Influence of corn, switchgrass, and prairie cropping systems on soil microbial communities in the upper Midwest of the United States

Jesus, EDC; Liang, C; Quensen, JF; Susilawati, E; Jackson, RD; Balser, TC; Tiedje, JM

HERO ID

5013527

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year

2016

Language

English

HERO ID 5013527
In Press No
Year 2016
Title Influence of corn, switchgrass, and prairie cropping systems on soil microbial communities in the upper Midwest of the United States
Authors Jesus, EDC; Liang, C; Quensen, JF; Susilawati, E; Jackson, RD; Balser, TC; Tiedje, JM
Journal Global Change Biology: Bioenergy
Volume 8
Issue 2
Page Numbers 481-494
Abstract Because soil microbes drive many of the processes underpinning ecosystem services provided by soils, understanding how cropping systems affect soil microbial communities is important for productive and sustainable management. We characterized and compared soil microbial communities under restored prairie and three potential cellulosic biomass crops (corn, switchgrass, and mixed prairie grasses) in two spatial experimental designs - side-by-side plots where plant communities were in their second year since establishment (i.e., intensive sites) and regionally distributed fields where plant communities had been in place for at least 10years (i.e., extensive sites). We assessed microbial community structure and composition using lipid analysis, pyrosequencing of rRNA genes (targeting fungi, bacteria, archaea, and lower eukaryotes), and targeted metagenomics of nifH genes. For the more recently established intensive sites, soil type was more important than plant community in determining microbial community structure, while plant community was the more important driver of soil microbial communities for the older extensive sites where microbial communities under corn were clearly differentiated from those under switchgrass and restored prairie. Bacterial and fungal biomasses, especially biomass of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, were higher under perennial grasses and restored prairie, suggesting a more active carbon pool and greater microbial processing potential, which should be beneficial for plant acquisition and ecosystem retention of carbon, water, and nutrients.
Doi 10.1111/gcbb.12289
Wosid WOS:000370492100019
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Is Public Yes
Language Text English
Keyword bacterial communities; biofuel crops; fungal communities; lipid analysis; nifH; pyrosequencing