Abstract
Soil carbohydrates, which include polysaccharides, are partly of microbial origin, contributing to soil structure and improving soil aggregates. This study examined the effect of climate along a topoclimatic gradient in the Judean desert. Soil was sampled at four locations representing different abiotic environments along the transect during the 1994 and 1995 study period. Significant differences in soil organic matter between the locations were obtained, decreasing towards the dry extreme desert sites. Carbohydrates, which probably are mainly composed of microbial extracellular polysaccharides, were found to increase during the dry season reaching maximum values by the end of autumn. The spatial and temporal changes in carbohydrate content are of great importance, representing biological activity that contributes to bonding between soil particles and helps promote nutrient accessibility to microorganisms. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: 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.
