Legume and gramineous crop residues stimulate distinct soil bacterial populations during early decomposition stages

Abstract

This study characterized the genetic structure of the active soil bacterial populations involved in the decomposition of maize and soybean residues over 3 d. Significant compositional differences between the total bacterial community and its active component were observed that were residue specific, suggesting that residue management should be further evaluated as a driver of soil C cycle through selection of bacterial populations.Key words: 16S rRNA DGGE, active bacterial community, organic matter, crop residue