Differential determination of fungal and bacterial biomass in the soil upon the decomposition of plant remains

The method of substrate-induced respiration is modified for the differentia l determination of fungal and bacterial biomass in the soil enriched in org anic matter. The application of plant remains such as powdered alfalfa and wheat straw significantly changes the substrate-induced response of the com plex of soil microorganisms. In the soil enriched in plant remains, substan tially higher doses of antibiotics should be used for a reliable determinat ion of the shares of fungi and bacteria in the total microbial biomass comp ared to the soil without plant remains.