BonaRes SIGNAL: soil-N-cycling genes at Dornburg and Mariensee 2017

This data obtained from a paired cropland agroforestry and monoculture system near Dornburg, Germany and a paired grassland agroforestry and open grassland system near Mariensee, Germany in 2017. In each replicate plot of the agroforestry systems, soil samples were taken in the tree row as well as within the crop/grass row at distances of 1 m, 4 m, 7 m from the tree row. In the monoculture/open grassland systems, soil samples were taken in each replicate plot. N-cycling genes and soil properties were analysed as described in the methods. The study aimed to investigate i) whether agroforestry systems affect the abundance of soil-N-cycling genes and ii) if soil properties could explain the observed patterns of soil-N-cycling genes.