Premium
Calculation of Microbial Maintenance Rates and Net Nitrogen Mineralization in Soil at Steady‐state
Author(s) -
Smith J. L.,
McNeal B. L.,
Cheng H. H.,
Campbell G. S.
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
soil science society of america journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.836
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1435-0661
pISSN - 0361-5995
DOI - 10.2136/sssaj1986.03615995005000020016x
Subject(s) - mineralization (soil science) , soil water , biomass (ecology) , environmental science , nitrogen , nitrogen cycle , soil science , incubation , ecosystem , nitrification , chemistry , environmental chemistry , ecology , biology , biochemistry , organic chemistry
Product formation equations were used for the calculation of specific maintenance energy rates for soil microbial biomass and incorporated into a conceptual model for maintenance C flow. The model separates active and sustaining biomass and includes considerations for endogenous catabolism, cryptic growth, and microbial death. Coupling of the model with product formation equations enabled the calculation of specific maintenance rates for five soils, using data from a 60‐d incubation. Calculated maintenance rates were approximately half the values commonly reported for soils and used in ecosystem models. With the use of the calculated specific maintenance rates, the conceptual model and data from a 60‐d incubation, the net soil N mineralized during the steady‐state period could also be calculated. The resultant C/N ratio of the biomass formed during this period was 7.6. Calculations involving N provided verification of the maintenance rate calculations and of the validity of the conceptual model.