Combination of 14C and 13C labeling allowed determination of priming effect sources.
Recent plant residues were the main source of the PE induced by cellulose input.
Cellulose induced the short-term real PE by slow-growing fungi and G(−) bacteria.
Long-term PE was due to the decomposition of hemicelluloses by fungi and G(+) bacteria.
The microbial loop was revealed by decrease in DOC and increase in protozoan PLFA.