In this chapter we first discuss which neutral sugars are synthesized by soil
microorganisms based on comparison of the composition of neutral saccharides in
acid hydrolysates between plant materials and soil, and on studies conducted using
tracer techniques. Second, we discuss differences in the composition of neutral
Fig. 6.1 Contents (a) and proportion to soil organic matter (b) of neutral saccharides in soil from
the A and Ap horizons. Filled square: Arable soil developed from prairie and grassland
(non-volcanic ash) (n ¼ 3) (Oades et al. 1970; Oades and Wagner 1971). Open circle: Arable soil
developed from non-forest (non-volcanic ash) (n ¼ 10) (Murayama 1977b, 1980, 1985, 1988).
Filled circle: Arable soil developed from non-forest (riverrine muck) (n ¼ 1) (Murayama 1977b).
Open diamond: Forest soil of volcanic ash (n ¼ 3) (Murayama 1980; Sugiura et al. 2017). Filled
diamond: Arable soil developed from forest (volcanic ash) (n ¼ 6) (Murayama 1980, 1985)
6 Origin of Soil Polysaccharides, and Ectomycorrhizal Fungal Sclerotia as Sources . . .
93