Abstract
An incubation experiment was carried out with the objective of assessing the short-term effects of sodium salts with different anions (Cl–, SO42–, HCO3–), saline and non-saline inoculants, and two temperature levels (20°C and 40°C) on microbial activity and biomass indices, using sterile quartz sand amended with sugarcane filter cake. Addition of NaCl significantly decreased CO2 production, O2 consumption, and ergosterol content; addition of Na2SO4 increased microbial biomass N, whereas addition of Na2CO3 increased the contents of K2SO4 extractable C and N. The inoculation with a saline soil significantly reduced respiration and resulted in higher respiratory quotients (RQ) as well as higher contents of microbial biomass and ergosterol. The rise in temperature increased CO2 production (+60%) and O2 consumption (+93%), leading to a 13% decrease in RQ values. The rise in temperature also led to significant increases in the contents of extractable C (+30%) and N (+42%) as well as ergosterol (+64%). The increased RQ values and the specific decline of extractable C and N in the bicarbonate treatment revealed the increased use of the mobile fraction by microorganisms, especially fungi adapted to saline and alkaline conditions.
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