Effect of monospecific and mixed litters on bacterial communities' structure and functions under contrasting Mediterranean climate conditions

Kheir, Maya; Lerch, Thomas Z.; Borsali, Amine Habib; Roche, Philip; Ziarelli, Fabio; Zouidi, Mohamed; Silva, Anne Marie Farnet da

doi:10.1016/j.apsoil.2020.103681

Cited by 6 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 72 publications

(115 reference statements)

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“…In this study, we investigated two types of FFL differing in the initial litters used and climatic context. Indeed, it has been shown that mixing litters from different trees can potentially maximize the diversity of nutrient resources and consequently, favor microbial diversity [ 22 ], but this effect strongly varied according to the climate context [ 23 , 24 ]. Here, we hypothesized that the more chemically dissimilar the litters used, the higher the microbial diversity in the FFL.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Chemical and Microbial Characterization of Fermented Forest Litters Used as Biofertilizers

et al. 2023

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The excessive use of chemicals in intensive agriculture has had a negative impact on soil diversity and fertility. A strategy for developing sustainable agriculture could rely on the use of microbial-based fertilizers, known as biofertilizers. An alternative to marketed products could be offered to small farmers if they could produce their own biofertilizers using forest litters, which harbor one of the highest microbial diversities. The aim of this study is to characterize microbial communities of Fermented Forest Litters (FFL), assuming that the fermentation process will change both their abundance and diversity. We investigated two types of differing in the chemical composition of the initial litters used and the climatic context of the forest where they are originated from. The abundance and diversity of bacterial and fungal communities were assessed using quantitative PCR and molecular genotyping techniques. The litter chemical compositions were compared before and after fermentation using Infrared spectrometry. Results obtained showed that fermentation increased the abundance of bacteria but decreased that of fungi. Low pH and change in organic matter composition observed after fermentation also significantly reduced the α-diversity of both bacterial and fungal communities. The higher proportion of aliphatic molecules and lower C/N of the FFLs compared to initial litters indicate that FFLs should be rapidly decomposed once added into the soil. This preliminary study suggests that the agronomic interest of FFLs used as biofertilizers is probably more related to the contribution of nutrients easily assimilated by plants than to the diversity of microorganisms that compose it. Further studies must be conducted with sequencing techniques to identify precisely the microbial species likely to be beneficial to plant growth.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Chemical and Microbial Characterization of Fermented Forest Litters Used as Biofertilizers

et al. 2023

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Photodegradation of typical Mediterranean plant litters: variations with Quercus species and the leaf-surface exposed

et al. 2022

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Photodegradation can play a key role in litter decomposition under the context of climate change which hinders organic matter turnover because of available water scarcity. Here, we aimed at testing the effect of a two-month sunlight exposure with different radiation intensities (either in winter or summer) on the chemical signature of two typical Mediterranean species, i.e., Quercus ilex and Q. pubescens. We also tested whether the side of the leaf exposed mattered in the chemical modification observed. To do so, two holistic chemical approaches, FTIR-ATR (Fourier transform infraredattenuated total reflectance) and solid-state NMR of 13C, were used. ANOVA from solid-state NMR of 13C revealed that after exposure in summer, certain markers of lignin (phenol and aromatics) decreased in leaves whatever the Quercus spp. and it depended on the side of the leaf exposed. Lignin transformation thus occurred via dearomatization and/or dephenolization. Moreover, for both species, when leaves were exposed at their topside, their NMR chemical signatures were negatively correlated with alkyl assigned to cutin and waxes, showing that the thin layer of cuticle was attacked by photodegradation. FTIR-ATR spectra and NMR data also highlighted that a weaker irradiation (winter vs summer exposure) strongly limited lignin content decrease. Finally, lignin, cutin and wax oxidation, by enhancing the availability of polysaccharides from lignocellulose, may favor further litter transformation when suitable climate conditions (mainly humidity) are recovered.

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Composted biochar versus compost with biochar: effects on soil properties and plant growth

Mikajlo,

Lerch,

Louvel

et al. 2024

Biochar

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Biochar is widely recognized as an amendment that enhances soil properties and sequesters carbon, particularly in degraded soils. However, biochar applied solely to soil may also hinder plant development due to toxic by-products generated during pyrolysis or nutrient retention. To mitigate these adverse effects, it has been suggested to either mix biochar with compost or to process it by composting with fresh organic materials. To date, there is a lack of comparative studies evaluating the performance of these two approaches. In this study, three types of biochar, differing in their initial feedstocks (beech wood, hornbeam/beech/oak mixture, and digestate/cereal straw mixture), were investigated. These biochars were applied solely, mixed with green waste compost, or processed as composted biochar in two soils of different fertility (a Luvisol and a gleyic Fluvisol). A pot experiment was conducted under controlled conditions where lettuce was grown for three months. After harvesting, plant biomass, and soil microbial and physicochemical properties were measured. Composted biochar and compost additives maintained a neutral soil pH, contrary to biochar applied solely or mixed with compost. The dissolved organic carbon and total nitrogen were higher in composted biochar treatments, leading to a higher proportion of humified material with a high degree of condensed aromatic groups compared to other treatments. Microbial activities were higher in the composted biochar treatments compared to those in the compost with biochar, and more specifically in the less fertile Luvisol. Finally, composted biochar increased plant growth by almost six times compared to the control without amendments, whereas the mix of biochar and compost increased it by only three times. Solely applied biochars did not affect lettuce growth. This study demonstrates that biochar composting is more beneficial than mixing biochar with compost in terms of improving soil fertility and mitigating the negative effects associated with pure biochar application. Graphical Abstract

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Effect of monospecific and mixed litters on bacterial communities' structure and functions under contrasting Mediterranean climate conditions

Cited by 6 publications

References 72 publications

Chemical and Microbial Characterization of Fermented Forest Litters Used as Biofertilizers

Chemical and Microbial Characterization of Fermented Forest Litters Used as Biofertilizers

Photodegradation of typical Mediterranean plant litters: variations with Quercus species and the leaf-surface exposed

Composted biochar versus compost with biochar: effects on soil properties and plant growth

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