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Significant differences in the microbial diversity, biochemical processes and enzyme activity in soil has been observed under various conditions of fertilization, but to date little research has been performed to explore these properties across soil profile after organic waste amendments, especially within deeper soil layers. Soil samples were collected from an experiment under winter wheat, and enzyme activity, microbial community structure were determined. All treatments amended with organic waste or mineral fertilizers and non-amended plots had different microbial communities, especially in various soil layers. Greater enzyme activity (9.82 mg PNP kg−1 h−1, 13.41 mg TPF kg−1 d−1), ammonification (44.31 mg NH 4 + kg−1 d−1), and CO 2 production (375.16 mg CO 2 kg−1 d−1) were observed in the rhizosphere soil amended with dairy sewage sludge. Conversely, lower enzyme activity, ammonification, and CO 2 production were detected in the deep soil layer (30–40 cm) compared to rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere soil. Overall, it was demonstrated that organic waste amendment supports soil microbial diversity and leads to enhanced functional potentials expressed as enzyme activity. • Organic waste fertilization promoted soil biochemical and microbial properties. • Soil layer is relevant factor shaping microbiological properties of soil. • Organic waste might be an alternative for mineral fertilizers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cellulose degradation is less known in the Ascomycota phylum, but it is important to recognize it because this process influences the most important biochemical cycle: the carbon cycle. Cellulose degradation is carried out by a complex enzyme: cellulase. Petriella setifera has recently been recognized as a producer of cellulolytic enzymes. In this work, it was shown, that the activity of cellulose-degrading enzymes, carbon source utilization and the gene expression of P. setifera were not determined by pre-culturing in different lignocellulosic wastes. Moreover, it was found that the presence of glucose and cellobiose could inhibit the activity and the expression of the cellobiohydrolase enzyme. β-glucosidase exhibits a higher activity in all of the analysed wastes and this behaviour can be explained as a mechanism for P. setifera to overcome cellobiose-glucose inhibition through the transglycosylation reaction. The significance of our research is to enable researchers to understand more thoroughly the cellulose degradation caused by soft rot fungus which belongs to the Ascomycota phylum. Our research is contributing to the understanding of cellulase activity and gene expression inhibition through the availability of a carbon source for P. setifera. Furthermore, it facilitates the acquisition of more information concerning the fungus P. setifera. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Waste exogenous organic matter, including spent mushroom substrate (SMS) and chicken manure (CM), can be used as the basis of a soil-improving cropping system in sustainable agriculture. However, there is—as yet—a lack of information about important quality indicators such as the fungal community relative abundance, structure and biodiversity in soils treated with these additives. In this study, the responses of the soil fungal community composition and mycobiome diversity to SMS and CM application compared to the control soil were evaluated using a combination of the following molecular approaches: quantitative polymerase chain reactions, denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis, terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism, and next-generation sequencing. The most abundant phylum for both treatments was Ascomycota, followed by Basidiomycota. The application of SMS and CM increased the abundance of fungi, including Tremellomycetes and Pezizomycetes for the SMS additive, while the Mortierellomycetes, Pezizomycetes, and Leotiomycetes levels increased after CM addition. SMS and CM beneficially reduced the relative abundance of several operational taxonomic units (OTUs) which are potential crop pathogens. The results provide a novel insight into the fungal community associated with organic additives, which should be beneficial in the task of managing the soil mycobiome as well as crop protection and productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Loss of organic matter content of cultivated soils is observed in many regions of Europe. The possibility of using organic waste as a soil additive that enriches the soil with organic matter and essential components is important in soil quality protection and waste management. This research concerned the influence of six organic wastes—two industrial composts, three digestates and meat bone meal—on soil microbial properties. The study of functional microbial diversity concerns the determination of the catabolic capacity of bacterial, fungal and anaerobic communities in relation to carbon substrates in metabolic profiling plates (Biolog® ECO, FF, AN (Biolog Inc., Hayward, CA, USA)). The assessment of genetic diversity was made on the basis of analysis of the restriction profile of ammonia-oxidizing archaea. Additionally, soil dehydrogenases activity was determined. The research showed that the type of organic waste used had an influence on the microbiological parameters. The application of exogenous organic matter caused increases in functional and genetic microbial diversity. The nature of the noted changes was short term and periodic. The values of the microbiological parameters in soils with organic waste were similar to those of the control samples. This indicates an improved microbiological balance and stability of the soil environment after the application of exogenous organic matter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]