Summary
This 2023 study employed untargeted metabolomics—a high-throughput chemical profiling technique—to investigate how long-term fertilisation practices alter the composition of extractable soil organic matter. By characterising metabolite fingerprints under different fertilisation regimes, the research provides molecular-level insight into SOM dynamics that conventional chemical analysis may not capture. The findings contribute to understanding how management practices reshape soil organic chemistry and may inform decisions about nutrient input strategies.
Regional applicability
The findings are directly applicable to UK arable systems, where long-term fertilisation trials provide the experimental basis for this work. The metabolomic approach offers a novel tool for UK soil scientists and advisors seeking to assess how different N, P, and K management regimes affect soil quality and organic matter quality beyond traditional carbon and nutrient measurements.
Key measures
Untargeted metabolomic profiles of extractable soil organic matter; metabolite composition and diversity across fertilisation treatments; molecular characterisation of SOM fractions
Outcomes reported
The study used untargeted metabolomics to characterise changes in extractable soil organic matter (SOM) composition in response to contrasting long-term fertilisation treatments. This approach identified specific molecular signatures and metabolite profiles associated with different fertilisation regimes.
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