Microbial biomass reflects a nitrogen and phosphorous economy of halophytes grown in salty desert soil

Seasonal variations in soil salinity were recorded under the canopy of two halophyte shrubs typical of the hot, dry Negev desert, Zygophyllum dumosum and Reaumuria negevensis. The effects of the fluctuating soil salinity levels on total soluble N and on microbial biomass N and P were also monitored....

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published inBiology and fertility of soils Vol. 21; no. 1/2; pp. 128 - 130
Main Authors Sarig, S, Fliessbach, A, Steinberger, Y
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published 1996
Subjects
biological activity in soil
biomass
desert soils
ecology
ecophysiology
halophytes
immobilization
interactions
nitrogen
nutrient availability
phosphorus
plant physiology
reaumuria negevensis
saline soils
seasonal variation
soil fertility
soil microorganisms
soil salinity
Tamaricaceae
Zygophyllum dumosum
Israel
Online AccessGet more information

Cover

More Information
Summary:Seasonal variations in soil salinity were recorded under the canopy of two halophyte shrubs typical of the hot, dry Negev desert, Zygophyllum dumosum and Reaumuria negevensis. The effects of the fluctuating soil salinity levels on total soluble N and on microbial biomass N and P were also monitored. The microhabitat of the shrubs showed differences in trend and magnitude of soil mineral N, the NO3- : NH4+ ratio, and microbial N and P. The trends were assumed to be governed by the various mechanisms operating in the shrubs in order to survive salty environments. Data from the current study are discussed in terms of the assumption that the halophyte has developed ecophysiological strategies that force microbial communities coexisting in its micro-habitat towards adaptation aimed at withstanding a fluctuating environment, and hence towards a beneficial plant-microorganism relationship.
ISSN:0178-2762
1432-0789
DOI:10.1007/BF00336004