Amplicon sequencing analysis of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal communities colonizing maize roots in different cover cropping and tillage systems

Masao Higo,Karen Iida,Katsunori Isobe,Kana Yokota,Yuya Tatewaki

doi:10.1038/s41598-020-58942-3

Masao Higo, Karen Iida + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-58942-3

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Journal: Scientific Reports	Publication Date: Apr 3, 2020
Citations: 36	License type: open-access

Affiliation: Nihon University

Abstract

Our understanding regarding the influence of intensive agricultural practices, including cover cropping and tillage, on communities of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) is lacking. This would prove to be an obstacle in the improvement of current maize (Zea mays L.) production. Therefore, using amplicon sequencing, we aimed to clarify how AMF communities and their diversity in maize roots vary under different cover cropping systems and two types of tillage (rotary and no tillage). Two kinds of cover crops (hairy vetch and brown mustard) and fallow treatments were established with rotary or no tillage in rotation with maize crops. Tillage and no tillage yielded a set of relatively common AMF operational taxonomic units (OTUs) in the maize crops, representing 78.3% of the total OTUs. The percentage of maize crop OTUs that were specific to only tillage and no tillage were 9.6% and 12.0%, respectively. We found that tillage system significantly altered the AMF communities in maize roots. However, the AMF communities of maize crops among cover cropping treatments did not vary considerably. Our findings indicate that compared with cover cropping, tillage may shape AMF communities in maize more strongly.

Highlights

Our understanding regarding the influence of intensive agricultural practices, including cover cropping and tillage, on communities of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) is lacking
Two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) shows that the NO3-N content in soil was significantly influenced by cover cropping, but soil pH was not affected by either tillage or cover crop management (Table 2)
The activity of acid phosphatase (ACP), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and β-glucosidase in soil was significantly affected by cover cropping

Summary

Introduction

Our understanding regarding the influence of intensive agricultural practices, including cover cropping and tillage, on communities of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) is lacking. This would prove to be an obstacle in the improvement of current maize (Zea mays L.) production. The practice of cover cropping potentially reduces soil and wind erosion[7], enhances soil organic matter[8], inhibits weed establishment[9], and increases the abundance and activity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF)[10]. In terms of agricultural management practices, tillage[34,35] and cover cropping[27,36] can alter the AMF community structure and diversity in soil and roots. Given our lack of knowledge regarding AMF communities in combined cover crop rotations with different tillage systems, it is imperative to understand how combining cover cropping with different tillage systems change AMF communities in subsequent crops using next-generation sequencing techniques (Illumina MiSeq Platform, etc.)

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