Archaeal and bacterial ammonia-oxidisers in soil: the quest for niche specialisation and differentiation

Autotrophic archaeal and bacterial ammonia-oxidisers (AOA and AOB) drive soil nitrification. Ammonia limitation, mixotrophy, and pH have been suggested as factors providing niche specialisation and differentiation between soil AOA and AOB. However, current data from genomes, cultures, field studies, and microcosms suggest that no single factor discriminates between AOA and AOB. In addition, there appears to be sufficient physiological diversity within each group for growth and activity in all soils investigated, with the exception of acidic soils (pH

• LT
  Leverhulme Trust
• SR
  Sight Research UK

  Award: NE/D010195/1
• NE
  Natural Environment Research Council

  Awards: NE/D010195/1, NE/D010195/1