ARS | Publication request: CHANGES IN SOIL MICROBIAL DIVERSITY DURING THE CONVERSION OF A NATIVE SHRUB-STEPPE TO AN IRRIGATED AGROECOSYSTEM II

Submitted to: American Society of Agronomy Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: July 20, 2004
Publication Date: July 20, 2004
Citation: Cochran, R.L., Collins, H.P., Kennedy, A.C., Grunwald, N.J. 2004. Changes in soil microbial diversity during the conversion of a native shrub-steppe to an irrigated agroecosystem ii. American Society of Agronomy Abstracts.

Technical Abstract: Microbial populations tend to shift as a result of conversion from a native to cultivated ecosystem and the resulting disturbance influences basic processes and functions of soil microbial communities in the the initial stages of conversion. Microbial community diversity and structure may also be influenced by changes in soil properties. There is limited knowledge of the changes in dynamics of the microbial community structure as a result of the "new" equilibrium following disturbance. To assess changes in community structure it is necessary to determine the diversity of the microbial community and identify patterns of presence and absence, as well as quantify various microbial populations. The purpose of this study is to document changes that occur in soil microbial community structure and function during the transition of a semi-arid native shrub-steppe to one of irrigated crop production using traditional laboratory approaches and the community-based methodology of microbial fatty acids.