engleski

Biofilm forming ability of the soil microbial community respond differently to the drying-rewetting stress between plant cover types

Soil moisture content is a very important factor which influences soil microbial community in many ways. Although many aspects of this relation have been thoroughly investigated over the decades, the impact of the soil moisture on the biofilm formation has not been studied yet. Higher biofilm forming ability (BFA) could provide advantage in colonization of new resources, or it could provide higher protection from desiccation by extracellular polymeric substances which form the biofilm matrix. The aim of this investigation was to compare biofilm formation between soil samples collected from the same soil type (gley) but under different plant coverage (Quercus robur and Phragmites communis), after these samples were submitted to the drying-rewetting stress. Different plant coverage also indicates different hydrological history of two neighbouring areas. Drying was conducted over four days and four weeks, while rewetting was conducted during four days. The results suggest higher BFA (crystal violet test) of the forest soil samples after four weeks of drying. Microbial dehydrogenase activity per unit of biofilm biomass was always higher in forest soil samples. Such results indicate better adaptation (e.g. physiological and/or community structure) of the forest microbial community to desiccation. To which extent different hydrological history vs. plant cover type contribute to such results are going to be further investigated. The results of this investigation could serve as a guideline for further investigations of BFA in different soils and plant coverages.

Soil; biofilm forming ability; drying-rewetting stress

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