[Effects of bacteria-feeding nematode at its different density on bacterial number, bacterial activity and soil nitrogen mineralization]

Ying Yong Sheng Tai Xue Bao. 2005 Jun;16(6):1112-6.
[Article in Chinese]

Abstract

A gnotobiotic microcosm experiment was conducted to study the interactions between bacteria-feeding nematode Caenorhabditis elegans and bacterium Bacillus subtilis, and their effects on soil nitrogen mineralization at different Caenorhabditis elegans density. The results showed that the inoculation of the nematode stimulated the growth of the bacterium, and the increment was in order of 20>10>40 nematodes x g(-1) dried soil. The interaction between Caenorhabditis elegans and Bacillus subtilis significantly enhanced soil respiration rate and soil invertase, urease and phosphatase activities, with no significant differences among three test nematode densities. The inoculation of bacterial-feeding nematode markedly increased soil NH4+ -N and mineral N, suggesting that soil N mineralization was enhanced under the effect of the nematode. The increment of soil nitrogen mineralization at different nematode density was also in the same order mentioned above.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bacillus subtilis / growth & development
  • Bacteria / classification
  • Bacteria / growth & development*
  • Caenorhabditis elegans / physiology
  • Ecosystem
  • Nematoda / classification
  • Nematoda / physiology*
  • Nitrogen / analysis*
  • Plant Roots / microbiology
  • Plant Roots / parasitology
  • Soil / analysis
  • Soil Microbiology*

Substances

  • Soil
  • Nitrogen