Compositional differences in simulated root exudates elicit a limited functional and compositional response in soil microbial communities

• Main Authors: Michael S Strickland, Rebecca Lynne McCulley, Jim eNelson, Mark Alexander Bradford
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2015-08-01
• Series: Frontiers in Microbiology
• Subjects: History; land cover; microbial community composition; root exudates; Microbial community function; Land use legacies
• Online Access: http://journal.frontiersin.org/Journal/10.3389/fmicb.2015.00817/full

Inputs of low molecular weight carbon (LMW-C) to soil −primarily via root exudates− are expected to be a major driver of microbial activity and source of stable soil organic carbon. It is expected that variation in the type and composition of LMW-C entering soil will influence microbial community composition and function. If this is the case then short-term changes in LMW-C inputs may alter processes regulated by these communities. To determine if change in the composition of LMW-C inputs influences microbial community function and composition, we conducted a 90 day microcosm experiment whereby soils sourced from three different land covers (meadows, deciduous forests, and white pine stands) were amended, at low concentrations, with one of eight simulated root exudate treatments. Treatments included no addition of LMW-C, and the full factorial combination of glucose, glycine, and oxalic acid. After 90 days, we conducted a functional response assay and determined microbial composition via phospholipid fatty acid analysis. Whereas we noted a statistically significant effect of exudate treatments, this only accounted for ~3% of the variation observed in function. In comparison, land cover and site explained ~46 and ~41% of the variation, respectively. This suggests that exudate composition has little influence on function