Relationships between the properties of Spitsbergen soil, number and biodiversity of rhizosphere microorganisms, and heavy metal concentration in selected plant species

Abstract

Aims The aim of this study was to cross correlate data on physico-chemical parameters of soil with rhizosphere microorganisms and plant species in order to gain more knowledge about formation of soil and development of

Physiological Diversity of Spitsbergen Soil Microbial Communities Suggests Their Potential as Plant Growth-Promoting Bacteria

“…On the basis of the above mentioned statement, the level of ACCD activity in our experimental samples predominantly showed that microorganisms were growing under stressful environmental conditions (e.g., isolates numbers 58, 6, 27, 29, 67, 87, 85, 23, and 46) and were similar to levels demonstrated by Acuña et al [ 45 ]. In contrast with Zhao et al [ 46 ], we did not detect correlation between pH of the soil and the highest ACCD activity, but in our samples the pH was lower, being in the range from 7.8 to 5.1, and did not exceed 8.0 [ 25 ]. Therefore, we have not detected strong soil alkalization, which occurs as a consequence of changes of ion fluxes across the plasma membrane caused by rapid production of ACC and ET [ 47 ].…”

“…DH activity is closely related to the carbon and nitrogen cycles and biological oxidation of soil organic matter, therefore its elevation was detected in good quality soils, and the lowest values were in poor quality acidic soils [ 36 , 37 ]. Our research did not prove the strong dependence between pH of soil [ 25 ] and DH activity ( Figure 5 ). Increase in DH activity (LN-3, REIN-1, CAL-4) may represent and stimulate soil microbial activity and number ( Figure 1 A), and as a result increase the quantities and qualities of nutrients available to plants, demonstrated in the elevation of AWCD and catabolic diversity presented by NUSE, H, or R indicators ( Figure 4 , Figure 5 B, Figure 8 C), which was also observed by He et al [ 38 ].…”

“…The status and productivity of the soil system depends upon the structure and functions of soil microbial communities [ 23 , 24 ]. The soil environment of Spitsbergen is dynamic and variable against the severe climate conditions [ 25 ]. In the face of changing environmental conditions, microorganisms can rapidly modify their biomass, metabolic activity, and community structure and diversity due to high adaptability and plasticity [ 26 ].…”

“…Meteorological data of Spitsbergen predict continued climate warming [ 25 ], which could lead to decomposition of the previously-frozen stores of organic carbon, mainly driven by microbial communities [ 2 ]. Permafrost microorganisms are able to grow not only in cold temperatures, but also at 20 °C, which indicates that they are not mainly psychrophiles, specialists with a temperature-restricted niche, but rather psychrotolerant microorganisms [ 2 , 25 ]. The physiological diversity of Spitsbergen soil bacteria is limited to a few studies [ 27 ].…”

Can root-associated fungi mediate the impact of abiotic conditions on the growth of a High Arctic herb?

“…These could be other edaphic factors not included in this study (e.g. phosphorus 84 or heavy metal concentrations 85 , competition 75,86 or other factors that historically impacted the community assembly 87 . Nevertheless, the fact that arctic ectomycorrhizal RAF display little or no affinity to host species 88 suggests that the fungal contribution to plants reflects mitigation of effects of locality-specific conditions, rather than individual species needs.…”