@article{fdi:010093609,
  title = {{T}he role of earthworms in the transformation of labile plant litter into mineral-associated organic matter},
  author = {{S}ong, {C}hao and {Z}i, {Y}acouba and {D}ignac, {M}. {F}. and {B}ottinelli, {N}icolas and {F}elbacq, {A}. and {S}ong, {S}. {S}. and {R}umpel, {C}.},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{A}lthough it has been recognized that the formation of organo-mineral complexes may be fostered by soil fauna, their formation pathways are far from understood. {T}he objective of this study was to investigate the processes involved in earthworm-mediated mineral-associated organic matter ({MAOM}) formation. {T}o this end, we used microcosms to produce casts with three different temperate earthworm species (epigeic {L}umbricus castaneus [{LC}], epi-anecic {L}umbricus terrestris [{LT}], endogeic {A}porrectodea icterica [{AI}]) fed with {C}-13-enriched {M}iscanthus litter in two contrasting soil types ({L}uvisol, {C}ambisol). {T}o investigate {MAOM} formation processes, we used {C}-13 isotope tracing to track litter-derived carbon origin and neutral sugar biomarkers to resolve microbial transformation pathways. {O}ur results indicated that cast {MAOM}-{C} concentrations increased compared to the control treatment without earthworms, with {LC} casts in {L}uvisol exhibiting the highest {MAOM}-{C} concentration (24.1 mg g(-1)). {MAOM}-{C} contribution to casts decreased in the order {LC} > {LT} > {AI}. {S}ugar biomarkers revealed species- and soil-dependent stabilization pathways: {MAOM} of {LC} casts in {L}uvisol contained high proportions of plant-derived arabinose, while {MAOM} of {AI} casts in {C}ambisol were enriched in microbial-derived hexoses (mannose) and deoxy-hexoses (rhamnose, fucose). {W}e conclude that earthworms depending on species and soil type accelerated {MAOM} formation via synergistic pathways: (1) direct stabilization of plant sugars and (2) microbial transformation of labile litter into necromass during cast formation. {W}e suggest that earthworm-driven {MAOM} formation depends on species-specific traits (e.g., {LC}'s capacity for litter fragmentation) and soil properties (e.g., clay and {C}a{CO}3 content).},
  keywords = {{E}arthworms ; {N}eutral sugars ; {S}oil types ; {O}rgano-mineral complex ; {C}asts},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{S}oil {B}iology and {B}iochemistry},
  volume = {208},
  numero = {},
  pages = {109859 [10 p.]},
  ISSN = {0038-0717},
  year = {2025},
  DOI = {10.1016/j.soilbio.2025.109859},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010093609},
}