TY - JOUR

T1 - The effect of collembolan grazing on fungal activity in differently managed upland pastures: A microcosm study.

AU - Bardgett, R. D.

AU - Frankland, J. C.

AU - Whittaker, J. B.

PY - 1993/10

Y1 - 1993/10

N2 - Laboratory microcosms containing litter from three tussock grasslands were used to assess the impact of grazing by a collembolan, Onychiurus procampatus, on the abundance, nutrient release, and respiration of the saprotrophic fungus, Phoma exigua. The fungal biomass and respiration rate were significantly reduced only when Collembola were present in excess of mean field densities but perhaps more typical of spatial aggregations in the soil. A high efficiency of nutrient immobilization by P. exigua was demonstrated but nutrient release was not significantly affected by the fauna. Problems associated with the use of microcosms in the simulation of field conditions are discussed.

AB - Laboratory microcosms containing litter from three tussock grasslands were used to assess the impact of grazing by a collembolan, Onychiurus procampatus, on the abundance, nutrient release, and respiration of the saprotrophic fungus, Phoma exigua. The fungal biomass and respiration rate were significantly reduced only when Collembola were present in excess of mean field densities but perhaps more typical of spatial aggregations in the soil. A high efficiency of nutrient immobilization by P. exigua was demonstrated but nutrient release was not significantly affected by the fauna. Problems associated with the use of microcosms in the simulation of field conditions are discussed.

KW - Fungal biomass - Respiration - Nutrient cycling - Microcosms - Grass litter - Onychiurus procampatus - Phoma exigua - Collembola

U2 - 10.1007/BF00369301

DO - 10.1007/BF00369301

M3 - Journal article

VL - 16

SP - 255

EP - 262

JO - Biology and Fertility of Soils

JF - Biology and Fertility of Soils

SN - 1432-0789

IS - 4

ER -