Organic acids, vitamins, and carbohydrates represent important organic compounds in soil. Aliphatic, cyclic, and aromatic organic acids play important roles in rhizosphere ecology, pedogenesis, food-web interactions, and decontamination of sites polluted by heavy metals and organic pollutants. Carbohydrates in soils can be used to estimate changes of soil organic matter due to management practices, whereas vitamins may play an important role in soil biological and biochemical processes. The aim of this work is to review current knowledge on aliphatic, cyclic, and aromatic organic acids, vitamins, and carbohydrates in soil and to identify directions for future research. Assessments of organic acids (aliphatic, cyclic, and aromatic) and carbohydrates, including their behaviour, have been reported in many works. However, knowledge on the occurrence and behaviour of D-enantiomers of organic acids, which may be abundant in soil, is currently lacking. Also, identification of the impact and mechanisms of environmental factors, such as soil water content, on carbohydrate status within soil organic matter remains to be determined. Finally, the occurrence of vitamins in soil and their role in biological and biochemical soil processes represent an important direction for future research.

Department of Geology and Soil Science Mendel University in Brno Zemedelska 3 613 00 Brno Czech Republic

Zobrazit více v PubMed

Jones DL. Organic acids in the rhizosphere—a critical review. Plant and Soil. 1998;205(1):25–44.

Jones DL, Eldhuset T, De Wit HA, Swensen B. Aluminium effects on organic acid mineralization in a Norway spruce forest soil. Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 2001;33(9):1259–1267.

Asao T, Hasegawa K, Sueda Y, et al. Autotoxicity of root exudates from taro. Scientia Horticulturae. 2003;97(3-4):389–396.

Huang Q, Zhao Z, Chen W. Effects of several low-molecular weight organic acids and phosphate on the adsorption of acid phosphatase by soil colloids and minerals. Chemosphere. 2003;52(3):571–579. PubMed

Fransson AM, Vinogradoff S, Godbold DL, Van Hees PAW, Jones DL. Aluminum complexation suppresses citrate uptake by acid forest soil microorganisms. Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 2004;36(2):353–357.

Van Hees PAW, Jones DL, Nyberg L, Holmström SJM, Godbold DL, Lundström US. Modelling low molecular weight organic acid dynamics in forest soils. Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 2005;37(3):517–531.

Li Z-A, Zou B, Xia H-P, Ding Y-Z, Tan W-N, Fu S-L. Role of low-molecule-weight organic acids and their salts in regulating soil ph1 1 project supported by the national natural science foundation of china (Nos. 30670393 and 30630015), the knowledge innovation program of the chinese academy of sciences (No. KSCX2-SW-133), the science and technology planning of guangdong province (No. 2006A36703004) Pedosphere. 2008;18(2):137–148.

An C, Huang G, Yu H, Wei J, Chen W, Li G. Effect of short-chain organic acids and pH on the behaviors of pyrene in soil-water system. Chemosphere. 2010;81(11):1423–1429. PubMed

Gómez W, Buela L, Castro LT, Chaparro V, Ball MM, Yarzábal LA. Evidence for gluconic acid production by Enterobacter intermedium as an efficient strategy to avoid protozoan grazing. Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 2010;42(5):822–830.

Aulakh MS, Wassmann R, Bueno C, Kreuzwieser J, Rennenberg H. Characterization of root exudates at different growth stages of ten rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars. Plant Biology. 2001;3(2):139–148.

Nehls U, Grunze N, Willmann M, Reich M, Küster H. Sugar for my honey: carbohydrate partitioning in ectomycorrhizal symbiosis. Phytochemistry. 2007;68(1):82–91. PubMed

Kantar C, Cetin Z, Demiray H. In situ stabilization of chromium(VI) in polluted soils using organic ligands: the role of galacturonic, glucuronic and alginic acids. Journal of Hazardous Materials. 2008;159(2-3):287–293. PubMed

Ball BC, Cheshire MV, Robertson EAG, Hunter EA. Carbohydrate composition in relation to structural stability, compactibility and plasticity of two soils in a long-term experiment. Soil and Tillage Research. 1996;39(3-4):143–160.

Solomon D, Lehmann J, Zech W. Land use effects on soil organic matter properties of chromic luvisols in semi-arid northern Tanzania: carbon, nitrogen, lignin and carbohydrates. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment. 2000;78(3):203–213.

Merilä P, Malmivaara-Lämsä M, Spetz P, et al. Soil organic matter quality as a link between microbial community structure and vegetation composition along a successional gradient in a boreal forest. Applied Soil Ecology. 2010;46(2):259–267.

Radwan SS, Al-Muteirie AS. Vitamin requirements of hydrocarbon-utilizing soil bacteria. Microbiological Research. 2001;155(4):301–307. PubMed

Pushpalatha HG, Mythrashree SR, Shetty R, et al. Ability of vitamins to induce downy mildew disease resistance and growth promotion in pearl millet. Crop Protection. 2007;26(11):1674–1681.

Taga ME, Walker GC. Sinorhizobium meliloti requires a cobalamin-dependent ribonucleotide reductase for symbiosis with its plant host. Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions. 2010;23(12):1643–1654. PubMed PMC

Jonsson AP, Östberg TL. The effects of carbon sources and micronutrients in whey and fermented whey on the kinetics of phenanthrene biodegradation in diesel contaminated soil. Journal of Hazardous Materials. 2011;192(3):1171–1177. PubMed

Shen Y, Ström L, Jönsson J-Å, Tyler G. Low-molecular organic acids in the rhizosphere soil solution of beech forest (Fagus sylvatica L.) Cambisols determined by ion chromatography using supported liquid membrane enrichment technique. Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 1996;28(9):1163–1169.

Van Hees PAW, Jones DL, Godbold DL. Biodegradation of low molecular weight organic acids in coniferous forest podzolic soils. Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 2002;34(9):1261–1272.

Sandnes A, Eldhuset TD, Wollebæk G. Organic acids in root exudates and soil solution of Norway spruce and silver birch. Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 2005;37(2):259–269.

Baziramakenga R, Simard RR, Leroux GD. Determination of organic acids in soil extracts by ion chromatography. Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 1995;27(3):349–356.

Bergelin A, Van Hees PAW, Wahlberg O, Lundström US. The acid-base properties of high and low molecular weight organic acids in soil solutions of podzolic soils. Geoderma. 2000;94(2–4):223–235.

Liao YC, Chien SWC, Wang MC, Shen Y, Hung PL, Das B. Effect of transpiration on Pb uptake by lettuce and on water soluble low molecular weight organic acids in rhizosphere. Chemosphere. 2006;65(2):343–351. PubMed

Halvorson JJ, Gonzalez JM, Hagerman AE, Smith JL. Sorption of tannin and related phenolic compounds and effects on soluble-N in soil. Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 2009;41(9):2002–2010.

Inderjit I, Bhowmik PC. Sorption of benzoic acid onto soil colloids and its implications for allelopathy studies. Biology and Fertility of Soils. 2004;40(5):345–348.

Lima DLD, Santos SM, Scherer HW, et al. Effects of organic and inorganic amendments on soil organic matter properties. Geoderma. 2009;150(1-2):38–45.

Grayston SJ, Vaughan D, Jones D. Rhizosphere carbon flow in trees, in comparison with annual plants: the importance of root exudation and its impact on microbial activity and nutrient availability. Applied Soil Ecology. 1997;5(1):29–56.

Mandal S. Allelopathic activity of Root Exudates from Leonurus sibiricus L. (Raktodrone) Weed Biology and Management. 2001;1(3):170–175.

Bais HP, Walker TS, Schweizer HP, Vivanco JM. Root specific elicitation and antimicrobial activity of rosmarinic acid in hairy root cultures of Ocimum basilicum . Plant Physiology and Biochemistry. 2002;40(11):983–995.

Nambu K, Van Hees PAW, Essén SA, Lundström US. Assessing centrifugation technique for obtaining soil solution with respect to leaching of low molecular mass organic acids from pine roots. Geoderma. 2005;127(3-4):263–269.

Medvedeva MV, Yakovlev AS. Changes in the biochemical characteristics of soils in the impact zone of the Kostomuksha Ore-Dressing enterprise. Eurasian Soil Science. 2011;44(2):211–216.

Van Hees PAW, Jones DL, Finlay R, Godbold DL, Lundström US. The carbon we do not see—the impact of low molecular weight compounds on carbon dynamics and respiration in forest soils: a review. Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 2005;37(1):1–13.

Collins RN. Separation of low-molecular mass organic acid-metal complexes by high-performance liquid chromatography. Journal of Chromatography A. 2004;1059(1-2):1–12. PubMed

van Hees PAW, Dahlén J, Lundström US, Borén H, Allard B. Determination of low molecular weight organic acids in soil solution by HPLC. Talanta. 1999;48(1):173–179. PubMed

Van Hees PAW, Lundström US, Mörth C-M. Dissolution of microcline and labradorite in a forest O horizon extract: the effect of naturally occurring organic acids. Chemical Geology. 2002;189(3-4):199–211.

Van Hees PAW, Lundström US, Giesler R. Low molecular weight organic acids and their Al-complexes in soil solution—composition, distribution and seasonal variation in three podzolized soils. Geoderma. 2000;94(2–4):173–200.

Van Hees PAW, Jones DL, Jentschke G, Godbold DL. Organic acid concentrations in soil solution: effects of young coniferous trees and ectomycorrhizal fungi. Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 2005;37(4):771–776.

Pizzeghello D, Zanella A, Carletti P, Nardi S. Chemical and biological characterization of dissolved organic matter from silver fir and beech forest soils. Chemosphere. 2006;65(2):190–200. PubMed

Holmström SJM, Van Hees PAW, Lundström US. Modelling of aluminium chemistry in soil solution of untreated and dolomite treated podzolic soil. Geoderma. 2005;127(3-4):280–292.

Weisskopf L, Le Bayon R-C, Kohler F, et al. Spatio-temporal dynamics of bacterial communities associated with two plant species differing in organic acid secretion: a one-year microcosm study on lupin and wheat. Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 2008;40(7):1772–1780.

Blossfeld S, Gansert D, Thiele B, Kuhn AJ, Lösch R. The dynamics of oxygen concentration, pH value, and organic acids in the rhizosphere of Juncus spp. Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 2011;43(6):1186–1197.

Ren W-X, Li P-J, Zheng L, Fan S-X, Verhozina VA. Effects of dissolved low molecular weight organic acids on oxidation of ferrous iron by Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans . Journal of Hazardous Materials. 2009;162(1):17–22. PubMed

Nambu K, van Hees PAW, Jones DL, Vinogradoff S, Lundström US. Composition of organic solutes and respiration in soils derived from alkaline and non-alkaline parent materials. Geoderma. 2008;144(3-4):468–477.

Sulyok M, Miró M, Stingeder G, Koellensperger G. The potential of flow-through microdialysis for probing low-molecular weight organic anions in rhizosphere soil solution. Analytica Chimica Acta. 2005;546(1):1–10. PubMed

van Hees PAW, Lundström US. Equilibrium models of aluminium and iron complexation with different organic acids in soil solution. Geoderma. 2005;94(1):199–219.

Piškur B, Zule J, Piškur M, Jurc D, Pohleven F. Fungal wood decay in the presence of fly ash as indicated by gravimetrics and by extractability of low molecular weight volatile organic acids. International Biodeterioration and Biodegradation. 2009;63(5):594–599.

McBride RG, Mikkelsen RL, Barker KR. The role of low molecular weight organic acids from decomposing rye in inhibiting root-knot nematode populations in soil. Applied Soil Ecology. 2000;15(3):243–251.

Wu H-S, Liu Y-D, Zhao G-M, Chen X-Q, Yang X-N, Zhou X-D. Succinic acid inhibited growth and pathogenicity of in vitro soil-borne fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. Niveum . Acta Agriculturae Scandinavica Section B. 2011;61(5):404–409.

Park S-H, Choi M-R, Park J-W, et al. Use of organic acids to inactivate Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella typhimurium, and Listeria monocytogenes on organic fresh apples and lettuce. Journal of Food Science. 2011;76(6):M293–M298. PubMed

SongGui G, XingXiang W, TaoLin Z. Effects of low molecular weight organic acids on phosphomonoesterase activity. Acta Pedologica Sinica. 2009;46(6):1089–1095.

Chen YP, Rekha PD, Arun AB, Shen FT, Lai W-A, Young CC. Phosphate solubilizing bacteria from subtropical soil and their tricalcium phosphate solubilizing abilities. Applied Soil Ecology. 2006;34(1):33–41.

Ström L, Owen AG, Godbold DL, Jones DL. Organic acid behaviour in a calcareous soil: sorption reactions and biodegradation rates. Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 2001;33(15):2125–2133.

Daniel SL, Pilsl C, Drake HL. Anaerobic oxalate consumption by microorganisms in forest soils. Research in Microbiology. 2007;158(3):303–309. PubMed

Vranova V, Zahradnickova H, Janous D, et al. The significance of D-amino acids in soil, fate and utilization by microbes and plants: review and identification of knowledge gaps. Plant and Soil. 2012;354(1-2):21–39.

Ling W, Ren L, Gao Y, Zhu X, Sun B. Impact of low-molecular-weight organic acids on the availability of phenanthrene and pyrene in soil. Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 2009;41(10):2187–2195.

Zhang J-Q, Dong Y-H. Effect of low-molecular-weight organic acids on the adsorption of norfloxacin in typical variable charge soils of China. Journal of Hazardous Materials. 2008;151(2-3):833–839. PubMed

Fu Q, Dong Y, Hu H, Huang Q. Adsorption of the insecticidal protein of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki by soil minerals: effects of organic acid ligands. Applied Clay Science. 2007;37(1-2):201–206.

Tian L, Dell E, Shi W. Chemical composition of dissolved organic matter in agroecosystems: correlations with soil enzyme activity and carbon and nitrogen mineralization. Applied Soil Ecology. 2010;46(3):426–435.

Yuan S, Xi Z, Jiang Y, et al. Desorption of copper and cadmium from soils enhanced by organic acids. Chemosphere. 2007;68(7):1289–1297. PubMed

Lombnæs P, Chang AC, Singh BR. Organic ligand, competing cation, and pH effects on dissolution of zinc in soils. Pedosphere. 2008;18(1):92–101.

Ettler V, Vrtišková R, Mihaljevič M, Šebek O, Grygar T, Drahota P. Cadmium, lead and zinc leaching from smelter fly ash in simple organic acids-Simulators of rhizospheric soil solutions. Journal of Hazardous Materials. 2009;170(2-3):1264–1268. PubMed

Debela F, Arocena JM, Thring RW, Whitcombe T. Organic acid-induced release of lead from pyromorphite and its relevance to reclamation of Pb-contaminated soils. Chemosphere. 2010;80(4):450–456. PubMed

Evangelou MWH, Ebel M, Schaeffer A. Evaluation of the effect of small organic acids on phytoextraction of Cu and Pb from soil with tobacco Nicotiana tabacum . Chemosphere. 2006;63(6):996–1004. PubMed

Wu LH, Luo YM, Christie P, Wong MH. Effects of EDTA and low molecular weight organic acids on soil solution properties of a heavy metal polluted soil. Chemosphere. 2003;50(6):819–822. PubMed

Qin F, Shan X-Q, Wei B. Effects of low-molecular-weight organic acids and residence time on desorption of Cu, Cd, and Pb from soils. Chemosphere. 2004;57(4):253–263. PubMed

Renella G, Landi L, Nannipieri P. Degradation of low molecular weight organic acids complexed with heavy metals in soil. Geoderma. 2004;122(2–4):311–315.

Schwab AP, He Y, Banks MK. The influence of organic ligands on the retention of lead in soil. Chemosphere. 2005;61(6):856–866. PubMed

Do Nascimento CWA, Amarasiriwardena D, Xing B. Comparison of natural organic acids and synthetic chelates at enhancing phytoextraction of metals from a multi-metal contaminated soil. Environmental Pollution. 2006;140(1):114–123. PubMed

Jing Y-D, He Z-L, Yang X-E. Role of soil rhizobacteria in phytoremediation of heavy metal contaminated soils. Journal of Zhejiang University B. 2007;8(3):192–207. PubMed PMC

Schwab AP, Zhu DS, Banks MK. Influence of organic acids on the transport of heavy metals in soil. Chemosphere. 2008;72(6):986–994. PubMed

Chiang PN, Wang MK, Huang PM, Wang JJ. Effects of low molecular weight organic acids on137Cs release from contaminated soils. Applied Radiation and Isotopes. 2011;69(6):844–851. PubMed

Wen J, Stacey SP, McLaughlin MJ, Kirby JK. Biodegradation of rhamnolipid, EDTA and citric acid in cadmium and zinc contaminated soils. Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 2009;41(10):2214–2221.

Huang L, Hu H, Li X, Li LY. Dissolution of rock-forming minerals in organic acids: simulated first stage weathering of fresh mineral surface. Applied Clay Science. 2010;49(3):281–287.

Gao Y, He J, Ling W, Hu H, Liu F. Effects of organic acids on copper and cadmium desorption from contaminated soils. Environment International. 2003;29(5):613–618. PubMed

Hu H-Q, Liu H-L, He J-Z, Huang Q-Y. Effect of selected organic acids on cadmium sorption by variable-and permanent-charge soils1 1 project supported by the national natural sciences foundation of china (No. 40371065) Pedosphere. 2007;17(1):117–123.

Huang WH, Keller WD. Dissolution of rock-forming minerals in organic acids: simulated first stage weathering of fresh mineral surface. American Mineralogist. 1970;55(11-12):2076–2094.

Vogel CS, Dawson JO. In vitro growth of five Frankia isolates in the presence of four phenolic acids and juglone. Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 1986;18(2):227–231.

Caspersen S, Alsanius BW, Sundin P, Jensén P. Bacterial amelioration of ferulic acid toxicity to hydroponically grown lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 2000;32(8-9):1063–1070.

Xu R-K, Zhu Y-G, Chittleborough D. Phosphorus release from phosphate rock and iron phosphate by low-molecular-weight organic acids. Journal of Environmental Sciences. 2004;16(1):5–8. PubMed

Li J, Xu R. Adsorption of phthalic acid and salicylic acid and their effect on exchangeable Al capacity of variable-charge soils. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science. 2007;306(1):3–10. PubMed

Dalton BR. The occurrence and behavior of plant phenolic acids in soil environment and their potential involvement in allelochemical interference interactions: methodological limitations in establishing conclusive proof of allelopathy. In: Dakshini KMM, Foy CL, editors. Principles and Practices in Plant Ecology: Allelochemical Interactions, Inderjit. Boca Raton, Fla, USA: CRC; 1999. pp. 57–74.

Evans A., Jr. Biodegradation of 14C-labeled low molecular organic acids using three biometer methods. Journal of Geochemical Exploration. 1998;65(1):17–25.

Oburger E, Kirk GJD, Wenzel WW, Puschenreiter M, Jones DL. Interactive effects of organic acids in the rhizosphere. Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 2009;41(3):449–457.

Li J, Xu R, Xiao S, Ji G. Effect of low-molecular-weight organic anions on exchangeable aluminum capacity of variable charge soils. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science. 2005;284(2):393–399. PubMed

Li J, Xu R, Tiwari D, Ji G. Effect of low-molecular-weight organic acids on the distribution of mobilized Al between soil solution and solid phase. Applied Geochemistry. 2006;21(10):1750–1759.

Goyne KW, Brantley SL, Chorover J. Effects of organic acids and dissolved oxygen on apatite and chalcopyrite dissolution: implications for using elements as organomarkers and oxymarkers. Chemical Geology. 2006;234(1-2):28–45.

Goyne KW, Brantley SL, Chorover J. Rare earth element release from phosphate minerals in the presence of organic acids. Chemical Geology. 2010;278(1-2):1–14.

Singh K, Mohan S. Adsorption behavior of selected monosaccharides onto an alumina interface. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science. 2004;270(1):21–28. PubMed

Fischer H, Meyer A, Fischer K, Kuzyakov Y. Carbohydrate and amino acid composition of dissolved organic matter leached from soil. Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 2007;39(11):2926–2935.

Zhang W, He H, Zhang X. Determination of neutral sugars in soil by capillary gas chromatography after derivatization to aldononitrile acetates. Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 2007;39(10):2665–2669.

Zhang X, Amelung W, Yuan Y, Samson-Liebig S, Brown L, Zech W. Land-use effects on amino sugars in particle size fractions of an Argiudoll. Applied Soil Ecology. 1999;11(2-3):271–275.

Ussiri DAN, Johnson CE. Characterization of organic matter in a northern hardwood forest soil by 13C NMR spectroscopy and chemical methods. Geoderma. 2003;111(1-2):123–149.

Allard B. A comparative study on the chemical composition of humic acids from forest soil, agricultural soil and lignite deposit: bound lipid, carbohydrate and amino acid distributions. Geoderma. 2006;130(1-2):77–96.

Keeler C, Kelly EF, Maciel GE. Chemical-structural information from solid-state 13C NMR studies of a suite of humic materials from a lower montane forest soil, Colorado, USA. Geoderma. 2006;130(1-2):124–140.

Jolivet C, Angers DA, Chantigny MH, Andreux F, Arrouays D. Carbohydrate dynamics in particle-size fractions of sandy spodosols following forest conversion to maize cropping. Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 2006;38(9):2834–2842.

Guggenberger G, Zech W, Thomas RJ. Lignin and carbohydrate alteration in particle-size separates of an oxisol under tropical pastures following native savanna. Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 1995;27(12):1629–1638.

Fatima Begonia M, Kremer RJ. Chemotaxis of deleterious rhizobacteria to birdsfoot trefoil. Applied Soil Ecology. 1999;11(1):35–42.

Haase S, Neumann G, Kania A, Kuzyakov Y, Römheld V, Kandeler E. Elevation of atmospheric CO2 and N-nutritional status modify nodulation, nodule-carbon supply, and root exudation of Phaseolus vulgaris L. Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 2007;39(9):2208–2221.

Nieminen JK. Wood ash effects on soil fauna and interactions with carbohydrate supply: a minireview. In: Insam H, Knapp BA, editors. Recycling of Biomass Ashes. Berlin, Germany: Springer; 2011. pp. 45–56.

Rovira P, Vallejo VR. Labile and recalcitrant pools of carbon and nitrogen in organic matter decomposing at different depths in soil: an acid hydrolysis approach. Geoderma. 2002;107(1-2):109–141.

Gallardo A, Merino J. Soil nitrogen dynamics in response to carbon increase in a Mediterranean shrubland of SW Spain. Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 1998;30(10-11):1349–1358.

Gross S, Glaser B. Minimization of carbon addition during derivatization of monosaccharides for compound-specific δ13C analysis in environmental research. Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry. 2004;18(22):2753–2764. PubMed

Schmitt A, Glaser B. Organic matter dynamics in a temperate forest soil following enhanced drying. Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 2011;43(3):478–489.

Oades JM. Soil organic matter and structural stability: mechanisms and implications for management. Plant and Soil. 1984;76(1–3):319–337.

Roberts P, Bol R, Jones DL. Free amino sugar reactions in soil in relation to soil carbon and nitrogen cycling. Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 2007;39(12):3081–3092.

Zhang X, Amelung W. Gas chromatograph1c determination of muramic acid, glucosamine, mannosamine, and galactosamine in soils. Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 1996;28(9):1201–1206.

Engelking B, Flessa H, Joergensen RG. Shifts in amino sugar and ergosterol contents after addition of sucrose and cellulose to soil. Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 2007;39(8):2111–2118.

Glaser B, Turrión M-B, Alef K. Amino sugars and muramic acid—biomarkers for soil microbial community structure analysis. Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 2004;36(3):399–407.

Joergensen RG, Meyer B, Mueller T. Time-course of the soil microbial biomass under wheat: a one year field study. Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 1994;26(8):987–994.

Joergensen RG, Mueller T, Wolters V. Total carbohydrates of the soil microbial biomass in 0.5 M K2SO4 soil extracts. Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 1996;28(9):1147–1153.

Johnson RM, Pregitzer KS. Concentration of sugars, phenolic acids, and amino acids in forest soils exposed to elevated atmospheric CO2 and O3 . Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 2007;39(12):3159–3166.

Elmholt S, Schjønning P, Munkholm LJ, Debosz K. Soil management effects on aggregate stability and biological binding. Geoderma. 2008;144(3-4):455–467.

Adesodun JK, Mbagwu JSC, Oti N. Structural stability and carbohydrate contents of an ultisol under different management systems. Soil and Tillage Research. 2001;60(3-4):135–142.

Mikutta R, Schaumann GE, Gildemeister D, et al. Biogeochemistry of mineral-organic associations across a long-term mineralogical soil gradient (0.3-4100 kyr), Hawaiian Islands. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta. 2009;73(7):2034–2060.

Schlecht-Pietsch S, Wagner U, Anderson T-H. Changes in composition of soil polysaccharides and aggregate stability after carbon amendments to different textured soils. Applied Soil Ecology. 1994;1(2):145–154.

Verchot LV, Dutaur L, Shepherd KD, Albrecht A. Organic matter stabilization in soil aggregates: understanding the biogeochemical mechanisms that determine the fate of carbon inputs in soils. Geoderma. 2011;161(3-4):182–193.

Cosentino D, Chenu C, Le Bissonnais Y. Aggregate stability and microbial community dynamics under drying-wetting cycles in a silt loam soil. Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 2006;38(8):2053–2062.

Yousefi M, Hajabbasi M, Shariatmadari H. Cropping system effects on carbohydrate content and water-stable aggregates in a calcareous soil of Central Iran. Soil and Tillage Research. 2008;101(1-2):57–61.

Mertz C, Kleber M, Jahn R. Soil organic matter stabilization pathways in clay sub-fractions from a time series of fertilizer deprivation. Organic Geochemistry. 2005;36(9):1311–1322.

Puget P, Angers DA, Chenu C. Nature of carbohydrates associated with water-stable aggregates of two cultivated soils. Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 1999;31(1):55–63.

Derrien D, Marol C, Balesdent J. Microbial biosyntheses of individual neutral sugars among sets of substrates and soils. Geoderma. 2007;139(1-2):190–198.

Miltner A, Zech W. Carbohydrate decomposition in beech litter as influenced by aluminium, iron and manganese oxides. Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 1998;30(1):1–7.

Marín-Spiotta E, Swanston CW, Torn MS, Silver WL, Burton SD. Chemical and mineral control of soil carbon turnover in abandoned tropical pastures. Geoderma. 2008;143(1-2):49–62.

Osono T, Hobara S, Hishinuma T, Azuma J-I. Selective lignin decomposition and nitrogen mineralization in forest litter colonized by Clitocybe sp. European Journal of Soil Biology. 2011;47(2):114–121.

Traversa A, D’Orazio V, Senesi N. Properties of dissolved organic matter in forest soils: influence of different plant covering. Forest Ecology and Management. 2008;256(12):2018–2028.

Sanger LJ, Cox P, Splatt P, Whelan M, Anderson JM. Variability in the quality and potential decomposability of Pinus sylvestris litter from sites with different soil characteristics: acid detergent fibre (ADF) and carbohydrate signatures. Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 1998;30(4):455–461.

Rumpel C, Eusterhues K, Kögel-Knabner I. Non-cellulosic neutral sugar contribution to mineral associated organic matter in top- and subsoil horizons of two acid forest soils. Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 2010;42(2):379–382.

Bending GD, Turner MK, Rayns F, Marx M-C, Wood M. Microbial and biochemical soil quality indicators and their potential for differentiating areas under contrasting agricultural management regimes. Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 2004;36(11):1785–1792.

Rumpel C, Dignac M-F. Gas chromatographic analysis of monosaccharides in a forest soil profile: analysis by gas chromatography after trifluoroacetic acid hydrolysis and reduction-acetylation. Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 2006;38(6):1478–1481.

Rovira P, Ramón Vallejo V. Labile, recalcitrant, and inert organic matter in Mediterranean forest soils. Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 2007;39(1):202–215.

Liang C, Balser TC. Preferential sequestration of microbial carbon in subsoils of a glacial-landscape toposequence, Dane County, WI, USA. Geoderma. 2008;148(1):113–119.

Medeiros PM, Fernandes MF, Dick RP, Simoneit BRT. Seasonal variations in sugar contents and microbial community in a ryegrass soil. Chemosphere. 2006;65(5):832–839. PubMed

Kawahigashi M, Sumida H, Yamamoto K. Seasonal changes in organic compounds in soil solutions obtained from volcanic ash soils under different land uses. Geoderma. 2003;113(3-4):381–396.

Hu S, Coleman DC, Hendrix PF, Beare MH. Biotic manipulation effects on soil carbohydrates and microbial biomass in a cultivated soil. Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 1995;27(9):1127–1135.

Thompson TL, Zaady E, Huancheng P, Wilson TB, Martens DA. Soil C and N pools in patchy shrublands of the Negev and Chihuahuan Deserts. Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 2006;38(7):1943–1955.

Dungait JAJ, Bol R, Bull ID, Evershed RP. Tracking the fate of dung-derived carbohydrates in a temperate grassland soil using compound-specific stable isotope analysis. Organic Geochemistry. 2009;40(12):1210–1218.

Spohn M, Giani L. Impacts of land use change on soil aggregation and aggregate stabilizing compounds as dependent on time. Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 2011;43(5):1081–1088.

Hu S, Coleman DC, Carroll CR, Hendrix PF, Beare MH. Labile soil carbon pools in subtropical forest and agricultural ecosystems as influenced by management practices and vegetation types. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment. 1997;65(1):69–78.

Beare MH, Hu S, Coleman DC, Hendrix PF. Influences of mycelial fungi on soil aggregation and organic matter storage in conventional and no-tillage soils. Applied Soil Ecology. 1997;5(3):211–219.

Caravaca F, Alguacil MM, Azcón R, Díaz G, Roldán A. Comparing the effectiveness of mycorrhizal inoculation and amendment with sugar beet, rock phosphate and Aspergillus niger to enhance field performance of the leguminous shrub Dorycnium pentaphyllum L. Applied Soil Ecology. 2004;25(2):169–180.

Spaccini R, Mbagwu JSC, Igwe CA, Conte P, Piccolo A. Carbohydrates and aggregation in lowland soils of Nigeria as influenced by organic inputs. Soil and Tillage Research. 2004;75(2):161–172.

Treonis AM, Grayston SJ, Murray PJ, Dawson LA. Effects of root feeding, cranefly larvae on soil microorganisms and the composition of rhizosphere solutions collected from grassland plants. Applied Soil Ecology. 2005;28(3):203–215.

Tejada M, Garcia C, Gonzalez JL, Hernandez MT. Use of organic amendment as a strategy for saline soil remediation: influence on the physical, chemical and biological properties of soil. Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 2006;38(6):1413–1421.

Saha S, Prakash V, Kundu S, Kumar N, Mina BL. Soil enzymatic activity as affected by long term application of farm yard manure and mineral fertilizer under a rainfed soybean-wheat system in N-W Himalaya. European Journal of Soil Biology. 2008;44(3):309–315.

Carrasco L, Caravaca F, Azcón R, Roldán A. Soil acidity determines the effectiveness of an organic amendment and a native bacterium for increasing soil stabilisation in semiarid mine tailings. Chemosphere. 2009;74(2):239–244. PubMed

Kruse J, Schlichting A, Siemens J, Regier T, Leinweber P. Pyrolysis-field ionization mass spectrometry and nitrogen K-edge XANES spectroscopy applied to bulk soil leachates-a case study. Science of the Total Environment. 2010;408(20):4910–4915. PubMed

Larre-Larrouy M-C, Feller C. Determination of carbohydrates in two ferrallitic soils: analysis by capillary gas chromatography after derivatization by silylation. Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 1997;29(9-10):1585–1589.

Martens DA, Loeffelmann KL. Improved accounting of carbohydrate carbon from plants and soils. Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 2002;34(10):1393–1399.

Sariyildiz T, Anderson JM. Interactions between litter quality, decomposition and soil fertility: a laboratory study. Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 2003;35(3):391–399.

Eder E, Spielvogel S, Kölbl A, Albert G, Kögel-Knabner I. Analysis of hydrolysable neutral sugars in mineral soils: improvement of alditol acetylation for gas chromatographic separation and measurement. Organic Geochemistry. 2010;41(6):580–585.

Murata T, Tanaka H, Yasue S, Hamada R, Sakagami K, Kurokawa Y. Seasonal variations in soil microbial biomass content and soil neutral sugar composition in grassland in the Japanese Temperate Zone. Applied Soil Ecology. 1999;11(2-3):253–259.

Higa A, Miyamoto E, Rahman LU, Kitamura Y. Root tip-dependent, active riboflavin secretion by Hyoscyamus albus hairy roots under iron deficiency. Plant Physiology and Biochemistry. 2008;46(4):452–460. PubMed

Sulochana MCB. B-Vitamins in root exudates of cotton. Plant and Soil. 1962;16(3):327–334.

Kaňová H, Carre J, Vránová V, Rejsek K, Formánek P. Organic compounds in root exudates of Miscanthus × Giganteus greef et deu and limitation of microorganisms in its rhizosphere bynutrients. Acta Universitatis Agriculturae et Silviculturae Mendelianae Brunensis. 2010;58(5):203–208.

Pinton R, Varanini Z, Nannipieri P. The Rhizosphere: Biochemistry and Organic Substances at the Soil-Plant Interface. 2nd edition. Boca Raton, Fla, USA: CRC Press; Taylor-Francis Group; 2007.

Ding X, Zhang B, Zhang X, Yang X, Zhang X. Effects of tillage and crop rotation on soil microbial residues in a rainfed agroecosystem of northeast China. Soil and Tillage Research. 2011;114(1):43–49.

Cookson WR, Murphy DV, Roper MM. Characterizing the relationships between soil organic matter components and microbial function and composition along a tillage disturbance gradient. Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 2008;40(3):763–777.

Stevenson BA, Sparling GP, Schipper LA, Degens BP, Duncan LC. Pasture and forest soil microbial communities show distinct patterns in their catabolic respiration responses at a landscape scale. Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 2004;36(1):49–55.

McLeod AR, Newsham KK, Fry SC. Elevated UV-B radiation modifies the extractability of carbohydrates from leaf litter of Quercus robur. Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 2007;39(1):116–126.

Spielvogel S, Prietzel J, Kögel-Knabner I. Changes of lignin phenols and neutral sugars in different soil types of a high-elevation forest ecosystem 25 years after forest dieback. Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 2007;39(2):655–668.

Kiem R, Kögel-Knabner I. Contribution of lignin and polysaccharides to the refractory carbon pool in C-depleted arable soils. Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 2003;35(1):101–118.

Rosenberg W, Nierop KGJ, Knicker H, De Jager PA, Kreutzer K, Weiß T. Liming effects on the chemical composition of the organic surface layer of a mature Norway spruce stand (Picea abies [L.] Karst.) Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 2003;35(1):155–165.

Spohn M, Giani L. Water-stable aggregates, glomalin-related soil protein, and carbohydrates in a chronosequence of sandy hydromorphic soils. Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 2010;42(9):1505–1511.

Barrera-Bassols N, Zinck JA, Van Ranst E. Local soil classification and comparison of indigenous and technical soil maps in a Mesoamerican community using spatial analysis. Geoderma. 2006;135:140–162.

Teplitski M, Rajamani S. Signal and nutrient exchange in the interactions between soil algae and bacteria. In: Witzany G, editor. Biocommunication in Soil Microorganisms. Vol. 23. Berlin, Germany: Springer; 2011. pp. 413–426.

Muter O, Potapova K, Limane B, et al. The role of nutrients in the biodegradation of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene in liquid andsoil. Journal of Environmental Management. 2012;98(1):51–55. PubMed

Abd El-Zaher EHF, Mahmoud YAG, Aly MM. Effect of different concentrations of phenol on growth of some fungi isolated from contaminated soil. African Journal of Biotechnology. 2011;10(8):1384–1392.

Kafkewitz D, Fava F, Armenante PM. Effect for vitamins on the aerobic degradation of 2-chlorophenol, 4-chlorophenil, and 4-chlorobiphenyl. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology. 1996;46(4):414–421. PubMed

Hashsham SA, Freedman DL. Adsorption of vitamin B12 to alumina, kaolinite, sand and sandy soil. Water Research. 2003;37(13):3189–3193. PubMed

Baya AM, Boethling RS, Ramos-Cormenzana A. Vitamin production in relation to phosphate solubilization by soil bacteria. Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 1981;13(6):527–531.

Essien AI, Fetuga BL, Osibanjo O. β-carotene content and some characteristics of under-exploited seed oils of forest trees in Nigeria. Food Chemistry. 1989;32(2):109–116.

Murcia R, Rodelas B, Salmerón V, Martínez-Toledo MV, González-López J. Effect of the herbicide simazine on vitamin production by Azotobacter chroococcum and Azotobacter vinelandii . Applied Soil Ecology. 1997;6(2):187–193.

Gonzalez-Lopez J, Salmeron V, Moreno J, Ramos-Cormenzana A. Amino acids and vitamins produced by Azotobacter vinelandii atcc 12837 in chemically-defined media and dialysed soil media. Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 1983;15(6):711–713.

Strzelczyk E, Rózycki H. Production of B-group vitamins by bacteria isolated from soil, rhizosphere, and mycorrhizosphere of pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) Zentralblatt fur Mikrobiologie. 1985;140(4):293–301. PubMed

Damon M, Zhang NZ, Haytowitz DB, Booth SL. Phylloquinone (vitamin K1) content of vegetables. Journal of Food Composition and Analysis. 2005;18(8):751–758.

Franzen J, Bausch J, Glatzle D, Wagner E. Distribution of vitamin E in spruce seedling and mature tree organs, and within the genus. Phytochemistry. 1991;30(1):147–151.

Guillén-Navarro K, Encarnación S, Dunn MF. Biotin biosynthesis, transport and utilization in rhizobia. FEMS Microbiology Letters. 2005;246(2):159–165. PubMed

Hodson S, Croft M, Deery E, Smith A, Warren M. Algae acquire vitamin B12 through a symbiotic relationship with bacteria. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology A. 2007;146(article S222)

Gómez F, Martínez-Toledo MV, Salmerón V, Rodelas B, González-López J. Influence of the insecticides profenofos and diazinon on the microbial activities of Azospirillum brasilense . Chemosphere. 1999;39(6):945–957.

Environmental and health impacts assessment of long-term naturally-weathered municipal solid waste incineration ashes deposited in soil-old burden in Bratislava city, Slovakia