TY - JOUR
T1 - Species-specific impact of protists in controlling litter decomposition
AU - Wang, Yuxin
AU - dela Cruz, Thomas Edison E.
AU - Jacob, James Kennard S.
AU - Geisen, Stefan
PY - 2024/12
Y1 - 2024/12
N2 - Protists affect soil microbiome composition and functioning, potentially increasing litter decomposition and plant growth. Yet, the role of different protist species, individually or in combinations, in regulating microbial-mediated litter decomposition remains unknown, as well as if these interactions feedback to plant growth. Using a full-factorial design of three protist species combinations with bacterial and fungal communities, we found that only one protist species reduced litter decomposition by 19%, with other species and combinations not affecting litter decomposition. Despite a positive correlation between plant growth and litter decomposition, we did not observe protist-induced changes in plant growth. Overall, our results highlight that protists affect litter decomposition in a species-specific manner, including reducing litter decomposition.
AB - Protists affect soil microbiome composition and functioning, potentially increasing litter decomposition and plant growth. Yet, the role of different protist species, individually or in combinations, in regulating microbial-mediated litter decomposition remains unknown, as well as if these interactions feedback to plant growth. Using a full-factorial design of three protist species combinations with bacterial and fungal communities, we found that only one protist species reduced litter decomposition by 19%, with other species and combinations not affecting litter decomposition. Despite a positive correlation between plant growth and litter decomposition, we did not observe protist-induced changes in plant growth. Overall, our results highlight that protists affect litter decomposition in a species-specific manner, including reducing litter decomposition.
KW - Litter decomposition
KW - Plant growth
KW - Protist species
KW - Protists combinations
U2 - 10.1016/j.soilbio.2024.109598
DO - 10.1016/j.soilbio.2024.109598
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85205143050
SN - 0038-0717
VL - 199
JO - Soil Biology and Biochemistry
JF - Soil Biology and Biochemistry
M1 - 109598
ER -