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Differences in the Activities of Eight Enzymes from Ten Soil Fungi and Their Possible Influences on the Surface Structure, Functional Groups, and Element Composition of Soil Colloids

Summary

This research examined how different soil fungi affect soil properties through the enzymes they produce. The study reveals that soil fungi play a crucial role in maintaining soil health and nutrient cycling. The findings have several everyday implications: • Better understanding of how fungi help break down dead plant material and recycle nutrients in soil • Insights into how different fungi contribute to soil fertility and plant growth • Potential applications for improving agricultural soil management • Implications for forest health and ecosystem maintenance • Better understanding of natural processes that could inform sustainable farming practices

Background

Soil fungi play vital roles in ecosystem functioning through degradation of dead matter, nutrient cycling, and soil carbon sequestration in boreal forests. They secrete various extracellular enzymes (EEAs) that break down complex molecules like proteins, cellulose, and chitin. However, how different fungi function in soil carbon and nutrient cycling is not well understood, particularly regarding fungal enzymatic differences and their interactions with soil colloids.

Objective

To compare eight extracellular enzymes secreted by ten soil fungi species and examine how fungi with different enzymatic profiles affect soil colloid properties when co-cultured. The study aimed to understand how inter-fungi differences in enzyme activities might influence physical and chemical changes in soil colloids.

Results

Some fungi secreted only 3-4 enzymes with weak activities, while others produced over 5 enzymes with high activities. When co-cultured with soil colloids, fungi caused reductions of 11-60% in O-H, N-H, C-H, C=O, and COO- stretching bands, while P=O, C-O stretching, O-H bending and Si-O-Si stretching increased 9-22%. High enzyme-producing fungi generally caused more pronounced changes compared to low enzyme producers. Surface imaging showed disappearance of adhesive organic materials, and elemental analysis revealed 11-49% decreases in carbon content.

Conclusion

The study demonstrated that soil fungi differ significantly in their enzymatic profiles, which affects their interactions with soil colloids. These enzymatic differences influence physical and chemical properties of soil colloids, highlighting the important roles of soil fungi in soil nutrient cycling and functional maintenance. The findings suggest that inter-fungi differences in enzyme types and activities are responsible for changes in soil colloid properties.
  • Published in:PLoS One,
  • Study Type:Laboratory Research,
  • Source: 10.1371/journal.pone.0111740
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