Microbial activity and hydrolase activities during decomposition of root exudates released by an artificial root surface in Cd-contaminated soils

The aim of this study was to assess the stimulatory effects of different low molecular weight organic compounds commonly present in root exudates on microbial activity and hydrolase activities, and the effects of high Cd concentrations in sandy soils collected from contaminated field plots on the stimulatory effects. Glucose, glutamic acid, citric acid, oxalic acid, or a mixture of all compounds were released by an artificial root surface in a simplified rhizosphere system. The effects were measured at <2 mm (rhizosphere soil layer) and >4 mm (bulk soil layer) distance from the root surface, 7 d after the root exudates release. Results showed that different root exudates were mineralized at different extent and had different stimulatory effects on microbial growth estimated by dsDNA content of soil, and on hydrolase activities, mostly localized in the rhizosphere soil layer. Mineralization of root exudates, microbial growth and stimulation of most of the measured hydrolase activities were drastically reduced by high Cd concentrations in soil.