Spatial variation in edaphic characteristics is a stronger control than nitrogen inputs in regulating soil microbial effects on a desert grass

Chung, Y. Anny; Sinsabaugh, Robert L.; Kuske, Cheryl Rae; Reed, Sasha C.; Rudgers, Jennifer A.

doi:10.1016/j.jaridenv.2017.03.005

Spatial variation in edaphic characteristics is a stronger control than nitrogen inputs in regulating soil microbial effects on a desert grass

Journal Article · Wed Mar 22 00:00:00 EDT 2017 · Journal of Arid Environments

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaridenv.2017.03.005· OSTI ID:1351204

Chung, Y. Anny ^[1]; Sinsabaugh, Robert L. ^[1]; ^[2]; Reed, Sasha C. ^[3]; Rudgers, Jennifer A. ^[1]

Univ. of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM (United States). Dept. of Biology
Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
U.S. Geological Survey, Moab, UT (United States). Southwest Biological Science Center

Increased atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition can have wide-ranging effects on plant community structure and ecosystem function, some of which may be indirectly mediated by soil microbial responses to an altered biogeochemical environment. In this study, soils from a field N fertilization experiment that spanned a soil texture gradient were used as inocula in the greenhouse to assess the indirect effects of soil microbial communities on growth of a desert grass. Plant performance and interaction with soil microbiota were evaluated via plant above- and belowground biomass, leaf N concentration, and root fungal colonization. Nitrogen fertilization in the field increased the benefits of soil microbial inoculation to plant leaf N concentration, but did not alter the effect of soil microbes on plant growth. Plant-microbe interaction outcomes differed most strongly among sites with different soil textures, where the soil microbial community from the sandiest site was most beneficial to host plant growth. In conclusion, the findings of this study suggest that in a desert grassland, increases in atmospheric N deposition may exert a more subtle influence on plant-microbe interactions by altering plant nutrient status, whereas edaphic factors can alter the whole-plant growth response to soil microbial associates.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Science (SC), Biological and Environmental Research (BER) (SC-23)

Grant/Contract Number:: AC52-06NA25396

OSTI ID:: 1351204

Report Number(s):: LA-UR-17-22348

Journal Information:: Journal of Arid Environments, Journal Name: Journal of Arid Environments Journal Issue: C Vol. 142; ISSN 0140-1963

Publisher:: ElsevierCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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