Enhancing nutrient retention in soils through management of microbial biomass

土壤微生物过程通常与养分矿化有关，但很少研究其保留养分和减少养分淋失的潜力。我们假设微生物固定化管理将在季节性降雨期间增强养分丰富土壤的养分保留。这一假设将在澳大利亚西南部强烈的季节性环境中进行测试，在那里，土壤中的养分浸出会降低地表水和地下水的质量。我们将首先研究导致微生物固定化的途径和条件。然后，我们将探索底物和营养条件的调节，以促进这种保留，并随后开发基于微生物介导的营养保留的管理干预措施。

Soil microbial-processes are generally studied in relation to mineralisation of nutrients but rarely for their potential to retain nutrients and reduce nutrient leaching. We hypothesise that management of microbial immobilisation will enhance nutrient retention in nutrient enriched soils during seasonal rains. This hypothesis will be tested under strongly seasonal environments of southwest Australia where nutrient leaching from soils degrades quality of surface and groundwater. We will first investigate pathways and conditions leading to microbial immobilisation. We will then explore the regulation of substrate and nutrient conditions to promote such retention, and subsequently develop management interventions based on microbially-mediated nutrient retention.