Substrate control of sulphur utilisation and microbial stoichiometry in soil: Results of C-13, N-15, C-14, and S-35 quad labelling

A - Papers appearing in refereed journals

Ma, Q., Kuzyakov, Y., Pan, W., Tang, S., Chadwick, D. R., Wen, Y., Hill, P. W., Macdonald, A. J., Ge, T., Si, L., Wu, L. and Jones, D. L. 2021. Substrate control of sulphur utilisation and microbial stoichiometry in soil: Results of C-13, N-15, C-14, and S-35 quad labelling. The ISME Journal. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41396-021-00999-7

AuthorsMa, Q., Kuzyakov, Y., Pan, W., Tang, S., Chadwick, D. R., Wen, Y., Hill, P. W., Macdonald, A. J., Ge, T., Si, L., Wu, L. and Jones, D. L.
Abstract

Global plant sulphur (S) deficiency is increasing because of a reduction in sulphate-based fertiliser application combined with continuous S withdrawal during harvest. Here, we applied 13C, 15N, 14C, and 35S quad labelling of the S-containing amino acids cysteine (Cys) and methionine (Met) to understand S cycling and microbial S transformations in the soil. The soil microorganisms absorbed the applied Cys and Met within minutes and released SO4 2− within hours. The SO4 2− was reutilised by the MB within days. The initial microbial utilisation and SO4 2− release were determined by amino acid structure. Met released 2.5-fold less SO4 2− than Cys. The microbial biomass retained comparatively more C and S from Met than Cys. The microorganisms decomposed Cys to pyruvate and H2S whereas they converted Met to α-ketobutyrate and S-CH3. The microbial stoichiometries of C, N, and S derived from Cys and Met were balanced after 4 d by Cys-derived SO4
2− uptake and Met-derived CO2 release. The microbial C:N:S ratio dynamics showed rapid C utilisation and loss, stable N levels, and S accumulation. Thus, short-term organic S utilisation by soil microorganisms is determined by amino acid structure whilst long-term organic S utilisation by soil microorganisms is determined by microbially controlled stoichiometry

Year of Publication2021
JournalThe ISME Journal
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1038/s41396-021-00999-7
Open accessPublished as non-open access
FunderBiotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
Funder project or codeUK - China Virtual Joint Centre for Improved Nitrogen Agronomy (CINAG)
The Rothamsted Long Term Experiments [2017-2022]
Output statusPublished
Publication dates
Online11 May 2021
Publication process dates
Accepted26 Apr 2021
PublisherNature Publishing Group
ISSN1751-7362

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