Legume and gramineous crop residues stimulate distinct soil bacterial populations during early decomposition stages

Diouf, M., Baudoin, E., Dieng, L., Assigbetse, K. and Brauman A. 2010. Legume and gramineous crop residues stimulate distinct soil bacterial populations during early decomposition stages. Can. J. Soil Sci. 90: 289-293. This study characterized the genetic structure of the active soil bacterial populations involved in the decomposition of maize and soybean residues over 3 d. Significant compositional differences between the total bacterial community and its active component were observed that were residue specific, suggesting that residue management should be further evaluated as a driver of soil C cycle through selection of bacterial populations.