Turnover of non-polymeric leaf lipids in a loamy grassland soil

Abstract Background Leaves constitute a large input of lipids to soil, yet comparatively little is known about the fate leaf in soil. Our aim was explore initial stages degradation lipids, both loss intact lipid and subsequent mineralisation. We focussed on intracellular – triacylglycerols implicated storage, membrane such as phospholipids galactolipids, pigments because they collectively more than 1% mass. Methods A mixture U- 13 C extracted from leaves wheat grown with CO 2 . The included range plant soluble organic solvent (e.g. free fatty acids, acylglycerols, pigments) but not polymeric cutin suberin. Mineralisation deduced efflux, while LC–MS examined lipids. Results There no delay before were mineralised. Instead, mineralisation significant within minutes reached maximum three hours. rapid (i.e. degradation) broad including phospholipids, (chlorophylls), triacylglycerols. Around two-thirds added lipid-C respired over course 15 days, one-third persisting Conclusions study indicates that non-polymeric degrade quickly fraction likely persisted products and/or microbial biomass. Persistence probably also reflected presence are resistant phaeophytins), being protected by interaction clays). Graphical abstract