Soil Microbial Associations

1. Introduction (V. Vančura). 2. Nutrition and energy sources of microbial populations in ecosystems (B. Úlehlová et al.). Soil organic matter and humic substances (F. Kunc). Residues of organisms (B. Úlehlová). Plant metabolites in soil (V. Vančura). Compounds appearing in the biosphere through human activity (F. Kunc). 3. Structure of microbial soil associations and some mechanisms of their autoregulation (D.I. Nikitin, F. Kunc). Structure of microbial soil associations. Trophic groups of microorganisms. Homeostasis in microbial associations and some of its mechanisms. References. 4. Microorganisms, their mutual relations and functions in the rhizosphere (V. Vančura). Rhizosphere effect. Colonization of plant roots by microorganisms. Metabolites of soil microorganisms. Mutual relations of microorganisms in the rhizosphere. Modifications of the rhizosphere microflora. References. 5. Mechanisms of adaptation and selection of microorganisms in the soil (F. Kunc, J. Macura). Adaptation and selection of microorganisms in the soil environment: genetic and physiological aspects. Changes in the gnetic outfit of soil microorganisms. Mechanisms controlling the formation and activity of enzymes in the soil. References. 6. Mutual relations among microbial processes in soil (F. Kunc). Metabolism of microorganisms and the soil environment. Simultaneous transformations of added organic substrates and native soil organic matter. The influence of other factors on mutual influences of microbial processes in soil. Considerations on the possibilities of controlling soil microbial processes. References. 7. Cycling of mineral elements (B.A. Úlehlová, M. Tesařová). Introduction (B. Úlehlová). Microorganisms and the carbon cycle in ecosystems (M. Tesařová). The nitrogen cycle (B. Úlehlová). Cycling of other mineral elements (B. Úlehlová). Energy flow in grasslands (B. Úlehlová).