Soil Concentrations of Carbohydrates and Amino Compounds Following Poultry Manure Application.

In a greenhouse pot study, ryegrass was grown on a Maine soil with poultry manure applied at the recommended rate (43 Mg manure ha^-1) and also at 215 Mg manure ha^-1.  To determine some effects of the manure on the chemical nature of soil C, carbohydrates and amino compounds (amino acids and two amino sugars) were measured by anion chromatography / pulsed amperometry.  The manure addition increased soil concentrations of seven carbohydrates and also 20 amino compounds in both the rhizosphere and in non-rhizosphere soil.  Rhizosphere soil was enriched both in amino compounds and carbohydrates compared to non-rhizosphere soil.   The enriched compounds in the rhizosphere appear to be more so of plant origin than of microbial origin, especially the aromatic amino acids phenylalanine and tyrosine.