Shift in microbial biomass, soil and microbial stoichiometry in different land uses of Northeast India

Abstract

The change in soil microbial biomass and stoichiometry in different land uses of Northeast India were assessed by using the fumigation extraction method. The pattern of microbial biomass C, N, and P followed the sequence of forest (650.36, 62.86 and 254.54μgg−1) > grassland (62.86, 39.30 and 31.76 μgg−1> cropland (31.84,18.62 and 15.54 μgg−1), and exhibits seasonality with the lowest concentrations during the winter season across all land uses. The maximum concentrations were recorded during the rainy season in the forest and the summer season in both grassland and cropland. Microbial ratios (C: N, C: P and N: P) and proportions of microbial biomass to total soil nutrients vary with a variance in land use types. Soil microbial biomass exhibited a positive significant relation with soil nutrients but negatively related with soil temperature and moisture in all the study sites. Two-way ANOVA of soil microbial biomass exhibits significant differences due to seasons and land use types (p< 0.01). The microbial stoichiometry of the present study indicates N limitations in the study sites, while the proportion of microbial nutrients to total soil nutrients reveals nutrient mineralization in the forest and immobilization and competition in grassland and cropland. Furthermore, this study indicates that landuse and soil management practices interfere with microbial stoichiometry and nutrient release and immobilization patterns. Improving the retention of organic matter in ecosystems may enhance microbial activity and soil health.