Microbial Biomass Soil Content and Activity Under Black Alder and Sessile Oak in the Western Black Sea Region of Turkey

Abstract

Tree species have a remarkable impression on the physical, chemical and microbial properties of the soil. Some tree species like alders create a favorable environment for microbes in their soil–root interface in addition to carrying out soil reclamation. This study, conducted in the Western Black Sea Region of Turkey, compared the N-fixing in the roots of the black alder [Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn.] and the non-N-fixing in those of the sessile oak [Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl.] species in terms of physical, chemical and microbiological soil characteristics. Samples of topsoil (0–6.5 cm) were collected randomly from under the black alder and the sessile oak trees, respectively, at seven different sites in the study area. Soil microbial biomass C and N were established by the chloroform fumigation extraction method. Basal respiration of soil was retained by the sodium hydroxide (NaOH) trap method. Contrary to expectations, the average organic C (2.59%), total N (0.22%), microbial biomass C (738.48 µg g−1) and N (99.56 µg g−1) were higher under the sessile oak trees, demonstrating the positive effect of sessile oak on soil microflora. The black alder and sessile oak tree soils exhibited significant differences in their content of organic C (Corg), total N, microbial biomass C (Cmic), and N. In addition, significant positive linear correlations were found between organic C and microbial biomass C, and also between organic C and basal respiration; however, the correlation between the metabolic quotient (qCO2) and Cmic/Corg percentages was negative for the black alder and sessile oak (r = − 0.589 and r = − 0.474, respectively), likely due to the fact that relatively more C was being utilized for growth than for respiration. These results indicated that, compared to the sessile oak, the relatively lower organic C and total N and subsequently, the microbial biomass C and N content under the black alder were most likely due to shallow and deep groundwater flow and thus, the loss of plant nutrients was probably brought about by weathering.