Three decades of soil microbial biomass studies in Brazilian ecosystems: Lessons learned about soil quality and indications for improving sustainability

• Published in: Soil biology & biochemistry Vol. 42; no. 1; pp. 1 - 13
• Main Authors: Kaschuk, Glaciela, Alberton, Odair, Hungria, Mariangela
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 2010
• Subjects: Agriculture intensification; agrochemicals; application rate; biodegradation; biogeochemical cycles; Brazil; carbon dioxide; crop rotation; industrial wastes; literature reviews; microbial ecology; Microbial functionality; Nutrient cycling; organic fertilizers; organic production; overgrazing; pastures; prescribed burning; sewage sludge; Soil disturbance; soil ecology; soil fertility; soil management; Soil microbial biomass; soil microorganisms; soil organic carbon; soil quality; soil respiration; soil texture; tillage; Brazil; Microbial functionality; Nutrient cycling; Soil disturbance; Agriculture intensification; Soil microbial biomass

Soil microbial biomass plays important roles in nutrient cycling, plant–pathogen suppression, decomposition of residues and degradation of pollutants; therefore, it is often regarded as a good indicator of soil quality. We reviewed more than a hundred studies in which microbial biomass-C (MB-C), mic...