Transition of Bacterial Community Structure in Upland Soil Treated with LMC, a Soil Amendment Containing Low Molecular Weight Chitin

LMC is a soil amendment containing 60% (w/w) low molecular weight chitin whose average molecular weight is approximately 3,000, 30% (w/w) dextrin, and 10% (w/w) sodium chloride. Like chitin, LMC has been reported to suppress plant diseases caused by bacteria and fungi, and the spectrum against plant disease seems similar but distinguishable from that of chitin, implying the unique effects of LMC on plants and soil microorganisms. To elucidate the microbiological backgrounds of the disease suppressive effect of LMC, we compared the effects on bacteria of LMC and chitin in an incubated upland soil.