Hernández R, Dendooven L (2001) Dynamics of 14C-labelled glucose in alkaline saline soil. Soil Biology & Biochemistry 33, 707–719.
| Dynamics of 14C-labelled glucose in alkaline saline soil.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3MXjslWgsrw%3D&md5=e4a27091906f2b80a361dbc88b811899CAS |
Makino W, Cotner J, Sterner R, Elser J (2003) Are bacteria more like plants or animals? Growth rate and resource dependence of bacterial C: N: P stoichiometry. Functional Ecology 17, 121–130.
| Are bacteria more like plants or animals? Growth rate and resource dependence of bacterial C: N: P stoichiometry.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Marschner P (2012) ‘Marschner’s mineral nutrition of higher plants.’ 3rd edn (Elsevier: Amsterdam)
McKenzie H, Wallace HS (1954) The Kjeldahl determination of nitrogen: a critical study of digestion conditions-temperature, catalyst, and oxidizing agent. Australian Journal of Chemistry 7, 55–70.
| The Kjeldahl determination of nitrogen: a critical study of digestion conditions-temperature, catalyst, and oxidizing agent.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaG2cXjsFCrtA%3D%3D&md5=fd1489a3cb84b954b036e904cdba1275CAS |
Metternicht GI, Zinck JA (2003) Remote sensing of soil salinity: potentials and constraints. Remote Sensing of Environment 85, 1–20.
| Remote sensing of soil salinity: potentials and constraints.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Murphy J, Riley J (1962) A modified single solution method for the determination of phosphate in natural waters. Analytica Chimica Acta 27, 31–36.
| A modified single solution method for the determination of phosphate in natural waters.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaF38XksVyntr8%3D&md5=17ea13f1f165a05bfa49825c9e608460CAS |
Olsen S, Sommers L (1982) Phosphorus. In ‘Methods of soil analysis’. (Eds AL Page, RH Miller, DR Keeney) pp. 403–430. (ASA and SSSA: Madison, WI, USA)
Oren A (1999) Bioenergetic aspects of halophilism. Microbiology and Molecular Biology Reviews 63, 334–348.
Oren A (2001) The bioenergetic basis for the decrease in metabolic diversity at increasing salt concentrations: implications for the functioning of salt lake ecosystems. Hydrobiologia 466, 61–72.
Pankhurst C, Yu S, Hawke B, Harch B (2001) Capacity of fatty acid profiles and substrate utilization patterns to describe differences in soil microbial communities associated with increased salinity or alkalinity at three locations in South Australia. Biology and Fertility of Soils 33, 204–217.
| Capacity of fatty acid profiles and substrate utilization patterns to describe differences in soil microbial communities associated with increased salinity or alkalinity at three locations in South Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3MXhsFOgur8%3D&md5=4bec56d2b364ff463fcfe7460659ec7cCAS |
Pathak H, Rao DLN (1998) Carbon and nitrogen mineralization from added organic matter in saline and alkali soils. Soil Biology & Biochemistry 30, 695–702.
| Carbon and nitrogen mineralization from added organic matter in saline and alkali soils.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK1cXjsFygs7c%3D&md5=ddeae33f5b67112fbdd1781e6c0e248cCAS |
Ramirez-Fuentes E, Luna-Guido M, Ponce-Mendoza A, Van den Broeck E, Dendooven L (2002) Incorporation of glucose-14C and NH4 + in microbial biomass of alkaline saline soil. Biology and Fertility of Soils 36, 269–275.
| Incorporation of glucose-14C and NH4 + in microbial biomass of alkaline saline soil.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD38Xns1Ogtrg%3D&md5=6c137cb0e74c9449051fc204e959d71fCAS |
Rayment G, Higginson F (1992) ‘Australian laboratory handbook of soil and water chemical methods.’ (Inkata Press Pty Ltd: Sydney)
Rengasamy P (2006a) Soil salinity and sodicity. In ‘Growing crops with reclaimed wastewater’. (Ed. D Stevens) (CSIRO Publishing: Melbourne)
Rengasamy P (2006b) World salinization with emphasis on Australia. Journal of Experimental Botany 57, 1017–1023.
| World salinization with emphasis on Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD28Xis1Gls74%3D&md5=6be08e5e223303a703a6cb15c5bf00daCAS | 16510516PubMed |
Rengasamy P (2008) Salinity in the landscape: A growing problem in Australia. Geotimes 53, 34–39.
Rengasamy P, Sumner M (1998) Processes involved in sodic behavior. In ‘Sodic soils—distribution, properties, management and environmental consequences’. (Eds M Sumner, R Naidu) pp. 35–50. (Oxford University Press: New York)
Sardinha M, Müller T, Schmeisky H, Joergensen RG (2003) Microbial performance in soils along a salinity gradient under acidic conditions. Applied Soil Ecology 23, 237–244.
| Microbial performance in soils along a salinity gradient under acidic conditions.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Setia R, Marschner P, Baldock J, Chittleborough D (2010) Is CO2 evolution in saline soils affected by an osmotic effect and calcium carbonate? Biology and Fertility of Soils 46, 781–792.
| Is CO2 evolution in saline soils affected by an osmotic effect and calcium carbonate?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3cXhtF2ru7nJ&md5=8f946d3b41b58cdbe96b97b4c20d9d43CAS |
Setia R, Smith P, Marschner P, Baldock J, Chittleborough D, Smith J (2011) Introducing a decomposition rate modifier in the Rothamsted carbon model to predict soil organic carbon stocks in saline soils. Environmental Science & Technology 45, 6396–6403.
| Introducing a decomposition rate modifier in the Rothamsted carbon model to predict soil organic carbon stocks in saline soils.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3MXot1agu7Y%3D&md5=e11af8f9cff8e6c5b6d3abbbc3389f5eCAS |
Shainberg I, Letey J (1984) Response of soils to sodic and saline conditions. Hilgardia 52, 1–57.
Stevenson FJ, Cole MA (1999) ‘Cycles of soil: carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur, micronutrients.’ 2nd edn (John Wiley & Sons Inc.: New York)
Sylvia D, Fuhrmann J, Hartel P, Zuberer D (Eds) (1999) ‘Principles and applications of soil microbiology.’ 2nd edn (Prentice Hall: Upper Saddle River, NJ, USA)
Tezuka Y (1990) Bacterial regeneration of ammonium and phosphate as affected by the carbon: nitrogen: phosphorus ratio of organic substrates. Microbial Ecology 19, 227–238.
| Bacterial regeneration of ammonium and phosphate as affected by the carbon: nitrogen: phosphorus ratio of organic substrates.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK3cXlvVOktbg%3D&md5=fcee8eb403adc9570ab5673f79fe01adCAS | 24196360PubMed |
Thanh Nguyen B, Marschner P (2005) Effect of drying and rewetting on phosphorus transformations in red brown soils with different soil organic matter content. Soil Biology & Biochemistry 37, 1573–1576.
| Effect of drying and rewetting on phosphorus transformations in red brown soils with different soil organic matter content.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Tripathi S, Kumari S, Chakraborty A, Gupta A, Chakrabarti K, Bandyapadhyay BK (2006) Microbial biomass and its activities in salt-affected coastal soils. Biology and Fertility of Soils 42, 273–277.
| Microbial biomass and its activities in salt-affected coastal soils.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Vance E, Brookes P, Jenkinson D (1987) An extraction method for measuring soil microbial biomass C. Soil Biology & Biochemistry 19, 703–707.
| An extraction method for measuring soil microbial biomass C.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaL1cXjs1KqsA%3D%3D&md5=619d5036dacd709b54824b460cae8c88CAS |
Vega-Jarquin C, Garcia-Mendoza M, Jablonowski N, Luna-Guido M, Dendooven L (2003) Rapid immobilization of applied nitrogen in saline–alkaline soils. Plant and Soil 256, 379–388.
| Rapid immobilization of applied nitrogen in saline–alkaline soils.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3sXotV2jt74%3D&md5=46fbcdf30d7ab3ff3bfdfb772199c753CAS |
Walkley A, Black IA (1934) An examination of the Degtjareff method for determining soil organic matter, and a proposed modification of the chromic acid titration method. Soil Science 37, 29–38.
| An examination of the Degtjareff method for determining soil organic matter, and a proposed modification of the chromic acid titration method.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaA2cXitlGmug%3D%3D&md5=32605e0b379908221e034d7bb6ef30b6CAS |
Yuan B-C, Li Z-Z, Liu H, Gao M, Zhang Y-Y (2007) Microbial biomass and activity in salt affected soils under arid conditions. Applied Soil Ecology 35, 319–328.
| Microbial biomass and activity in salt affected soils under arid conditions.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
