Microbial community structure in pasture and hayfield soils of the Helderberg region of New York State: a comparison of management strategies

Abstract

ABSTRACTMicrobial communities in pasture and hayfield soils in upstate New York were studied to ascertain how land and livestock management practices influence microbial community structure. Three management approaches were compared: conventional pasture management (CM; low livestock density, low rotation frequency), multi-paddock management (MP; high livestock density, high rotation frequency) and mowing for hay (no livestock). Microbial functional groups were quantified by PLFA analysis. Soil attributes were measured, and management details were obtained by interviewing landowners. Microbial biomass in MP soils was higher, more diverse and contained proportionately more fungal (F) than bacterial (B) biomass than did CM and hayfield soils. Microbial biomass, diversity and F:B ratios in CM and hayfield soils were not different. Multivariate analyses suggest that different variables control microbial community structure in MP and CM soils.