Randomized trial compares microbial communities and carbon activity in annual versus perennial forage systems, indicating benefits for soil health.
Key Points
The study aims to compare the effects of annual and perennial forage systems on soil microbial communities and carbon dynamics.
Soil samples were collected from two perennial and two annual forage systems in 2022 and 2023.
Microbial phospholipid fatty acid abundance and composition, enzyme activity, and carbon measures were analyzed.
Comparative analysis of soil microbial communities was performed prior to grazing.
Soil N-acetyl-β-glucosaminidase activity was higher in perennial systems than annual systems in 2023 (p = 0.02).
Potentially mineralizable C was consistently higher in perennial soils versus annual soils. No differences in microbial biomass carbon (MBC) were observed.
Fungal PLFA indicators were more abundant in perennial soils, indicating a distinct microbial community composition.