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Plant extracts from the Mediterranean zone of Chile potentially affect soil microbial activity related to N transformations: A laboratory experiment

Abstract Available soil N can be lost through ammonia volatilization, nitrate leaching to surface and ground waters, and nitrous oxide emission under intensive systems of agricultural production. Research has shown that phenolic compounds isolated from certain plants influence N cycling in soils, which results in a decrease of N losses and represents a key issue for environmental protection worldwide. In this study, water-soluble and ethanol-soluble compounds were extracted from the leaves, bark and roots of certain tree and shrub species in the Mediterranean zone of Chile, with the aim of measuring their effects on N transformation, soil respiration, soil microbial biomass and urease activity. The studied species were Acacia caven Mol, Quillaja saponaria Mol., Bacharis linearis (Ruiz & Pav.) Pers. and Pinus radiata D. Don. Plant extracts were applied to soil (Haploxeralf) fertilized with urea. The extracts obtained from the roots of A. caven in water, bark of A. caven in ethanol, bark of P. radiata in ethanol, leaves of P. radiata in water and roots of B. linearis in water showed a reduction in the soil nitrification rate. The bark of A. caven in ethanol and bark of P. radiata in ethanol extracts showed a reduction in urease activity. In conclusion, only the bark of P. radiata in ethanol extract affected all the biological parameters considered, reducing soil nitrification, urease activity, microbial biomass and carbon dioxide emissions from the soil, these being attributed to high levels of phenolic content in the extract. However, further research is necessary to explain the mechanisms involved.