Influence of fluctuating temperature on soil microflora.
The effect of different constant and "square-wave" fluctuating temperatures on the soil microflora was studied in laboratory experiments. The growth of soil microorganisms was higher at lower temperatures, indicating the higher degree of substrate immobilization and the better energy economy of the soil bionta. Microbial counts were slightly higher after five days of incubation at fluctuating temperatures than those obtained at a constant mean temperature. It was important whether the fluctuation started at lower or at higher temperatures. At a fluctuating temperature the amount of nitrates decreased compared to the amount at a constant temperature. The development dynamics of soil microorganisms was accelerated by the fluctuation of temperature as judged by nitrogen transformation and simultaneous changes in microbial counts.
D009566:Nitrates / Q000378:metabolism; D009586:Nitrogen Fixation; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds / Q000378:metabolism; D012988:Soil Microbiology; D013696:Temperature
D009566:Nitrates; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds