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Significant role of microbial nitrogen use efficiency in regulating long-term soil carbon and nitrogen stoichiometry.

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Title: Significant role of microbial nitrogen use efficiency in regulating long-term soil carbon and nitrogen stoichiometry.
Authors: Li, Wanyu1,2 (AUTHOR) liwanyu@whu.edu.cn, Wang, Gangsheng1,2 (AUTHOR) wanggs@whu.edu.cn, Xiang, Daifeng1,2 (AUTHOR) xiangdf@whu.edu.cn, Qi, Shanshan1,2 (AUTHOR) qiss22b@whu.edu.cn, Tian, Jing1,2 (AUTHOR) tianjing97@whu.edu.cn, Lv, Zehao1,2 (AUTHOR) 2021202060003@whu.edu.cn
Source: Biology & Fertility of Soils. May2026, Vol. 62 Issue 4, p469-484. 16p.
Subject Terms: *Microbial physiology, *Forest soils, *Soil ecology, *Carbon metabolism, *Tropical forests
Abstract: Microbes play a major role in soil biogeochemistry, yet it remains unclear how microbial physiology, particularly microbial nitrogen (N) use efficiency (NUE), regulates the soil C/N ratio to maintain long-term stoichiometric stability. Here, we refined the definition and quantification of microbial NUE in the latest C-N coupled Microbial-ENzyme Decomposition (MEND) model and validated it against field experimental data from subtropical broadleaf and pine forests. Our results show that microbial anabolism, reflected in high C use efficiency (CUE) and NUE, contributes to the stabilization of the soil C/N ratio. Long-term simulations, based on a calibration strategy combining experimental calibration with independent post-experiment evaluation, revealed insignificant difference in microbial CUE between broadleaf and pine forests, but a notable higher NUE in the broadleaf forest (0.64) than that in the pine forest (0.38). Soil C/N ratio decreased as CUE and NUE increased, with a stronger association for NUE. Additionally, following a 33% and 21% increase in litterfall C/N ratios in the broadleaf and pine forests, microbial NUE would need to rise by 10.5% and 11.0%, respectively, to maintain the soil C/N ratio, while microbial CUE was held constant. These findings highlight microbial NUE as a key control on soil C/N stability in subtropical forests, with implications for forest management under global change as litter quality shifts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Database: Energy & Power Source
Description
Abstract:Microbes play a major role in soil biogeochemistry, yet it remains unclear how microbial physiology, particularly microbial nitrogen (N) use efficiency (NUE), regulates the soil C/N ratio to maintain long-term stoichiometric stability. Here, we refined the definition and quantification of microbial NUE in the latest C-N coupled Microbial-ENzyme Decomposition (MEND) model and validated it against field experimental data from subtropical broadleaf and pine forests. Our results show that microbial anabolism, reflected in high C use efficiency (CUE) and NUE, contributes to the stabilization of the soil C/N ratio. Long-term simulations, based on a calibration strategy combining experimental calibration with independent post-experiment evaluation, revealed insignificant difference in microbial CUE between broadleaf and pine forests, but a notable higher NUE in the broadleaf forest (0.64) than that in the pine forest (0.38). Soil C/N ratio decreased as CUE and NUE increased, with a stronger association for NUE. Additionally, following a 33% and 21% increase in litterfall C/N ratios in the broadleaf and pine forests, microbial NUE would need to rise by 10.5% and 11.0%, respectively, to maintain the soil C/N ratio, while microbial CUE was held constant. These findings highlight microbial NUE as a key control on soil C/N stability in subtropical forests, with implications for forest management under global change as litter quality shifts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:01782762
DOI:10.1007/s00374-026-01985-x