Microbial processes related to the genesis of spodosols

• Grant number: 12/20842-3
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: June 01, 2013
• End date: May 31, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agronomy - Soil Science
• Principal Investigator: Marcio Rodrigues Lambais
• Grantee: Marcio Rodrigues Lambais
• Host Institution: Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz (ESALQ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Piracicaba , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Spodosols are the most frequent soils in the coastal plain of the São Paulo State. These soils are formed by a podzolization process, which is characterized by the transport of organic matter (OM), associated or not with iron and aluminum, from the surface to deeper horizons, and are characterized by the presence of a spodic horizon (Bh or Bhm). Information on the genesis of spodosols in tropical regions is very limited. However, it is likely that specific microorganisms are involved in the selective degradation of OM during the genesis of spodosols. Although the importance of soil microorganisms is widely recognized, their functional roles in the formation of spodosols are barely unknown. The aims of this work are: to elucidating the dynamics of transformation of humic substances in spodosols on the south side of Ilha Comprida, determining the microbial diversity in different horizons, relate specific microorganisms with geochemical processes involved in the genesis of this soils under different drainage regimes, and establishing a relationship between microbial communities and their activities involved in the degradation of humic substances in microenvironments of spodosol profiles. (AU)