No differences in phosphodiester-induced changes of phosphatase activities and bicarbonate-extractable inorganic phosphorus between long-term low and high phosphorus-fertilized soils

Soil organic phosphorus (P) mineralization is catalyzed by phosphatases synthesized by plants or microorganisms, particularly when organic P is present and inorganic P is limited. We investigated how P status affects the substrate induction response of phosphatase activities and changes in labile inorganic P (Delta NaHCO3-Pi) by adding phosphodiester to long-term low P and high P-fertilized soils. Phosphodiester addition significantly increased acid phosphomonoesterase activity and Delta NaHCO3-Pi, while exhibiting non-significant effect on phosphodiesterase activity. No significant differences were observed in phosphodiester-induced phosphatase activities and Delta NaHCO3-Pi between the low P and high P-fertilized soils. Our results indicate that phosphodiester may incentivize microbially mediated enzymatic P mineralization not necessarily for P but possibly for energy. This emphasizes the importance of phosphodiester in the development of microbial strategies for mobilizing soil P.