ORIGINAL PAPER
Relationships between selected phenolic compounds and microbial abundance in grassland soils in the Obra River valley: a preliminary study
1
, Polska
Submission date: 2025-01-29
Final revision date: 2025-04-24
Acceptance date: 2025-05-23
Online publication date: 2025-05-23
Publication date: 2025-05-23
Corresponding author
Justyna Mencel
Department of Soil Science and Microbiology, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Szydłowska 50, 60-665, Poznań, Polska
Department of Soil Science and Microbiology, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Szydłowska 50, 60-665, Poznań, Polska
Soil Sci. Ann., 2025, 76(2)205498
KEYWORDS
ABSTRACT
The aim of the study was to evaluate the relationships between selected phenolic compounds and microbial abundance in grassland soils. The objects of the study were topsoils (0¬–20 cm) from under grasslands located along the Obra River (Wielkopolska Lowland, central Poland). The field survey was conducted in September 2022. Five vegetation syntaxonomic units were selected in the study area: Molinietum caeruleae, Alopecuretum pratensis, Arrhenatheretum elatioris, Lolio-Cynosuretum, and community Poa pratensis-Festuca rubra. A one-way ANOVA test for pH showed statistically significant differences between grasslands (pHH2O p=0.000 and pHKCl p=0.000). The abundance of heterotrophic bacteria (p=0.000), actinobacteria (p=0.001), and fungi (p=0.014) were also traits that significantly differentiated grassland vegetation units. One-way ANOVA test showed that of all the phenolic compounds analyzed, only two were found to be significant: vanillic acid (p=0.003) and catechin (p=0.002). Our research indicates a positive correlation of actinobacteria with cinnamic and caffeic acid, heterotrophic bacteria with p-coumaric and ferulic acid and catechin, and fungi with gallic acid and catechin. In addition, taking into account statistically significant features, it can be concluded that Molinietum caeruleae shows a different structure compared to the other vegetation units, the Arrhenatheretum elatioris and Lolio-Cynosuretum group are similar, while com. Poa pratensis-Festuca rubra and Alopecuretum pratensis show different structures from the others. Environmental research is increasingly focusing on enhancing soil organic carbon accumulation. Understanding the relationship between phenolic compounds and microorganisms in grassland soils is crucial in this context. Proper grassland management is a key element of environmental protection.
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