Organic Amendments Alter Soil Hydrology and Belowground Microbiome of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum).

Taylor Readyhough,Deborah A Neher,Tucker Andrews

doi:10.3390/microorganisms9081561

Taylor Readyhough, Deborah A Neher + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms9081561

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Journal: Microorganisms	Publication Date: Jul 22, 2021
Citations: 9	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: University of Vermont

Abstract

Manure-derived organic amendments are a cost-effective tool that provide many potential benefits to plant and soil health including fertility, water retention, and disease suppression. A greenhouse experiment was conducted to evaluate how dairy manure compost (DMC), dairy manure compost-derived vermicompost (VC), and dehydrated poultry manure pellets (PP) impact the tripartite relationship among plant growth, soil physiochemical properties, and microbial community composition. Of tomato plants with manure-derived fertilizers amendments, only VC led to vigorous growth through the duration of the experiment, whereas DMC had mixed impacts on plant growth and PP was detrimental. Organic amendments increased soil porosity and soil water holding capacity, but delayed plant maturation and decreased plant biomass. Composition of bacterial communities were affected more by organic amendment than fungal communities in all microhabitats. Composition of communities outside roots (bulk soil, rhizosphere, rhizoplane) contrasted those within roots (endosphere). Distinct microbial communities were detected for each treatment, with an abundance of Massilia, Chryseolinea, Scedosporium, and Acinetobacter distinguishing the control, vermicompost, dairy manure compost, and dehydrated poultry manure pellet treatments, respectively. This study suggests that plant growth is affected by the application of organic amendments not only because of the soil microbial communities introduced, but also due to a synergistic effect on the physical soil environment. Furthermore, there is a strong interaction between root growth and the spatial heterogeneity of soil and root-associated microbial communities.

Highlights

Published: 22 July 2021Reducing the volume of organic wastes that end up in landfills is a critical challenge in the battle to mitigate climate change [1]
This study suggests that plant growth is affected by application of organic amendments by the soil microbial communities introduced, and due to a synergistic effect on the physical soil environment
Greater use of composts made from manure converts organic waste to a useful resource that promotes vegetable production and reduces fossil fuel inputs

Summary

Introduction

Published: 22 July 2021Reducing the volume of organic wastes that end up in landfills is a critical challenge in the battle to mitigate climate change [1]. Using manure and other agricultural biproducts as a fertilizer or soil conditioner provides a sustainable solution for reducing waste and minimizing emissions while improving soils and recycling nutrients for plant growth. Growers utilize manure-derived fertilizers and other organic amendments as a costeffective tool to provide crop nutrition [3], stimulate microbial activity [4], manage plant pathogens [5], and improve soil physical and hydrological properties [6]. Despite their cost-effectiveness and availability, raw manures are generally avoided because they may emit volatile organic acids that are phytotoxic [5]. The USDA National Organic Program requires that compost piles maintain a thermophilic phase (maintain temperatures between 55 and 77 ◦ C) for a minimum of 15 days and are turned a minimum of five times to ensure lethal conditions

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