Influence of compost and lime on population structure and element concentrations of forest soil invertebrates

Evaluation of root effects on soil organisms under different fertilization regimes by comparing rhizosphere and interrow soil in a wheat field

“…Lindberg and Persson (2004) reported that the application of ammonium nitrate in solid form decreased the population density of mesostigmatid mites, whereas application in liquid form increased collembolan numbers. The application of organic matter generally increases the numbers of nematodes (Opperman et al 1993, Verhoeven 2001) and microarthropods (Mueller et al 1993, Miyazawa et al 2002 by supplying various nutrients, enhancing plant growth, and altering soil conditions. In the present study, however, in the OF plots the population density of nematodes was small in spite of the high microbial SIR.…”

“…Application of inorganic and organic fertilizers can indirectly but positively affect soil microbes and animals by increasing plant growth and stimulating root exudation, both of which lead to a greater input of organic substrates. Community structure and body size of soil organisms are also affected by fertilization (Mueller et al 1993, Verschoor et al 2001.…”