The microbiome of Amazonian dark earth: structure and function of the microbial co...
| Grant number: | 06/06700-0 |
| Support type: | Regular Research Grants |
| Duration: | August 01, 2007 - December 31, 2009 |
| Field of knowledge: | Biological Sciences - Microbiology - Applied Microbiology |
| Principal Investigator: | Tsai Siu Mui |
| Grantee: | Tsai Siu Mui |
| Home Institution: | Centro de Energia Nuclear na Agricultura (CENA). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Piracicaba , SP, Brazil |
Abstract
Biodiversity and biological activity are related to functions and essential characteristics for the maintenance of the productive capacity of soils. The microorganisms are responsible for several essential activities for the functioning of the ecosystems, such as the fragmentation and decomposition of organic matter, the making available of soil nutrients, the aggregation of particles of soil, among others (Moreira & Siqueira, 2002). Biological structures and their functions are affected by the alterations and disturbances in the properties of the soil. Furthermore, the presence of stable organic material and large biological activity indicate that soils with high content of organic material can be places of high microbial diversity, constituting sources of microbial germplasm. There is a lack of detailed and organized information on this biodiversity, such as studies on the effect and management of these soils in their biodiversity and which characterizes the specific function of biodiversity in the development of their sustainable fertility. (AU)