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Yang L, Chen TY, Li ZY, Muhammad I, Chi YX, Zhou XB. Straw incorporation and nitrogen fertilization regulate soil quality, enzyme activities and maize crop productivity in dual maize cropping system. BMC PLANT BIOLOGY 2024; 24:729. [PMID: 39080585 PMCID: PMC11289928 DOI: 10.1186/s12870-024-05451-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2024] [Accepted: 07/23/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Straw incorporation serves as an effective strategy to enhance soil fertility and soil microbial biomass carbon (SMBC), which in turn improves maize yield and agricultural sustainability. However, our understanding of nitrogen (N) fertilization and straw incorporation into soil microenvironment is still evolving. This study explored the impact of six N fertilization rates (N0, N100, N150, N200, N250, and N300) with and without straw incorporation on soil fertility, SMBC, enzyme activities, and maize yield. RESULTS Results showed that both straw management and N fertilization significantly affected soil organic carbon (SOC), total N, SMBC, soil enzyme activities, and maize yield. Specifically, the N250 treatment combined with straw incorporation significantly increased SOC, total N, and SMBC compared to lower fertilization rates. Additionally, enzyme activities such as urease, cellulase, sucrose, catalase, and acid phosphatase reached their peak during the V6 growth stage in the N200 treatment under for both straw management conditions. Compared to N250 and N300 treatments of traditional planting, the N200 treatment with residue incorporation significantly increased yield by 8.30 and 4.22%, respectively. All measured parameters, except for cellulase activity, were significantly higher in spring than in the autumn across both study years, with notable increases observed in 2021. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that optimal levels of SOC, soil total N (STN), and SMBC, along with increased soil enzyme activities, is crucial for sustaining soil fertility and enhancing maize grain yield under straw incorporation and N200 treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Yang
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Agro-environment and Agro-products Safety, Key Laboratory of Crop Cultivation and Physiology, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004, China
| | - Teng Yan Chen
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Agro-environment and Agro-products Safety, Key Laboratory of Crop Cultivation and Physiology, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004, China
| | - Zhong Yi Li
- Agricultural Resources and Environmental Research Institute, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Arable Land Conservation, Guangxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanning, 530004, China
| | - Ihsan Muhammad
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Agro-environment and Agro-products Safety, Key Laboratory of Crop Cultivation and Physiology, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004, China
| | - Yu Xin Chi
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Agro-environment and Agro-products Safety, Key Laboratory of Crop Cultivation and Physiology, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004, China
| | - Xun Bo Zhou
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Agro-environment and Agro-products Safety, Key Laboratory of Crop Cultivation and Physiology, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004, China.
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Shen C, Li X, Qin J. Kiwifruit-Agaricus blazei intercropping effectively improved yield productivity, nutrient uptake, and rhizospheric bacterial community. Sci Rep 2024; 14:16546. [PMID: 39019951 PMCID: PMC11255323 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-66030-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Intercropping systems have garnered attention as a sustainable agricultural approach for efficient land use, increased ecological diversity in farmland, and enhanced crop yields. This study examined the effect of intercropping on the kiwifruit rhizosphere to gain a deeper understanding of the relationships between cover plants and kiwifruit in this sustainable agricultural system. Soil physicochemical properties and bacterial communities were analyzed using the Kiwifruit-Agaricus blazei intercropping System. Moreover, a combined analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequencing and metabolomic sequencing was used to identify differential microbes and metabolites in the rhizosphere. Intercropping led to an increase in soil physicochemical and enzyme activity, as well as re-shaping the bacterial community and increasing microbial diversity. Proteobacteria, Bacteroidota, Myxococcota, and Patescibacteria were the most abundant and diverse phyla in the intercropping system. Expression analysis further revealed that the bacterial genera BIrii41, Acidibacter, and Altererythrobacter were significantly upregulated in the intercropping system. Moreover, 358 differential metabolites (DMs) were identified between the monocropping and intercropping cultivation patterns, with fatty acyls, carboxylic acids and derivatives, and organooxygen compounds being significantly upregulated in the intercropping system. The KEGG metabolic pathways further revealed considerable enrichment of DMs in ABC transporters, histidine metabolism, and pyrimidine metabolism. This study identified a significant correlation between 95 bacterial genera and 79 soil metabolites, and an interactive network was constructed to explore the relationships between these differential microbes and metabolites in the rhizosphere. This study demonstrated that Kiwifruit-Agaricus blazei intercropping can be an effective, labor-saving, economic, and sustainable practice for reshaping bacterial communities and promoting the accumulation and metabolism of beneficial microorganisms in the rhizosphere.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuan Shen
- Shaannan Eco-Economy Research Center, Ankang University, Ankang, 725000, China.
| | - Xia Li
- Department of Electronic and Information Engineering, Ankang University, Ankang, 725000, China
| | - Jianfeng Qin
- Ankang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Ankang, 725000, China
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3
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Lv H, Yan C. Effects of wheat intercropping on growth and occurrence of Fusarium wilt in watermelon. PeerJ 2024; 12:e17587. [PMID: 38952963 PMCID: PMC11216207 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.17587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Watermelon is commonly affected by Fusarium wilt in a monoculture cropping system. Wheat intercropping alleviates the affection of Fusarium wilt of watermelon. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of wheat and watermelon intercropping on watermelon growth and Fusarium wilt. Our results showed that wheat and watermelon intercropping promoted growth, increased chlorophyll content, and photosynthesis of watermelon. Meanwhile, wheat and watermelon intercropping inhibited watermelon Fusarium wilt occurrence, decreased spore numbers, increased root vigor, increased antioxidant enzyme activities, and decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) content in watermelon roots. Additionally, wheat and watermelon intercropping enhanced the bacterial colonies and total microbes growth in soil, decreased fungi and Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum (FON) colonies, and increased soil enzyme activities in watermelon rhizosphere soil. Our results indicated that wheat and watermelon intercropping enhanced watermelon growth and decreased the incidence of Fusarium wilt in watermelon. These effects could be due to intercropping inducing physiological changes, regulating soil enzyme activities, and/or modulating soil microbial communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- HuiFang Lv
- Institute of Vegetables, Anhui Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Heifei, Anhui, China
- Blueberry Engineering Technology Research Center of Anhui, School of Biology and Food Engineering, HeFei Normal University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - CongSheng Yan
- Institute of Vegetables, Anhui Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Heifei, Anhui, China
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4
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Li C, Lambers H, Jing J, Zhang C, Bezemer TM, Klironomos J, Cong WF, Zhang F. Belowground cascading biotic interactions trigger crop diversity benefits. TRENDS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2024:S1360-1385(24)00115-8. [PMID: 38821841 DOI: 10.1016/j.tplants.2024.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Revised: 04/21/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024]
Abstract
Crop diversification practices offer numerous synergistic benefits. So far, research has traditionally been confined to exploring isolated, unidirectional single-process interactions among plants, soil, and microorganisms. Here, we present a novel and systematic perspective, unveiling the intricate web of plant-soil-microbiome interactions that trigger cascading effects. Applying the principles of cascading interactions can be an alternative way to overcome soil obstacles such as soil compaction and soil pathogen pressure. Finally, we introduce a research framework comprising the design of diversified cropping systems by including commercial varieties and crops with resource-efficient traits, the exploration of cascading effects, and the innovation of field management. We propose that this provides theoretical and methodological insights that can reveal new mechanisms by which crop diversity increases productivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunjie Li
- State Key Laboratory of Nutrient Use and Management, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Hans Lambers
- State Key Laboratory of Nutrient Use and Management, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; School of Biological Sciences and Institute of Agriculture, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Jingying Jing
- College of Grassland Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, 100193 Beijing, China
| | - Chaochun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Nutrient Use and Management, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - T Martijn Bezemer
- Institute of Biology, Leiden University, 2333, BE, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - John Klironomos
- Department of Biology, Chemistry and Environmental Sciences, American University of Sharjah, PO Box 26666, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Wen-Feng Cong
- State Key Laboratory of Nutrient Use and Management, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China.
| | - Fusuo Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Nutrient Use and Management, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
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Ma Y, Zheng C, Bo Y, Song C, Zhu F. Improving crop salt tolerance through soil legacy effects. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2024; 15:1396754. [PMID: 38799102 PMCID: PMC11116649 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2024.1396754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Soil salinization poses a critical problem, adversely affecting plant development and sustainable agriculture. Plants can produce soil legacy effects through interactions with the soil environments. Salt tolerance of plants in saline soils is not only determined by their own stress tolerance but is also closely related to soil legacy effects. Creating positive soil legacy effects for crops, thereby alleviating crop salt stress, presents a new perspective for improving soil conditions and increasing productivity in saline farmlands. Firstly, the formation and role of soil legacy effects in natural ecosystems are summarized. Then, the processes by which plants and soil microbial assistance respond to salt stress are outlined, as well as the potential soil legacy effects they may produce. Using this as a foundation, proposed the application of salt tolerance mechanisms related to soil legacy effects in natural ecosystems to saline farmlands production. One aspect involves leveraging the soil legacy effects created by plants to cope with salt stress, including the direct use of halophytes and salt-tolerant crops and the design of cropping patterns with the specific crop functional groups. Another aspect focuses on the utilization of soil legacy effects created synergistically by soil microorganisms. This includes the inoculation of specific strains, functional microbiota, entire soil which legacy with beneficial microorganisms and tolerant substances, as well as the application of novel technologies such as direct use of rhizosphere secretions or microbial transmission mechanisms. These approaches capitalize on the characteristics of beneficial microorganisms to help crops against salinity. Consequently, we concluded that by the screening suitable salt-tolerant crops, the development rational cropping patterns, and the inoculation of safe functional soils, positive soil legacy effects could be created to enhance crop salt tolerance. It could also improve the practical significance of soil legacy effects in the application of saline farmlands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Ma
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Water Resources, Hebei Key Laboratory of Soil Ecology, Center for Agricultural Resources Research, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shijiazhuang, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Chunyan Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Water Resources, Hebei Key Laboratory of Soil Ecology, Center for Agricultural Resources Research, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Yukun Bo
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Water Resources, Hebei Key Laboratory of Soil Ecology, Center for Agricultural Resources Research, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Chunxu Song
- State Key Laboratory of Nutrient Use and Management, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, National Academy of Agriculture Green Development, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Plant-Soil Interactions, Ministry of Education, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
- National Observation and Research Station of Agriculture Green Development, Quzhou, China
| | - Feng Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Water Resources, Hebei Key Laboratory of Soil Ecology, Center for Agricultural Resources Research, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shijiazhuang, China
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6
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Wang Y, Zhang Y, Yang Z, Fei J, Zhou X, Rong X, Peng J, Luo G. Intercropping improves maize yield and nitrogen uptake by regulating nitrogen transformation and functional microbial abundance in rhizosphere soil. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2024; 358:120886. [PMID: 38648726 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.120886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
Intercropping-driven changes in nitrogen (N)-acquiring microbial genomes and functional expression regulate soil N availability and plant N uptake. However, present data seem to be limited to a specific community, obscuring the viewpoint of entire N-acquiring microbiomes and functions. Taking maize intercropped with legumes (peanut and soybean) and non-legumes (gingelly and sweet potato) as models, we studied the effects of intercropping on N transformations and N-acquiring microbiomes in rhizosphere soil across four maize growth stages. Meanwhile, we compiled promising strategies such as random forest analysis and structural equation model for the exploitation of the associations between microbe-driven N dynamics and soil-plant N trade-offs and maize productivity. Compared with monoculture, maize intercropping significantly increased the denitrification rate of rhizosphere soils across four maize growth stages, net N mineralization in the elongation and flowering stages, and the nitrification rate in the seedling and mature stages. The abundance of most N-acquiring microbial populations was influenced significantly by intercropping patterns and maize growth stages. Soil available N components (NH4+-N, NO3--N, and dissolved organic N content) showed a highly direct effect on plant N uptake, which mainly mediated by N transformations (denitrification rate) and N-acquiring populations (amoB, nirK3, and hzsB genes). Overall, the adaptation of N-acquiring microbiomes to changing rhizosphere micro-environments caused by intercropping patterns and maize development could promote soil N transformations and dynamics to meet demand of maize for N nutrient. This would offer another unique perspective to manage the benefits of the highly N-effective and production-effective intercropping ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yizhe Wang
- College of Resources, Hunan Agricultural University, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Farmland Pollution Control and Agricultural Resources Use, Changsha, 410128, China
| | - Yuping Zhang
- College of Resources, Hunan Agricultural University, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Farmland Pollution Control and Agricultural Resources Use, Changsha, 410128, China; National Engineering Laboratory for Efficient Utilization of Soil and Fertilizer Resources, Changsha, 410128, China.
| | - Ziyu Yang
- College of Resources, Hunan Agricultural University, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Farmland Pollution Control and Agricultural Resources Use, Changsha, 410128, China
| | - Jiangchi Fei
- College of Resources, Hunan Agricultural University, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Farmland Pollution Control and Agricultural Resources Use, Changsha, 410128, China; National Engineering Laboratory for Efficient Utilization of Soil and Fertilizer Resources, Changsha, 410128, China.
| | - Xuan Zhou
- Institute of Soil and Fertilizer, Hunan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changsha, 410125, China
| | - Xiangmin Rong
- College of Resources, Hunan Agricultural University, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Farmland Pollution Control and Agricultural Resources Use, Changsha, 410128, China; National Engineering Laboratory for Efficient Utilization of Soil and Fertilizer Resources, Changsha, 410128, China
| | - Jianwei Peng
- College of Resources, Hunan Agricultural University, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Farmland Pollution Control and Agricultural Resources Use, Changsha, 410128, China; National Engineering Laboratory for Efficient Utilization of Soil and Fertilizer Resources, Changsha, 410128, China
| | - Gongwen Luo
- College of Resources, Hunan Agricultural University, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Farmland Pollution Control and Agricultural Resources Use, Changsha, 410128, China; National Engineering Laboratory for Efficient Utilization of Soil and Fertilizer Resources, Changsha, 410128, China.
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Quattrone A, Yang Y, Yadav P, Weber KA, Russo SE. Nutrient and Microbiome-Mediated Plant-Soil Feedback in Domesticated and Wild Andropogoneae: Implications for Agroecosystems. Microorganisms 2023; 11:2978. [PMID: 38138123 PMCID: PMC10745641 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11122978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Plants influence the abiotic and biotic environment of the rhizosphere, affecting plant performance through plant-soil feedback (PSF). We compared the strength of nutrient and microbe-mediated PSF and its implications for plant performance in domesticated and wild grasses with a fully crossed greenhouse PSF experiment using four inbred maize genotypes (Zea mays ssp. mays b58, B73-wt, B73-rth3, and HP301), teosinte (Z. mays ssp. parviglumis), and two wild prairie grasses (Andropogon gerardii and Tripsacum dactyloides) to condition soils for three feedback species (maize B73-wt, teosinte, Andropogon gerardii). We found evidence of negative PSF based on growth, phenotypic traits, and foliar nutrient concentrations for maize B73-wt, which grew slower in maize-conditioned soil than prairie grass-conditioned soil. In contrast, teosinte and A. gerardii showed few consistent feedback responses. Both rhizobiome and nutrient-mediated mechanisms were implicated in PSF. Based on 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing, the rhizosphere bacterial community composition differed significantly after conditioning by prairie grass and maize plants, and the final soil nutrients were significantly influenced by conditioning, more so than by the feedback plants. These results suggest PSF-mediated soil domestication in agricultural settings can develop quickly and reduce crop productivity mediated by PSF involving changes to both the soil rhizobiomes and nutrient availability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Quattrone
- Complex Biosystems Ph.D. Program, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68583-0851, USA
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588-0118, USA; (Y.Y.)
- Center for Plant Science Innovation, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68583-0705, USA
| | - Yuguo Yang
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588-0118, USA; (Y.Y.)
| | - Pooja Yadav
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588-0118, USA; (Y.Y.)
| | - Karrie A. Weber
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588-0118, USA; (Y.Y.)
- Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588-0340, USA
- Daugherty Water for Food Institute, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68588-6203, USA
| | - Sabrina E. Russo
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588-0118, USA; (Y.Y.)
- Center for Plant Science Innovation, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68583-0705, USA
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Aguilera-Huertas J, Cuartero J, Ros M, Pascual JA, Parras-Alcántara L, González-Rosado M, Özbolat O, Zornoza R, Egea-Cortines M, Hurtado-Navarro M, Lozano-García B. How binomial (traditional rainfed olive grove-Crocus sativus) crops impact the soil bacterial community and enhance microbial capacities. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2023; 345:118572. [PMID: 37421720 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.118572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/02/2023] [Indexed: 07/10/2023]
Abstract
Intercropping can favour the yield of the main crop. However, because of the potential competition among woody crops, this system is rarely used by farmers. To increase knowledge about the intercropping system, we have explored three different combinations of alley cropping in rainfed olive groves compared to conventional management (CP): (i) Crocus sativus (D-S); (ii) Vicia sativa/Avena sativa in annual rotation (D-O); and (iii) Lavandula x intermedia (D-L). Different soil chemical properties were analyzed to evaluate the effects of alley cropping, while 16S rRNA amplification and enzymatic activities were determined to study the changes that occurred in soil microbial communities and activity. In addition, the influence of intercropping on the potential functionality of the soil microbial community was measured. Data revealed that the intercropping systems highly affected the microbial community and soil properties. The D-S cropping system increased soil total organic carbon and total nitrogen that were correlated with the bacterial community, indicating that both parameters were the main drivers shaping the structure of the bacterial community. The D-S soil cropping system had significantly higher relative abundances of the phyla Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria, and Patescibacteria compared to the other systems and the genera Adhaeribacter, Arthrobacter, Rubellimicrobium, and Ramlibacter, related to C and N functions. D-S soil was also related to the highest relative abundances of Pseudoarthrobacter and Haliangium, associated with the plant growth-promoting effect, antifungal activity, and a potential P solubilizer. A potentially increase of C fixation and N fixation in soils was also observed in the D-S cropping system. These positive changes were related to the cessation of tillage and the development of a spontaneous cover crop, which increased soil protection. Thus, management practices that contribute to increasing soil cover should be encouraged to improve soil functionality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesús Aguilera-Huertas
- SUMAS Research Group, Department of Agricultural Chemistry, Soil Science and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Agrifood Campus of International Excellence - ceiA3, University of Cordoba, 14071, Cordoba, Spain
| | - Jessica Cuartero
- Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL, 8903, Birmensdorf, Switzerland; Grupo de Enzimología y Biorremediación de suelos y residuos Orgánicos. Centro de Edafología y Biología aplicada del Segura (CEBAS-CSIC), Campus Universitario de Espinardo, 30100, Murcia, Spain
| | - Margarita Ros
- Grupo de Enzimología y Biorremediación de suelos y residuos Orgánicos. Centro de Edafología y Biología aplicada del Segura (CEBAS-CSIC), Campus Universitario de Espinardo, 30100, Murcia, Spain
| | - Jose Antonio Pascual
- Grupo de Enzimología y Biorremediación de suelos y residuos Orgánicos. Centro de Edafología y Biología aplicada del Segura (CEBAS-CSIC), Campus Universitario de Espinardo, 30100, Murcia, Spain
| | - Luis Parras-Alcántara
- SUMAS Research Group, Department of Agricultural Chemistry, Soil Science and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Agrifood Campus of International Excellence - ceiA3, University of Cordoba, 14071, Cordoba, Spain
| | - Manuel González-Rosado
- SUMAS Research Group, Department of Agricultural Chemistry, Soil Science and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Agrifood Campus of International Excellence - ceiA3, University of Cordoba, 14071, Cordoba, Spain; Department of Agricultural Science, Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena, Paseo Alfonso XIII 48, 30203, Cartagena, Spain
| | - Onurcan Özbolat
- Department of Agricultural Science, Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena, Paseo Alfonso XIII 48, 30203, Cartagena, Spain; Instituto de Biotecnología Vegetal, Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena, Plaza del Hospital s/n, 30202, Cartagena, Spain
| | - Raúl Zornoza
- Department of Agricultural Science, Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena, Paseo Alfonso XIII 48, 30203, Cartagena, Spain; Instituto de Biotecnología Vegetal, Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena, Plaza del Hospital s/n, 30202, Cartagena, Spain
| | - Marcos Egea-Cortines
- Department of Agricultural Science, Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena, Paseo Alfonso XIII 48, 30203, Cartagena, Spain; Instituto de Biotecnología Vegetal, Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena, Plaza del Hospital s/n, 30202, Cartagena, Spain
| | - María Hurtado-Navarro
- Grupo de Enzimología y Biorremediación de suelos y residuos Orgánicos. Centro de Edafología y Biología aplicada del Segura (CEBAS-CSIC), Campus Universitario de Espinardo, 30100, Murcia, Spain
| | - Beatriz Lozano-García
- SUMAS Research Group, Department of Agricultural Chemistry, Soil Science and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Agrifood Campus of International Excellence - ceiA3, University of Cordoba, 14071, Cordoba, Spain.
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Benmrid B, Ghoulam C, Zeroual Y, Kouisni L, Bargaz A. Bioinoculants as a means of increasing crop tolerance to drought and phosphorus deficiency in legume-cereal intercropping systems. Commun Biol 2023; 6:1016. [PMID: 37803170 PMCID: PMC10558546 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05399-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Ensuring plant resilience to drought and phosphorus (P) stresses is crucial to support global food security. The phytobiome, shaped by selective pressures, harbors stress-adapted microorganisms that confer host benefits like enhanced growth and stress tolerance. Intercropping systems also offer benefits through facilitative interactions, improving plant growth in water- and P-deficient soils. Application of microbial consortia can boost the benefits of intercropping, although questions remain about the establishment, persistence, and legacy effects within resident soil microbiomes. Understanding microbe- and plant-microbe dynamics in drought-prone soils is key. This review highlights the beneficial effects of rhizobacterial consortia-based inoculants in legume-cereal intercropping systems, discusses challenges, proposes a roadmap for development of P-solubilizing drought-adapted consortia, and identifies research gaps in crop-microbe interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bouchra Benmrid
- Plant-Microbe Interactions Laboratory, AgroBiosciences Program, College for Sustainable Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, Ben Guerir, 43150, Morocco.
| | - Cherki Ghoulam
- Plant-Microbe Interactions Laboratory, AgroBiosciences Program, College for Sustainable Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, Ben Guerir, 43150, Morocco
- Agrobiotechnology & Bioengineering Center, Research Unit CNRST labeled, Cadi Ayyad University, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques, 40000, Marrakech, Morocco
| | - Youssef Zeroual
- Situation Innovation - OCP Group, Jorf Lasfar, 24025, Morocco
| | - Lamfeddal Kouisni
- African Sustainable Agriculture Research Institute, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, Laayoune, Morocco
| | - Adnane Bargaz
- Plant-Microbe Interactions Laboratory, AgroBiosciences Program, College for Sustainable Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, Ben Guerir, 43150, Morocco.
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10
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Differences in Soil Microbial Communities between Healthy and Diseased Lycium barbarum cv. Ningqi-5 Plants with Root Rot. Microorganisms 2023; 11:microorganisms11030694. [PMID: 36985267 PMCID: PMC10054753 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11030694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023] Open
Abstract
For a long time, the development of the Lycium barbarum industry has been seriously restricted by root rot disease. In general, the occurrence of plant root rot is considered to be closely related to the composition and diversity of the soil microbial community. It is critical to understand the relationship between the occurrence of root rot in L. barbarum and the soil microbial composition. In this study, samples of the rhizosphere, rhizoplane, and root zone were collected from diseased and healthy plants. The V3–V4 region of bacterial 16S rDNA and the fungal ITS1 fragment of the collected samples were sequenced using Illumina MiSeq high-throughput sequencing technology. The sequencing results were first quality controlled and then aligned with the relevant databases for annotation and analysis. The richness of fungal communities in the rhizoplane and root zone of the healthy plants was significantly higher than that of the diseased plants (p < 0.05), and the community evenness and diversity of all the rhizoplane samples were significantly different from those of the rhizosphere and root zone. The richness of the bacterial communities in the rhizosphere and root zone of healthy plants was significantly greater than those of diseased plants (p < 0.05). The community composition of the rhizoplane was quite different from the other parts. The abundance of Fusarium in the rhizoplane and rhizosphere soil of diseased plants was higher than that in the corresponding parts of healthy plants. The abundances of Mortierella and Ilyonectria in the three parts of the healthy plants were correspondingly higher than those in the three parts of the diseased plants, and Plectosphaerella was the most abundant in the rhizoplane of diseased plants. There was little difference in the composition of the dominant bacteria at the phylum and genus levels between healthy plants and diseased plants, but the abundances of these dominant bacteria were different between healthy and diseased plants. Functional prediction showed that the bacterial community had the largest proportion of functional abundance belonging to metabolism. The functional abundances of the diseased plants, such as metabolism and genetic information processing, were lower than those of the healthy plants. The fungal community function prediction showed that the Animal Pathogen-Endophyte-Lichen Parasite-Plant Pathogen-Soil Saprotroph-Wood Saprotroph group had the largest functional abundance, and the corresponding fungi were Fusarium. In this study, we mainly discussed the differences in the soil microbial communities and their functions between the healthy and diseased L. barbarum cv. Ningqi-5, and predicted the functional composition of the microbial community, which is of great significance to understanding the root rot of L. barbarum.
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Xavier GR, Jesus EDC, Dias A, Coelho MRR, Molina YC, Rumjanek NG. Contribution of Biofertilizers to Pulse Crops: From Single-Strain Inoculants to New Technologies Based on Microbiomes Strategies. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:954. [PMID: 36840302 PMCID: PMC9962295 DOI: 10.3390/plants12040954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Pulses provide distinct health benefits due to their low fat content and high protein and fiber contents. Their grain production reaches approximately 93,210 × 103 tons per year. Pulses benefit from the symbiosis with atmospheric N2-fixing bacteria, which increases productivity and reduces the need for N fertilizers, thus contributing to mitigation of environmental impact mitigation. Additionally, the root region harbors a rich microbial community with multiple traits related to plant growth promotion, such as nutrient increase and tolerance enhancement to abiotic or biotic stresses. We reviewed the eight most common pulses accounting for almost 90% of world production: common beans, chickpeas, peas, cowpeas, mung beans, lentils, broad beans, and pigeon peas. We focused on updated information considering both single-rhizobial inoculation and co-inoculation with plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria. We found approximately 80 microbial taxa with PGPR traits, mainly Bacillus sp., B. subtilis, Pseudomonas sp., P. fluorescens, and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, and that contributed to improve plant growth and yield under different conditions. In addition, new data on root, nodule, rhizosphere, and seed microbiomes point to strategies that can be used to design new generations of biofertilizers, highlighting the importance of microorganisms for productive pulse systems.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Anelise Dias
- Departamento de Fitotecnia, Instituto de Agronomia, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, UFRRJ, Rodovia BR-465, Km 7, Seropédica 23890-000, RJ, Brazil
| | | | - Yulimar Castro Molina
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Microbiologia Agrícola, Universidade Federal de Lavras, UFLA, Trevo Rotatório Professor Edmir Sá Santos, Lavras 37203-202, MG, Brazil
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12
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Zhou X, Liu L, Zhao J, Zhang J, Cai Z, Huang X. High carbon resource diversity enhances the certainty of successful plant pathogen and disease control. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2023; 237:1333-1346. [PMID: 36305241 DOI: 10.1111/nph.18582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The host-associated microbiome highly determines plant health. Available organic resources, such as food for microbes, are important in shaping microbial community structure and multifunctionality. However, how using organic resources precisely manipulates the soil microbiome and makes it supportive of plant health remains unclear. Here, we experimentally tested the influence of carbon resource diversity on the microbial trophic network and pathogen invasion success in a microcosm study. We further explored how resource diversity affects microbial evenness, community functions, and plant disease outcomes in systems involving tomato plants and the in vivo soil microbiome. Increasing available resource diversity altered trophic network architecture, increased microbial evenness, and thus increased the certainty of successful pathogen control. By contrast, the invasion resistance effects of low resource diversity were less effective and highly varied. Accordingly, increases in the evenness and connection of dominant species induced by high resource diversity significantly contributed to plant disease suppression. Furthermore, high carbohydrate diversity upregulated plant immune system regulation-related microbial functions. Our results deepen the biodiversity-invasion resistance theory and provide practical guidance for the control of plant pathogens and diseases by using organic resource-mediated approaches, such as crop rotation, intercropping, and organic amendments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing Zhou
- School of Geography, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Liangliang Liu
- School of Geography, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Jun Zhao
- School of Geography, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210023, China
- Jiangsu Engineering Research Center for Soil Utilization & Sustainable Agriculture, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Jinbo Zhang
- School of Geography, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210023, China
- Jiangsu Center for Collaborative Innovation in Geographical Information Resource Development and Application, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Zucong Cai
- School of Geography, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210023, China
- Jiangsu Engineering Research Center for Soil Utilization & Sustainable Agriculture, Nanjing, 210023, China
- Jiangsu Center for Collaborative Innovation in Geographical Information Resource Development and Application, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Xinqi Huang
- School of Geography, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210023, China
- Jiangsu Engineering Research Center for Soil Utilization & Sustainable Agriculture, Nanjing, 210023, China
- Jiangsu Center for Collaborative Innovation in Geographical Information Resource Development and Application, Nanjing, 210023, China
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Xiao X, Han L, Chen H, Wang J, Zhang Y, Hu A. Intercropping enhances microbial community diversity and ecosystem functioning in maize fields. Front Microbiol 2023; 13:1084452. [PMID: 36687629 PMCID: PMC9846038 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1084452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and aims Intercropping, a widely used planting pattern, could affect soil physicochemical properties, microbial community diversity, and further crop yields. However, its impacts on soil microbial diversity and ecosystem functioning and further soil sustainability are poorly understood. Methods We conducted field experiments by intercropping maize with four important crops (i.e., sesame, peanut, soybean, and sweet potato), and examined soil microbial community diversity and ecosystem functioning such as microbial biomass and enzyme activities under monocropping and intercropping. We quantified their intercropping effects on microbial diversity and ecosystem functions with effect size metric Cohen d by comparing to the monocropping of maize. Results We found that the four intercropping systems significantly increased soil aggregates in respective of the 2-0.25 mm grain size. Intercropping consistently elevated ecosystem functioning, such as soil enzyme activities of urease, phosphatase, and catalase, soil microbial biomass carbon and soil microbial biomass nitrogen. The Cohen d of bacterial richness also increased from 0.39 to 2.36, the latter of which was significant for maize/peanut intercropping. Notably, these ecosystem functions were strongly associated with the diversity of bacteria and fungi and the relative abundance of their ecological clusters identified with network analysis. Conclusion Together, our findings indicate that intercropping generally affected soil physicochemical properties, ecosystem functions, and promoted microbial community diversity. More importantly, our findings highlight the important roles of microbial diversity of ecological clusters (that is, network modules) in maintaining ecosystem functioning after intercropping. These results will help to better understand the microbial diversity and ecosystem function in intercropping systems and guide agricultural practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiwen Xiao
- College of Resources and Environment, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, China
| | - Lei Han
- College of Resources and Environment, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, China
| | - Hongri Chen
- College of Resources and Environment, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, China
| | - Jianjun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Lake Science and Environment, Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology, Chinese Academic of Sciences, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuping Zhang
- College of Resources and Environment, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, China,*Correspondence: Yuping Zhang, ; Ang Hu,
| | - Ang Hu
- College of Resources and Environment, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, China,*Correspondence: Yuping Zhang, ; Ang Hu,
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Plant litter strengthens positive biodiversity-ecosystem functioning relationships over time. Trends Ecol Evol 2023; 38:473-484. [PMID: 36599737 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2022.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Revised: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Plant biodiversity-productivity relationships become stronger over time in grasslands, forests, and agroecosystems. Plant shoot and root litter is important in mediating these positive relationships, yet the functional role of plant litter remains overlooked in long-term experiments. We propose that plant litter strengthens biodiversity-ecosystem functioning relationships over time in four ways by providing decomposing detritus that releases nitrogen (N) over time for uptake by existing and succeeding plants, enhancing overall soil fertility, changing soil community composition, and reducing the impact of residue-borne pathogens and pests. We bring new insights into how diversity-productivity relationships may change over time and suggest that the diversification of crop residue retention through increased residue diversity from plant mixtures will improve the sustainability of food production systems.
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15
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Ablimit R, Li W, Zhang J, Gao H, Zhao Y, Cheng M, Meng X, An L, Chen Y. Altering microbial community for improving soil properties and agricultural sustainability during a 10-year maize-green manure intercropping in Northwest China. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2022; 321:115859. [PMID: 35985268 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.115859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 07/17/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Maize is a crop that is cultivated worldwide. The Hexi Oasis is one of the most important areas for high-yield maize seed production in China. Green manure, a plant fertilizer, has great potential for increasing crop yield and agricultural sustainability. However, the role of microorganisms in soil health and the microbiological mechanism of green manure in improving soil fertility and crop production in the Hexi Oasis area remain unknown. The effects of maize-green manure intercropping on the soil microbial community structure and diversity and the mechanism of soil improvement were investigated in a 10-year field experiment. The study revealed that microbial phylotypes were grouped into four major ecological clusters. Module #2 is a soil core ecological cluster enriched with many plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. The application of green manure led to significantly increased soil pH, nutrient contents, and enzyme activities, and significantly reduced the relative abundance of potential plant pathogens compared with monocropping, which should ensure high and stable maize yield under long-term continuous cropping. It also increased the economic benefits by 56.39% compared with monocropping, owing to the additional products produced by the green manure. These improvements were associated with changes in the microbial community structure and activity, consistent with the structural equation model results. Therefore, soil microorganisms are the key drivers of the potential benefits of maize-green manure on agricultural sustainability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruxangul Ablimit
- School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, China; The Key Laboratory of Cell Activity and Adversity Adaptation, Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China.
| | - Weikun Li
- School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, China; The Key Laboratory of Cell Activity and Adversity Adaptation, Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Jiudong Zhang
- Institute of Soil, Fertilizer, and Water Saving Agriculture, Gansu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730070, China
| | - Haining Gao
- Key Laboratory of the Hexi Corridor Resources Utilization of Gansu, Zhangye, 734000, China
| | - Yiming Zhao
- School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | | | - Xueqin Meng
- School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Lizhe An
- School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, China.
| | - Yong Chen
- School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, China; The Key Laboratory of Cell Activity and Adversity Adaptation, Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China.
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16
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Huss CP, Holmes KD, Blubaugh CK. Benefits and Risks of Intercropping for Crop Resilience and Pest Management. JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY 2022; 115:1350-1362. [PMID: 35452091 DOI: 10.1093/jee/toac045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
To combat climate change, farmers must innovate through ecological intensification to boost food production, increase resilience to weather extremes, and shrink the carbon footprint of agriculture. Intercropping (where alternative crops or noncrop plants are integrated with cash crops) can strengthen and stabilize agroecosystems under climate change by improving resource use efficiency, enhancing soil water holding capacity, and increasing the diversity and quality of habitat for beneficial insects that provide pollination services and natural pest control. Despite these benefits, intercropping has yet to be widely adopted due to perceived risks and challenges including decreased crop yield, increased management complexity, a steep learning curve for successful management, and increased susceptibility to pests. Here, we explore the major benefits of intercropping in agricultural systems for pest control and climate resilience reported in 24 meta-analyses, while addressing risks and barriers to implementation. Most studies demonstrate clear benefits of intercropping for weed, pathogen, insect pest control, relative yield, and gross profitability. However, relatively few studies document ecosystem services conferred by intercrops alongside labor costs, which are key to economic sustainability for farmers. In addition to clearer demonstrations of the economic viability of intercropping, farmers also need strong technical and financial support during the adoption process to help them troubleshoot the site-specific complexities and challenges of managing polycultures. Ecological intensification of agriculture requires a more strategic approach than simplified production systems and is not without risks and challenges. Calibrating incentive programs to reduce financial burdens of risk for farmers could promote more widespread adoption of intercropping.
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Affiliation(s)
- C P Huss
- Department of Entomology, University of Georgia, 120 Cedar Street, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - K D Holmes
- Cornell University, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - C K Blubaugh
- Department of Entomology, University of Georgia, 120 Cedar Street, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
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Trinchera A, Migliore M, Warren Raffa D, Ommeslag S, Debode J, Shanmugam S, Dane S, Babry J, Kivijarvi P, Kristensen HL, Lepse L, Salo T, Campanelli G, Willekens K. Can multi-cropping affect soil microbial stoichiometry and functional diversity, decreasing potential soil-borne pathogens? A study on European organic vegetable cropping systems. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:952910. [PMID: 36237499 PMCID: PMC9552534 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.952910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Crop diversification in spatial and temporal patterns can optimize the synchronization of nutrients plant demand and availability in soils, as plant diversity and soil microbial communities are the main drivers of biogeochemical C and nutrient cycling. The introduction of multi-cropping in organic vegetable production can represent a key strategy to ensure efficient complementation mediated by soil microbiota, including beneficial mycorrhizal fungi. This study shows the effect of the introduction of multi-cropping in five European organic vegetable systems (South-West: Italy; North-West: Denmark and Belgium; North-East: Finland and Latvia) on: (i) soil physicochemical parameters; (ii) soil microbial biomass stoichiometry; (iii) crop root mycorrhization; (iv) bacterial and fungal diversity and composition in crop rhizosphere; (v) relative abundance of selected fungal pathogens species. In each site, three cropping systems were considered: (1) crop 1-monocropping; (2) crop 2-monocropping; (3) crop 1-crop 2-intercropping or strip cropping. Results showed that, just before harvest, multi-cropping can increase soil microbial biomass amount and shape microbial community toward a predominance of some bacteria or fungi phyla, in the function of soil nutrient availability. We mainly observed a selection effect of crop type on rhizosphere microbiota. Particularly, Bacteroidetes and Mortierellomycota relative abundances in rhizosphere soil resulted in suitable ecological indicators of the positive effect of plant diversity in field, the first ones attesting an improved C and P cycles in soil and the second ones a reduced soil pathogens' pressure. Plant diversity also increased the root mycorrhizal colonization between the intercropped crops that, when properly selected, can also reduce the relative abundance of potential soil-borne pathogens, with a positive effect on crop productivity in long term.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Trinchera
- Council for Agricultural Research and Economics-Research Centre for Agriculture and Environment, Rome, Italy
| | - Melania Migliore
- Council for Agricultural Research and Economics-Research Centre for Agriculture and Environment, Rome, Italy
| | - Dylan Warren Raffa
- Council for Agricultural Research and Economics-Research Centre for Agriculture and Environment, Rome, Italy
| | - Sarah Ommeslag
- Plant Sciences Unit, Flanders Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (ILVO), Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Jane Debode
- Plant Sciences Unit, Flanders Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (ILVO), Merelbeke, Belgium
| | | | - Sandra Dane
- Latvian Institute of Horticulture, LatHort, Dobeles Novads, Latvia
| | | | - Pirjo Kivijarvi
- LUKE (FI) Natural Resources Institute Finland, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Liga Lepse
- Latvian Institute of Horticulture, LatHort, Dobeles Novads, Latvia
| | - Tapio Salo
- LUKE (FI) Natural Resources Institute Finland, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Gabriele Campanelli
- Council for Agricultural Research and Economics-Research Centre for Vegetable and Ornamental Crops, Monsampolo del Tronto, Italy
| | - Koen Willekens
- Plant Sciences Unit, Flanders Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (ILVO), Merelbeke, Belgium
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Jing J, Cong WF, Bezemer TM. Legacies at work: plant-soil-microbiome interactions underpinning agricultural sustainability. TRENDS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 27:781-792. [PMID: 35701291 DOI: 10.1016/j.tplants.2022.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Revised: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Agricultural intensification has had long-lasting negative legacies largely because of excessive inputs of agrochemicals (e.g., fertilizers) and simplification of cropping systems (e.g., continuous monocropping). Conventional agricultural management focuses on suppressing these negative legacies. However, there is now increasing attention for creating positive above- and belowground legacies through selecting crop species/genotypes, optimizing temporal and spatial crop combinations, improving nutrient inputs, developing intelligent fertilizers, and applying soil or microbiome inoculations. This can lead to enhanced yields and reduced pest and disease pressure in cropping systems, and can also mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and enhance carbon sequestration in soils. Strengthening positive legacies requires a deeper understanding of plant-soil-microbiome interactions and innovative crop, input, and soil management which can help to achieve agricultural sustainability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingying Jing
- College of Grass Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, 100193 Beijing, China.
| | - Wen-Feng Cong
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Laboratory of Plant-Soil Interactions, Ministry of Education, National Observation and Research Station of Agriculture Green Development at Quzhou, China Agricultural University, 100193 Beijing, China.
| | - T Martijn Bezemer
- Institute of Biology, Above-Belowground Interactions Group, Leiden University, 2333 BE Leiden, The Netherlands; Department of Terrestrial Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Wageningen, The Netherlands
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19
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Muhammad I, Yang L, Ahmad S, Zeeshan M, Farooq S, Ali I, Khan A, Zhou XB. Irrigation and Nitrogen Fertilization Alter Soil Bacterial Communities, Soil Enzyme Activities, and Nutrient Availability in Maize Crop. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:833758. [PMID: 35185852 PMCID: PMC8851207 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.833758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Irrigation and nitrogen (N) fertilization rates are widely used to increase crop growth and yield and promote the sustainable production of the maize crop. However, our understanding of irrigation and N fertilization in the soil microenvironment is still evolving, and further research on soil bacterial communities under maize crop with irrigation and N management in subtropical regions of China is needed. Therefore, we evaluated the responses of two irrigation levels (low and high irrigation water with 60 and 80% field capacity, respectively) and five N fertilization rates [i.e., control (N0), N200 (200 kg N ha-1), N250 (250 kg N ha-1), N300 (300 kg N ha-1), and N350 (350 kg N ha-1)] on soil bacterial communities, richness, and diversity. We found that both irrigation and N fertilization significantly affected bacterial richness, diversity index, and number of sequences. Low irrigation with N300 treatment has significantly higher soil enzymes activities, soil nutrient content, and bacterial alpha and beta diversity than high irrigation. In addition, the Proteobacteria, Actinobacteriota, Chloroflexi, and Firmicutes were the dominant bacterial phyla under both irrigation regimes. The acidic phosphates, acidic invertase, β-glucosidase, catalase, cellulase, and urease were positively correlated with the Shannon index under both low and high irrigation. Therefore, low irrigation improves soil nutrient utilization by boosting soil enzyme activity, directly affecting soil bacterial communities. It was concluded that greater soil nutrients, enzyme activities with higher bacterial diversity are the main indicators of soil reactivity to low irrigation water and N300 for maintaining soil fertility and soil microbial community balance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ihsan Muhammad
- Guangxi Colleges and Universities Key Laboratory of Crop Cultivation and Tillage, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
| | - Li Yang
- Guangxi Colleges and Universities Key Laboratory of Crop Cultivation and Tillage, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
| | - Shakeel Ahmad
- Guangxi Colleges and Universities Key Laboratory of Crop Cultivation and Tillage, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
| | - Muhammad Zeeshan
- Guangxi Colleges and Universities Key Laboratory of Crop Cultivation and Tillage, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
| | - Saqib Farooq
- Guangxi Colleges and Universities Key Laboratory of Crop Cultivation and Tillage, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
| | - Izhar Ali
- Guangxi Colleges and Universities Key Laboratory of Crop Cultivation and Tillage, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
| | - Ahmad Khan
- Department of Agronomy, University of Agriculture, Peshawar, Pakistan
| | - Xun Bo Zhou
- Guangxi Colleges and Universities Key Laboratory of Crop Cultivation and Tillage, College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
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20
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Sullam KE, Musa T. Ecological Dynamics and Microbial Treatments against Oomycete Plant Pathogens. PLANTS 2021; 10:plants10122697. [PMID: 34961168 PMCID: PMC8707103 DOI: 10.3390/plants10122697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Revised: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
In this review, we explore how ecological concepts may help assist with applying microbial biocontrol agents to oomycete pathogens. Oomycetes cause a variety of agricultural diseases, including potato late blight, apple replant diseases, and downy mildew of grapevine, which also can lead to significant economic damage in their respective crops. The use of microbial biocontrol agents is increasingly gaining interest due to pressure from governments and society to reduce chemical plant protection products. The success of a biocontrol agent is dependent on many ecological processes, including the establishment on the host, persistence in the environment, and expression of traits that may be dependent on the microbiome. This review examines recent literature and trends in research that incorporate ecological aspects, especially microbiome, host, and environmental interactions, into biological control development and applications. We explore ecological factors that may influence microbial biocontrol agents’ efficacy and discuss key research avenues forward.
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21
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Yu RP, Lambers H, Callaway RM, Wright AJ, Li L. Belowground facilitation and trait matching: two or three to tango? TRENDS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 26:1227-1235. [PMID: 34400074 DOI: 10.1016/j.tplants.2021.07.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Revised: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/24/2021] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
High biodiversity increases ecosystem functions; however, belowground facilitation remains poorly understood in this context. Here, we explore mechanisms that operate via 'giving-receiving feedbacks' for belowground facilitation. These include direct effects via root exudates, signals, and root trait plasticity, and indirect biotic facilitation via the effects of root exudates on soil biota and feedback from biota to plants. We then highlight that these two- or three-way mechanisms must affect biodiversity-ecosystem function relationships via specific combinations of matching traits. To tango requires a powerful affinity and harmony between well-matched partners, and such matches link belowground facilitation to the effect of biodiversity on function. Such matching underpins applications in intercropping, forestry, and pasture systems, in which diversity contributes to greater productivity and sustainability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui-Peng Yu
- Key Laboratory of Plant-Soil Interactions, Ministry of Education, Beijing Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Organic Farming, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, 2 Yuan Ming Yuan West Road, Beijing 100193, PR China
| | - Hans Lambers
- School of Biological Sciences and Institute of Agriculture, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, Perth, WA 6009, Australia; National Academy of Agriculture Green Development, China Agricultural University, 2 Yuan Ming Yuan West Road, Beijing 100193, PR China
| | - Ragan M Callaway
- Division of Biological Sciences and Institute on Ecosystems, University of Montana, 32 Campus Drive, Missoula, MT 59812, USA
| | - Alexandra J Wright
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University Los Angeles, 5151 State University Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90032, USA
| | - Long Li
- Key Laboratory of Plant-Soil Interactions, Ministry of Education, Beijing Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Organic Farming, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, 2 Yuan Ming Yuan West Road, Beijing 100193, PR China.
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