Physical/Chemical Properties and Microbial Communities in Rhizospheric Soil of Averrhoa carambola Linn
Microbial communities in the soil of the rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere of Averrhoa carambola Linn cv . Taiwan soft-branch carambola were compared by microorganism-culturing and the application of the phospholipids fatty acids biomarkers (PLFAs) .Correlation and soil chemistry were also studied . Significantly more cultural fungi and actinomycetes as well as PLFA 10Me17 ∶ 0 related to actinomycetes were found in the rhizospheric than in the non-rhizosphere soil of a same layer . The quantities of PLFAs 16 ∶ 0 related to bacteria ,18 ∶ 1ω9c related to fungi and 10Me17 ∶ 0 related to actinomycetes were significantly higher in the upper- than in deep-layer of the soil . The quantities of organic matters significantly correlated with the 23 PLFAs biomarkers ,including 16 ∶ 0 ,18 ∶ 1ω9c and 10Me17 ∶ 0. Total nitrogen ,potassium and phosphorus significantly correlated with the 18 - 20 PLFAs biomarkers . Only a few PLFAs biomarkers showed significant correlation to the soil pH or water content of the soils .