Kinetics of amino sugar formation from organic residues of different quality

• Published in: Soil biology & biochemistry Vol. 57; pp. 814 - 821
• Main Authors: Bai, Zhen, Bodé, Samuel, Huygens, Dries, Zhang, Xudong, Boeckx, Pascal
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier Ltd 01.02.2013; Elsevier
• Subjects: Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Amino sugar; Biochemistry and biology; Biological and medical sciences; biomarkers; carbon dioxide; Carbon-13; cell wall components; cell walls; Chemical, physicochemical, biochemical and biological properties; Cropping systems. Cultivation. Soil tillage; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; galactosamine; General agronomy. Plant production; glucosamine; Kinetics; LC–IRMS; leaves; Luvisols; mass spectrometry; microbial communities; no-tillage; Organic residue; Physics, chemistry, biochemistry and biology of agricultural and forest soils; plant residues; soil microorganisms; soil quality; Soil science; Soil tillage; Tillage; Tillage. Tending. Growth control; Triticum aestivum; wheat; Organic residue; Carbon-13; Kinetics; Tillage; Amino sugar; LC–IRMS; Organic waste; Soil tillage; C-13; LC―IRMS; Soil science; Aminosugar
• ISSN: 0038-0717; 1879-3428
• DOI: 10.1016/j.soilbio.2012.08.006

Amino sugars are key compounds of microbial cell walls, which have been widely used as biomarker of microbial residues to investigate soil microbial communities and organic residue cycling processes. However, the formation dynamics of amino sugar is not well understood. In this study, two agricultural Luvisols under distinct tillage managements were amended with uniformly 13C-labeled wheat residues of different quality (grain, leaf and root). The isotopic composition of individual amino sugars and CO2 emission were measured over a 21-day incubation period using liquid chromatography–isotope ratio mass spectrometry (LC–IRMS) and trace gas IRMS. Results showed that, the amount of residue derived amino sugars increased exponentially and reached a maximum within days after residue addition. Glucosamine and galactosamine followed different formation kinetics. The maxima of residue derived amino sugars formation ranged from 14 nmol g−1 dry soil for galactosamine (0.8% of the original concentration) to 319 nmol g−1 dry soil for glucosamine (11% of the original concentration). Mean production times of residue derived amino sugars ranged from 2.1 to 9.3 days for glucosamine and galactosamine, respectively. In general, larger amounts of amino sugars were formed at a higher rate with increasing plant residue quality. The microbial community of the no-till soil was better adapted to assimilate low quality plant residues (i.e. leaf and root). All together, the formation dynamics of microbial cell wall components was component-specific and determined by residue quality and soil microbial community. ► We applied 13C-labeled plant residues, and measured δ13C of amino sugars (AS) and respired CO2. ► Residue derived AS increased exponentially and reached a maximum within days. ► Formation kinetics was dependant of AS type, residue quality and soil tillage history. ► The bacterial community seemed to play a more prominent role for early stage incorporation of residue-derived carbon. ► The fungal community appeared to be better adapted to incorporate more carbon from more recalcitrant sources.