The priming effect (PE) is a key mechanism contributing to the carbon balance of the soil
ecosystem. Almost 100 years of research since its discovery in 1926 have led to a rich body …

Maintenance of soil health is central to agricultural sustainability and a key factor that reflects
the productivity of agro ecosystems. However, at present the soil resources are under severe …

Background Microbial-driven decomposition of plant residues is integral to carbon
sequestration in terrestrial ecosystems. Actinobacteria, one of the most widely distributed …

Species identification lies at the heart of biodiversity studies that has in recent years
favoured DNA-based approaches. Microbial Biological Resource Centres are a rich source …

Microplastics, as an emerging pollutant of global importance, have been well documented in
aquatic ecosystems. However, little is known about the effects of microplastics on …

Organic matter (OM) decomposition and breakdown of crop residues are directly linked to
carbon (C) sequestration in agricultural soils as a portion of the decomposed C becomes …

Global change is altering species distributions and thus interactions among organisms.
Organisms live in concert with thousands of other species, some beneficial, some …

Manipulating microorganisms to increase soil organic carbon (SOC) in croplands remains a
challenge. Soil microbes are important drivers of SOC sequestration, especially via their …

The modification of soil organic matter (SOM) decomposition by plant carbon (C) input
(priming effect) represents a critical biogeochemical process that controls soil C dynamics …

Accurate estimates of microbial carbon use efficiency (CUE) are required to predict how
global change will impact microbially-mediated ecosystem functions such as organic matter …