Identification of bacteria and fungi responsible for litter decomposition in desert steppes via combined DNA stable isotope probing

In this study, DNA stable isotope probing (DNA-SIP) was used to study changes in soil bacterial and fungal community composition and function during 8 weeks of culture of 13C-labeled litter in desert steppes.ResultsThe results were as follows: (1) Actinomycetota, Pseudomonadota, and Ascomycota are the main microorganisms involved in litter decomposition in desert steppes; (2) N deposition (50 kg ha−1 year−1) significantly increased the relative abundance of some microorganisms involved in the decomposition process; and (3) N deposition likely promotes litter decomposition in desert steppes by increasing the abundances of N cycles bacteria (usually carrying GH family functional genes).DiscussionThese findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the C assimilation mechanisms associated with litter residue production, emphasizing the importance of extensive C utilization.
Source: Frontiers in Microbiology - Category: Microbiology Source Type: research