Characteristics of the soil microbial population in forest land irrigated with saline water in the desert area

The study of soil microbial populations and diversity is an important way to understanding the soil energy process. In this study we analyzed the characteristics of soil microbial populations of the Tarim Desert Highway shelter-forest, by identifying microbial fatty acids and using methods of conventional cultivation. The results illustrated that the amount of soil microbial activity and the diversity of soil microbial fatty acid increased significantly with the plantation age of the shelter-forest; the soil microbial population was dominated by bacteria. The fatty acids of C14..0, C15..0, C16..0, C17..0, C18..1ω9, C18..0, C18..2ω6 and C21..0 were found to be dominant soil microbial fatty acids in the shelter-forest soil. Principal analysis and regression analysis showed that (1) concentrations of fatty acids of C14..0, C16..0 and C18..0 could be used as indicators of total soil microbial population; (2) soil bacteria and actinomycetes populations were closely correlated with the amount of fatty acids of C15..0 and C17..0; and (3) soil fungi were closely correlated with the amount of fatty acids of C18..1ω9 and C18..2ω6.