The Impact of Pasture Systems on Soil Microbial Biomass and Community‐level Physiological Profiles

Abstract

AbstractThe intensive use of soil for pasture establishment has promoted land degradation. However, well‐managed pasture systems may contribute to the improvement of the soil biological properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the soil microbial biomass, enzymes activity, and catabolic diversity under six different pastures: Andropogon gayanus, Brachiaria brizantha, Panicum maximum, Cynodon dactilon, agroforestry system, and native vegetation. Soil microbial biomass was estimated by the fumigation‐extraction method, while enzyme activity was determined through substrate use. The catabolic diversity was evaluated by the community‐level physiological profiling method. Microbial biomass C was higher in the soils under the agroforestry system and native vegetation, whereas microbial biomass N was higher in the soil under Brachiaria. Acid phosphatase activity and fluorescein diacetate hydrolysis were higher in agroforestry system and native vegetation, respectively. Dehydrogenase activity was higher in the soil under Brachiaria and Cynodon. Richness and diversity of community‐level physiological profiling were higher in the soils under the agroforestry system and native vegetation. The highest numbers of C sources metabolized by microorganisms were found in the agroforestry system and native vegetation. This study showed that soil microbial community from pasture systems subjected to different management showed different biomass, activity, and catabolic diversity. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.