Changes in soil fungal:bacterial biomass ratios following reductions in the intensity of management of an upland grassland

In this study we examined the effect on soil fungal:bacterial biomass ratios of withholding fertiliser, lime, and sheep-grazing from reseeded upland grassland. The cessation of fertiliser applications on limed and grazed grassland resulted in a reduction in soil pH from 5.4 to 5.1. The cessation of fertiliser applications and liming on grazed grassland resulted in a fall in pH from 5.4 to 4.7, whereas withholding fertiliser and lime and the removal of grazing resulted in a further reduction to pH 4.5. Substrate-induced respiration was reduced in the unfertilised grazed (21%; P