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Adjustment of microbial nitrogen use efficiency to carbon:nitrogen imbalances regulates soil nitrogen cycling

Author

Listed:
  • Maria Mooshammer

    (Terrestrial Ecosystem Research, University of Vienna)

  • Wolfgang Wanek

    (Terrestrial Ecosystem Research, University of Vienna)

  • Ieda Hämmerle

    (Terrestrial Ecosystem Research, University of Vienna)

  • Lucia Fuchslueger

    (Terrestrial Ecosystem Research, University of Vienna)

  • Florian Hofhansl

    (Terrestrial Ecosystem Research, University of Vienna)

  • Anna Knoltsch

    (Terrestrial Ecosystem Research, University of Vienna)

  • Jörg Schnecker

    (Terrestrial Ecosystem Research, University of Vienna)

  • Mounir Takriti

    (Terrestrial Ecosystem Research, University of Vienna)

  • Margarete Watzka

    (Terrestrial Ecosystem Research, University of Vienna)

  • Birgit Wild

    (Terrestrial Ecosystem Research, University of Vienna)

  • Katharina M Keiblinger

    (Institute of Soil Research, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences)

  • Sophie Zechmeister-Boltenstern

    (Institute of Soil Research, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences)

  • Andreas Richter

    (Terrestrial Ecosystem Research, University of Vienna)

Abstract

Microbial nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) describes the partitioning of organic N taken up between growth and the release of inorganic N to the environment (that is, N mineralization), and is thus central to our understanding of N cycling. Here we report empirical evidence that microbial decomposer communities in soil and plant litter regulate their NUE. We find that microbes retain most immobilized organic N (high NUE), when they are N limited, resulting in low N mineralization. However, when the metabolic control of microbial decomposers switches from N to C limitation, they release an increasing fraction of organic N as ammonium (low NUE). We conclude that the regulation of NUE is an essential strategy of microbial communities to cope with resource imbalances, independent of the regulation of microbial carbon use efficiency, with significant effects on terrestrial N cycling.

Suggested Citation

  • Maria Mooshammer & Wolfgang Wanek & Ieda Hämmerle & Lucia Fuchslueger & Florian Hofhansl & Anna Knoltsch & Jörg Schnecker & Mounir Takriti & Margarete Watzka & Birgit Wild & Katharina M Keiblinger & S, 2014. "Adjustment of microbial nitrogen use efficiency to carbon:nitrogen imbalances regulates soil nitrogen cycling," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 5(1), pages 1-7, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:5:y:2014:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms4694
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms4694
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    Cited by:

    1. Chunkai Li & Youzhi Feng & Tadeo Sáez-Sandino & Chao Xiong & David J. Eldridge & Nicolas Gross & Yoann Le Bagousse-Pinguet & Victoria Ochoa & Beatriz Gozalo & Emilio Guirado & Guiyao Zhou & Miguel Gar, 2026. "Aridity-related differences in soil elemental ratios reshape microbial functional traits across global biomes," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 17(1), pages 1-12, December.
    2. Xu Wang & Cynthia M. Kallenbach & Maya Almaraz & Katerina Georgiou & Lifei Sun & Changpeng Sang & Ping Jiang & Yue Liu & Edith Bai & Chao Wang, 2026. "Clay-organic matter interactions drive microbial necromass preservation in soils," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 17(1), pages 1-13, December.
    3. Graham, Scott L. & Laubach, Johannes & Hunt, John E. & Mudge, Paul L. & Nuñez, Jonathan & Rogers, Graeme N.D. & Buxton, Rowan P. & Carrick, Sam & Whitehead, David, 2022. "Irrigation and grazing management affect leaching losses and soil nitrogen balance of lucerne," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 259(C).
    4. Köninger, Julia & Lugato, Emanuele & Panagos, Panos & Kochupillai, Mrinalini & Orgiazzi, Alberto & Briones, Maria J.I., 2021. "Manure management and soil biodiversity: Towards more sustainable food systems in the EU," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 194(C).
    5. Justin D. Gay & Bryce Currey & E. N. J. Brookshire, 2022. "Global distribution and climate sensitivity of the tropical montane forest nitrogen cycle," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-8, December.
    6. Yinlong Wang & Qihang Hou & Xinying Lv & Jiongyan Liu & Huimei Wang & Yan Zhao & Haonan Tong & Yanli Liu & Juan Du & Xiaojun Yang & Shengru Wu & Shuixiang He & Xin Yang, 2026. "Inorganic nitrogen metabolic reprogramming of the gut microbiome drives fecal microbiota transplantation in ulcerative colitis," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 17(1), pages 1-19, December.

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