Pedosphere 16(1): 18--24, 2006
ISSN 1002-0160/CN 32-1315/P
©2006 Soil Science Society of China
Published by Elsevier B.V. and Science Press
| A review of methods for studying microbial diversity in soils |
LIU Bing-Ru1 , JIA Guo-Mei1, CHEN Jian1 and WANG Gang1,2 |
1 Key Laboratory of Arid and Grassland Agroecology at Lanzhou University, Ministry of Education, Lanzhou 730000 (China). E-mail: liubr02@st.lzu.edu.cn
2 School of Life Science, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000 (China) |
| ABSTRACT |
| Soil microorganisms play a central role in decomposing organic matter, in determining the release of mineral nutrients, and in nutrient cycling. Recently, extensive studies have focused on soil microbial diversity. However, understanding the diversity of this complex microbial community in the soil environment is a challenging task. Thus, it is important to master and comprehend appropriate methods for studying soil microbial diversity. Concepts of soil microbial diversity and major methods of study are briefly introduced in this paper. Then, the application of biochemical-based and molecular-based techniques in this area, and their advantages and disadvantages are evaluated. Based on recent related research, perspectives for studying microbial diversity in soils are presented. |
| Key Words: bacteria, diversity, fungi, molecular, soil |
| Citation: Liu, B. R., Jia, G. M., Chen, J. and Wang, G. 2006. A review of methods for studying microbial diversity in soils. Pedosphere. 16(1): 18-24. |
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