Microorganisms and microbial processes related to Spodosols formation

• Grant number: 11/23448-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: March 01, 2012
• End date: March 31, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Microbiology
• Principal Investigator: Marcio Rodrigues Lambais
• Grantee: Elisa Rabelo Matos
• Host Institution: Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz (ESALQ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Piracicaba , SP, Brazil
• Associated scholarship(s): 13/09452-1 - Analysis of the microbial diversity and genes associated with the degradation of aromatic compounds in Brazilian podzols, BE.EP.DR

Abstract

Spodosols are high occurrence soils in coastal plain of São Paulo State, which are characterized by the presence of spodic horizon (Bh or Bhm). There are few information related to Spodosols genesis in tropical regions, as well as a few studies detailing their characteristics and chemical composition of their organic matter (OM). The influence of microorganisms in the process of Spodosols formation also still mostly unknown. The podzolization is characterized by the transport in solution of OM, associated with or without iron and aluminium from soil surface horizons to deeper horizons. Drainage can influence the process of podzolization and it is related mainly to transport of OM through the soil. It is possible that microorganisms involved in selective degradation of OM are important to the genesis of Spodosols, as observed previously in Spodosols of Bertioga and Ilha Comprida. Although the importance of soil organisms is widely recognized, studies about their functional roles in the formation of these soils are still insufficient. The aims of this work are to elucidate the dynamics of transformation of humic substances (HS) in Spodosols on the south side of Ilha Comprida and determine the microbial diversity in different horizons. In addition, we will evaluate the association of microorganisms with geochemical processes involved in the genesis of soils in function of the kind of drainage and establish relationships between microbial communities and their activities involved in inputs, transformations, transport and deposition of OM across the Spodosols profiles.

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

MATOS, Elisa Rabelo. Changes in the bacterial and fungal communities structures in Podzols under distinct drainage regimes. 2015. Doctoral Thesis - Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz (ESALA/BC) Piracicaba.