Date of Graduation
2005
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Type
MS
Committee Chair
Alan J. Sexstone
Abstract
Upland pastures in West Virginia receive low-input management. The effect of manure addition to upland pasture soils was measured with a variety of biological indicators such as soil microbial biomass carbon (SMBC), hot water extractable carbon (HWC), potentially mineralizable nitrogen (PMN) and soil CO2 efflux. The effect of manure was found to be short-lived and most profound in soil surface Microbial diversity of pasture soil was examined using community level physiological profiles (CLPP) and molecular characterization of 16S ribosomal RNA genes by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). Culture-independent and culture-dependent methods for molecular characterization of genetic diversity were compared. Soil bacterial communities varied with sampling date and fertility level using DGGE, while shifts in bacterial community due to short-term impact of manure input were detected using CLPP. Culture-dependent techniques investigated in this study were substantiated as a reliable alternative to the more common method of culture-independent technique in detecting shifts in bacterial community due to phosphorus fertilization and manure input.
Recommended Citation
Sutanto, Yovita, "Manure from grazing cattle: Effects on soil microbial communities and soil quality in northern West Virginia pastures." (2005). Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD). 10871.
https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/10871