Micro-fractionation shows microbial community changes in soil particles below 20 μm

Introduction Micro-scale analysis of microbes in soil is essential to the overall understanding microbial organization, interactions, and ecosystem functioning. Soil fractionation according its aggregated structure has been used access habitats. While bacterial communities have extensively described, little known about fungal at scales relevant interactions. Methods We applied a gentle method preserve stable structures within range micro-aggregates studied as well nitrogen cycling potentials pristine Rothamsted Park Grass (bulk soil) particle size fractions (PSFs; >250 μm, 250–63 63–20 20–2 <2 supernatant). Results Overall community changed PSFs below 20 μm. The relative abundance Basidiomycota decreased with decreasing over entire measure range, while Ascomycota showed an increase Mucoromycota became more prominent particles Bacterial diversity was found highest < 2 μm fraction, but only few taxa were washed-off during procedure supernatant samples. These associated exopolysaccharide production biofilm formation (e.g., Pseudomonas , Massilia Mucilaginibacter Edaphobaculum Duganella Janthinobacterium Variovorax ). potential for reduction elevated bigger aggregates. Discussion observed changes are line where operate interact, highlighting focus on researched sub-fractions micro-aggregates. shows use studies focusing role biofilms might also be adapted research various other functions. Technical advances combination micro-sampling methods promise valuable output when included.