Lignin Metabolism by Selected Fungi and Microbial Consortia for Plant Stimulation: Implications for Biologically Active Humus Genesis
Jalil Ur Rehman, Eun‐Nam Joe, Ho Young Yoon, Sumin Kwon, Min Seung Oh, Eun Ju Son, Kyoung‐Soon Jang, Jong‐Rok Jeon
Abstract
Structurally stable humic substances (HSs) in soils are tightly associated with soil fertility, and it is thus important to understand how soil HSs are naturally formed. It is believed that microbial metabolism on plant matter contributes to natural humification, but detailed microbial species and their metabolisms inducing humic functionality (e.g., direct plant stimulation) need to be further investigated. Our findings clearly support that microbial metabolites of lignin could contribute to the formation of biologically active humus. This research direction appears to be meaningful not only for figuring out the natural processes, but also for confirming natural microbial resources useful for artificial humification that can be linked to the development of high-quality soil amendments.