Pedosphere (2): 377--380, 2026
ISSN 1002-0160/CN 32-1315/P
©2026 Soil Science Society of China
Published by Elsevier B.V. and Science Press
| Interactions between small molecules and carbon-engine microbes: Key mechanisms driving soil carbon accumulation |
Lin CHEN, Jingwang LI, Jiabao ZHANG |
| State Key Laboratory of Soil and Sustainable Agriculture, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 211135 (China) |
| ABSTRACT |
| Synergistic interactions between small molecules (SMs) and carbon-engine microbes (CEMs) play key roles in soil organic carbon (SOC) accumulation. The SMs (typically < 1 000 Da), primarily derived from root exudates and polymer degradation, enhance CEM functions by fueling microbial metabolism via rapid uptake, elevating carbon use efficiency for persistent necromass formation, and enriching mineral-binding and aggregate-forming taxa. Tailored SMs stimulate CEMs to build macroaggregates and mineral-associated organic carbon while suppressing the positive priming effect. Precision SOC management requires optimized SM inputs (e.g., blended organics and compost-converted recalcitrant carbon), microbial community engineering (e.g., CEM inoculants and synthetic communities), and artificial intelligence (AI)-integrated monitoring (e.g., sensor networks and predictive SM-CEM models) to maximize carbon sequestration and avoid native carbon loss. |
| Key Words: |
| Citation: Chen L, Li J W, Zhang J B. 2026. Interactions between small molecules and carbon-engine microbes: Key mechanisms driving soil carbon accumulation. Pedosphere. 36(2): 377-380. |
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