PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION ON SOIL MICROBIAL DIVERSITY: EFFECT OF PEDOGENIC SUBSTRATE

Soil biological functions, in particular linked to the activities of microbial communities, are influenced by the interaction between the species (canopy, quantity and quality of litter, roots and rhizodepositions) and the type of soil. The present study focused on the influence of different pedogenic substrates on the composition and the activities of microbial soil communities. Three systems with the same plant cover (Quercus cerris spp.) and same topographic conditions but with different pedogenic material (Andosol, Entisol, Inceptisol) were chosen. The soils were sampled in June 2009 in three Natural Reserves in the Centre of Italy (Selva di Meana/Monte Peglia, Monte Rufeno, Lago di Vico) at 0-20cm in horizon A. Functional diversity was calculated by estimating eight enzyme activities and the Community Level Physiological Profile (CLPP), together with soil chemical characterization