Abstract
To evaluate crop rotation effects on maize seedling performance and its associated microbiome, maize plants were grown in the greenhouse in soils preceded by either maize, pea, soybean or sunflower. Soils originated from a replicated field experiment evaluating different four-year rotation combinations. In the greenhouse, a stressor was introduced by soil infestation with western corn rootworm (WCR) or Fusarium graminearum. Under non-infested conditions, maize seedlings grown in soils preceded by sunflower or pea had greater vigor. Stress with WCR or F. graminearum resulted in significant root damage. WCR root damage was equivalent for seedlings regardless of soil provenance; whereas F. graminearum root damage was significantly lower in maize grown in soils preceded by sunflower. Infestation with WCR affected specific microbial taxa (Acinetobacter, Smaragdicoccus, Aeromicrobium, Actinomucor). Similarly, F. graminearum affected fungal endophytes including Trichoderma and Endogone. In contrast to the biological stressors, rotation sequence had a greater effect on rhizosphere microbiome composition, with larger effects observed for fungi compared to bacteria. In particular, relative abundance of Glomeromycota was significantly higher in soils preceded by sunflower or maize. Defining the microbial players involved in crop rotational effects in maize will promote selection and adoption of favorable crop rotation sequences.
Highlights
Current intensive agricultural practices include the widespread adoption of two-year maize (Zea mays L.) and soybean
The benefits of different four-year rotation sequences on subsequent maize seedling health and associated microbial communities were evaluated upon exposure to western corn rootworm (WCR) or F. graminearum
Western corn rootworm infestation resulted in greater than 50% of total root damage, with no difference in root damage across soils from different rotation treatments (Table 1)
Summary
Current intensive agricultural practices include the widespread adoption of two-year maize (Zea mays L.) and soybean We hypothesized that maize seedlings growing in soils from rotation sequences which promote greater plant yield and soil health (i.e. those including sunflower and pea) will be less affected by a biotic stressor; and that the effect of the biotic stress is associated with specific changes in maize-associated bacterial and fungal communities. To test this hypothesis, we collected soils from four different rotations, for which either maize, pea, soybean or sunflower preceded maize in the field. Maize plant health and vigor were subsequently measured and rhizosphere bacterial and fungal communities were assessed by amplicon sequencing of ribosomal markers
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