Microbial community response to varying magnitudes of desiccation in soil: A test of the osmolyte accumulation hypothesis

► The soil microbial osmolyte accumulation hypothesis (OAH) was not supported. ► No compelling evidence for microbial cell death or lysis due to drying. ► Ratio of Gram-positive to Gram-negative bacteria decreased with desiccation. ► Dynamics of microbial PLFA, C, and sugar suggest desiccation induced cellular re-allocation. ► Cellular re-allocation with drying is consistent with energy-nutrient constraints.