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The Role of Humus Forms in Plant–Soil Interactions
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The Role of Humus Forms in Plant–Soil Interactions

A special issue of International Journal of Plant Biology (ISSN 2037-0164). This special issue belongs to the section "Plant Ecology and Biodiversity".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 May 2023) | Viewed by 9621

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Niels Hellwig

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Thünen Institute of Biodiversity, Bundesallee 65, 38116 Braunschweig, Germany
Interests: biodiversity indicators; forest humus forms; spatial analysis; statistical modelling
Dr. Dylan Tatti

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences HAFL, Bern University of Applied Sciences BFH, Länggasse 85, 3052 Zollikofen, Switzerland
Interests: humus forms; soil–vegetation interaction; earthworms; mountain soils

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to announce a Special Issue of International Journal of Plant Biology entitled “The Role of Humus Forms in Plant–Soil Interactions”, and would like to invite submissions to contribute to this Special Issue.

Soil–plant interactions are the basis for plant growth and development in terrestrial ecosystems. Local ecohydrological and soil nutrient regimes are key factors for those interactions, and for the development of humus forms and characteristic communities of decomposer organisms. Humus forms are the morphological result of litter decomposition at the plant–soil interface, including humification and mineralization in the topsoil.

Research on interactions and feedbacks at the plant–soil interface has evolved quickly during the last years and decades. Understanding spatial patterns and temporal trends in humus forms and plant–soil interactions is essential to predict changes in terrestrial ecosystems, and to provide recommendations towards sustainable ecosystem management. The progressive influence of land-use pressures and climate change especially alters forest ecosystems and potentially destabilizes the relationships between decomposer communities and humus forms. Therefore, the aim of this Special Issue is to compile a collection of articles combining different perspectives on the current state and future of plant–soil interactions as they relate to humus forms.

Relevant topics for this Special Issue may include, but are not limited to:

  • Relationships between plant community composition and humus forms;
  • Effects of soil moisture and nutrient dynamics on plant development and humus forms;
  • Biochemical, microbiological, physical and hydrological properties of the humus layer;
  • Decomposer communities and (micro)biological activity in the forest floor;
  • Decomposition and humus form development from different types of litter and deadwood;
  • Humus forms as indicators of plant–soil interactions under different environmental dynamics;
  • Ecosystem functions and services under different humus forms;
  • Plant–soil feedbacks in biogeochemical cycles;
  • Consequences of environmental changes for humus forms, decomposer communities and plant–soil interactions.

We look forward to your contributions in the form of original research articles, review articles, or perspective articles.

Dr. Niels Hellwig
Dr. Dylan Tatti
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Plant Biology is an international peer-reviewed open access quarterly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • humus forms
  • plant–soil interface
  • litter decomposition
  • soil biodiversity
  • soil organic matter
  • forest floor
  • humus layer

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 3757 KiB  
Article
Humus Forms and Organic Matter Decomposition in the Swiss Alps
by Sarah Semeraro, Maud Fazzari, Pascal Kipf, Sergio Rasmann and Renée-Claire Le Bayon
Int. J. Plant Biol. 2023, 14(3), 729-745; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijpb14030054 - 2 Aug 2023
Viewed by 1511
Abstract
Humus forms and organic matter decomposition are influenced by climate, plants and soil decomposers. Yet, whether different humus forms could be experimentally linked to litter decomposition has still to be fully assessed. To assess the link between humus systems and organic matter decomposition, [...] Read more.
Humus forms and organic matter decomposition are influenced by climate, plants and soil decomposers. Yet, whether different humus forms could be experimentally linked to litter decomposition has still to be fully assessed. To assess the link between humus systems and organic matter decomposition, we worked in two regions of the Swiss Alps (Valais and Ticino) along elevational gradients by following a north/south exposure design. We quantified humus forms macrorests proportion types by the Ponge small-volume method and measured the decomposition of green tea and rooibos tea within the Parasystems and Terrosystems. We found that Parasystems and Terrosystems differed in tea decomposition rates, with a slower decomposition in Parasystems than in Terrosystems. We also observed that elevation, and hence, vegetation type (i.e., forest in the subalpine versus grassland in the alpine), drove humus form distribution, with Parasystems found in the alpine and subalpine in Ticino, while in Valais Parasystems were only found in the alpine and Terrosystems in the subalpine levels. Further analyses are however needed to identify other variables that best correlate with variation in decomposition processes within humus systems, such as soil decomposer community composition. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Humus Forms in Plant–Soil Interactions)
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29 pages, 18926 KiB  
Article
A Concept for a Consolidated Humus Form Description—An Updated Version of German Humus Form Systematics
by Christine Wachendorf, Tina Frank, Gabriele Broll, Anneke Beylich and Gerhard Milbert
Int. J. Plant Biol. 2023, 14(3), 658-686; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijpb14030050 - 28 Jul 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1688
Abstract
In Germany, the systematics of humus forms has been developed, which is mainly based on morphological characteristics and has been proven via detailed long-term observation. The humus form systematics presented here is an update based on a new approach, clarifying the hierarchical structure [...] Read more.
In Germany, the systematics of humus forms has been developed, which is mainly based on morphological characteristics and has been proven via detailed long-term observation. The humus form systematics presented here is an update based on a new approach, clarifying the hierarchical structure into divisions, classes, types, and subtypes. New diagnostic horizons and transition horizons are introduced, uniquely characterising types and subtypes. This paper holds that the humus form is not only a product of decomposition, humification, and bioturbation but also serves as habitat for soil organisms. The processes and the habitat are shaped by soil-forming factors with the main factor being soil water conditions. Thus, on the first level of systematics, aeromorphic and aero-hydromorphic as well as hydromorphic humus forms are differentiated. Many different features of the organic layers and the mineral topsoil can be observed in forests, open grasslands, the mountain zone above the tree line, and natural fens and bogs, as well as degraded peatlands. Features shaping the humus form, such as the proportion of organic fine material and packing of the organic matter as well as the structure of the mineral soil, have now been unambiguously described. However, site-specific soil-forming factors result in typical organic matter characteristics of individual horizons and typical combinations of different horizons. This relationship is illustrated using descriptions of distinct humus forms. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Humus Forms in Plant–Soil Interactions)
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7 pages, 984 KiB  
Article
Iceberg Lettuce and Radicchio Chicory Organic Management of Amendment and Fertigation
by Fernando Teruhiko Hata, Isabella Accorsi Sanches, Caio Eduardo Pelizaro Poças, Milena Cesila Rabelo, Lívia Cristina Pronko Gouveia, Victor Hugo Caetano Silveira and Maurício Ursi Ventura
Int. J. Plant Biol. 2022, 13(4), 419-425; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijpb13040034 - 6 Oct 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1879
Abstract
The aim of the study is to investigate low-cost sources of organic-allowed inputs for iceberg lettuce and chicory radicchio vegetative growth. Experiments were conducted under protected cultivation. The following treatments were used: boiled chicken manure for fertigation (2.5; 5; 7.5; and 10%); Bokashi [...] Read more.
The aim of the study is to investigate low-cost sources of organic-allowed inputs for iceberg lettuce and chicory radicchio vegetative growth. Experiments were conducted under protected cultivation. The following treatments were used: boiled chicken manure for fertigation (2.5; 5; 7.5; and 10%); Bokashi as a mineral fertilizer N-P-K (4-14-8) in the substrate; and the control (water). The total leaf biomass (TLB) (g), commercial leaf biomass (CLB) (g), plant diameter (DIA) (cm), plant height (HEI) (cm), number of leaves (NL) (for lettuce only), and chlorophyll index (CLO) (Falker index) were evaluated. The mineral fertilizer provided the highest means of production variables for both lettuce and chicory. For iceberg lettuce, the means of an organic treatment were similar to the mineral fertilizer only for the CLO variable and for the NL in BCM 10%. For radicchio chicory, the organic treatments had similar means to the mineral fertilizer for the DIA and CLO. Only Bokashi had a similar mean to mineral for the HEI variable. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Humus Forms in Plant–Soil Interactions)
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Review

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17 pages, 1499 KiB  
Review
Humus Forms of Moist and Wet Forest Stands. A Review
by Tina Frank, Hans-Jörg Brauckmann and Gabriele Broll
Int. J. Plant Biol. 2023, 14(3), 780-796; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijpb14030058 - 14 Aug 2023
Viewed by 1899
Abstract
The organic layer of forest soils (forest floor) provides important ecosystem functions and serves as a habitat for soil organisms. This review provides an overview of research on humus forms of moist and wet forest stands based on a systematic literature review. Detailed [...] Read more.
The organic layer of forest soils (forest floor) provides important ecosystem functions and serves as a habitat for soil organisms. This review provides an overview of research on humus forms of moist and wet forest stands based on a systematic literature review. Detailed information was collected from around 80 articles and books. It was examined whether the articles include the chemical, physical, or biological properties of humus forms. In addition, selected topics associated with and often used in relation to moist or wet humus forms, like information on morphological properties or information on specific classification systems, are considered. In general, it was found that many articles include the importance of moist or wet humus forms in their classification system. However, there was less or insufficient explanation on morphological properties. The humus forms on poorly drained or even waterlogged sites differ from humus forms on well-drained sites because the water factor affects the processes and thus the morphology very much. High soil moisture (=water saturation) means periodically anaerobic conditions in mineral soil and also very often in organic layers. Hence, soil organic carbon and soil organisms are affected. Especially, the recent literature often deals with climate change and soil organic carbon in moist and wet forest stands. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Humus Forms in Plant–Soil Interactions)
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22 pages, 7620 KiB  
Review
Soil, Humipedon, Forest Life and Management
by Roberto Zampedri, Nicolas Bernier, Augusto Zanella, Raffaello Giannini, Cristina Menta, Francesca Visentin, Paola Mairota, Giacomo Mei, Gabriele Zandegiacomo, Silvio Carollo, Alessio Brandolese and Jean-François Ponge
Int. J. Plant Biol. 2023, 14(3), 571-592; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijpb14030045 - 27 Jun 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1711
Abstract
In recent years, three sections (Humipedon, Copedon and Lithopedon) were recognized in the soil profile. It was then possible to link the first and most biologically active section to the characteristics of the environment and soil genesis. In particular, it is now possible [...] Read more.
In recent years, three sections (Humipedon, Copedon and Lithopedon) were recognized in the soil profile. It was then possible to link the first and most biologically active section to the characteristics of the environment and soil genesis. In particular, it is now possible to distinguish organic horizons, mainly produced by arthropods and enchytraeids in cold and acidic or dry and arid environments, from organo-mineral horizons produced by earthworms in more temperate and mesotrophic environments. Each set of horizons can be associated with a humus system or form, with important implications for forestry. Anecic/endogeic earthworms and Mull or Amphi systems are more abundant in the early and late stages of sylvogenesis; by completely recycling litter, earthworms accelerate the availability of organic and inorganic soil nutrients to roots and pedofauna. On the other hand, arthropods and Moder or Tangel systems characterize the intermediate stages of sylvogenesis, where thickening in the organic horizons and the parallel impoverishment/reduction in the underlying organo-mineral horizons are observed. Recognizing the humus system at the right spatial and temporal scale is crucial for the biological management of a forest. This article includes a data review, new data from a doctoral thesis, and recent comparisons of Italian and French investigations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Humus Forms in Plant–Soil Interactions)
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