Functional stoichiometry of soil microbial communities after amendment with stabilised organic matter

Abstract

The transformation of organic matter amendments in the soil is regulated by soil microbial communities. We examined the utility of ecological and functional stoichiometry theories to explain microbial transformation of organic amendments in the soil and examined the key relationships between soil microbial community composition, biomass and activity with resource elemental composition (soil and organic input) and nutrient availability. Using two contrasting soils amended with raw green waste, its compost or biochar, we found that microbial PLFA composition was distinct for each soil and organic amendment. Microbial activity was strongly influenced by organic amendment. Further, we observed t..