Abstract
The aim of this paper was to evaluation functional diversity in rhizosphere soils of new quality varieties of winter wheat cultivation in organic farming. Field experiments were carried out in 2017 and 2018. Twelve commercial winter wheat varieties were selected for testing: Arktis, Bellisa, Estivus, Fidelius, Hondia, Jantarka, KWS Ozon, Linus, Markiza, Ostka Strzelecka, Pokusa, and Rokosz. Winter wheat cultivars were chosen for their high yielding potential and good tolerance to fungal diseases. In the plant production conducted in accordance with the principles of organic farming, the selection of the best quality varieties is a key element of agrotechnics. The samples of rhizosphere soils were collected each year in two seasons: spring and summer. The basic parameters of soil biological activities and microbial biodiversity indicators were determined. The high variability of biological activity and functional diversity of rhizosphere soils in the growing season between particular varieties of winter wheat was observed. The rhizosphere soils from varieties such as Bellisa, Arktis, Jantarka, Fidelius, Ostka Strzelecka, Pokusa, Rokosz and KWS Ozon were characterized by high biological activity and functional biodiversity. On the other hand, the soils collected from the varieties Estivus, Fidelius, Jantarkaand Hondia were characterized by medium and low biological activity and biodiversity indices. The highest yield was found in winter wheat varieties such as Bellisa, Fidelius and Jantarka. The results of these analyses allows for a more complete characterization of the yield potential of the tested varieties and their suitability for cultivation in the conditions of organic farming, taking into account the biological activity of soils.
Highlights
The quality of the soil environment is inextricably linked to soil cultivation methods
Microbial diversity in rhizosphere soils of new quality varieties of winter wheat cultivation in organic farming was dependent on the variety as well as the year and the sampling season
The highest dehydrogenase activity was observed in the rhizosphere soil of the following wheat varieties: Fidelius, Estiwus, Arktis, Pokusa, Rokosz collected in spring, and Rokosz for the second phase of sampling, i.e., summer
Summary
The quality of the soil environment is inextricably linked to soil cultivation methods. In recent years organic farming has been implemented quite intensively in many countries The assumptions of this farming do not involve the use of hazardous chemicals and are the basis for obtaining high quality crops [5,6]. The selection of new varieties is of key importance in connection with the biodiversity and biological activity of soils [10,11] Both in Europe and abroad, there is a growing interest in biological methods of increasing the yield and quality of crops, caused both by an increased interest in sustainable and organic farming, as well as by the agricultural producers’ clear economic benefits resulting from the use of properly selected cereal varieties [12,13]
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