Abstract
Soil microbial communities and plants are intimately associated and each can regulate the growth and specific composition of the other through relationships such as competition and symbiosis. Such links between the above and belowground components of soil ecosystems are important as they determine the functioning of key ecosystem processes, including decomposition and nutrient cycling. In the present study, we used structural equation models to investigate the direct and indirect effects of plant community properties (richness, evenness and net primary productivity) and of soil nutrient pools (C, N and P) on the biomass of rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere bacteria and fungi. The biomass of rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere bacteria and fungi was mainly determined by the organic matter content. More importantly, nutrient pools were not modulated by plant communities and we did not find any evidence of a link between aboveground and belowground components of soil systems in this respect. The findings indicate that aboveground and belowground components of the soil system are not directly linked and that any potential relationships will be mediated by the effects of aboveground components in nutrient pools.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.