Impact of incorporated fresh 13C potato tissues on the bacterial and fungal community composition of soil

► Soil microbial communities play a major role in organic matter decomposition. ► We identify bacterial species which decompose 13C-labeled potato tissues in soil. ► DNA-SIP approach is used to separate the heavy and light fractions of DNA. ► Primary and secondary carbon sequestrators are identified by sequencing DGGE bands. ► The most dominant phylogenetic groups are α-, β-, γ-Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria.