The microbial biomass (MB) is both a source and sink of the nutrients C, N, P and S held in the organic matter. I want to test the effects of nanoparticle on soil microbial biomass. Which method should I use to check the MB? In previous literature, mostly scientist uses the C or N with fumigation-extraction-based techniques. I am wondering why they did not use P? What is the relationship between microbial biomass and the elements C, N, P and S? I am pretty much confused about the conversion factor. Which conversion factor should use to convert soil organic carbon into soil microbial biomass carbon?
The most effective and efficient method would be to assess soil microbial biomass through soil DNA recovery...
Extracting DNA from soil and/or determining the biomass might depend on lot of factors which might not be the perfect in your case. if you really want to do the kind of experiment you mentioned and biomass is critical.... use autoclaved/sterile soil and construct an artificial microbiome in soil for the initial experiments.
According to my opinion, the fumigation method of microbial biomass estimation is very cost effective. It appears to me that there are positive relationships between microbial biomass and nutritional components present in the system.
- Badges
- Science topic
- Similar topics
- Agriculture
- Horticulture
- Seeds