Agricultural practices of perennial energy crops affect nitrogen cycling microbial communities

The purpose of the study was to compare earthworm communities under winter wheat in different crop production systems on arable land—organic (ORG), integrated (INT), conventional (CON), monoculture (MON)—and under perennial crops cultivated for energy purposes—willow (WIL), Virginia mallow (VIR), and miscanthus (MIS). Earthworm abundance, biomass, and species composition were assessed each spring and autumn in the years 2014–2016 using the method of soil blocks. The mean species number of earthworms was ordered in the following way: ORG > VIR > WIL > CON > INT > MIS > MON. Mean abundance of earthworms decreased in the following order: ORG > WIL > CON > VIR > INT > MIS > MON. There were significantly more species under winter wheat cultivated organically than under the integrated system (p = 0.045), miscanthus (p = 0.039), and wheat monoculture (p = 0.002). Earthworm abundance was significantly higher in the organic system compared to wheat monoculture (p = 0.001) and to miscanthus (p = 0.008). Among the tested energy crops, Virginia mallow created the best habitat for species richness and biomass due to the high amount of crop residues suitable for earthworms and was similar to the organic system. Differences in the composition of earthworm species in the soil under the compared agricultural systems were proven. Energy crops, except miscanthus, have been found to increase earthworm diversity, as they are good crops for landscape diversification.

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Effects of Liquidity Constraints, Risk and Related Time Effects on the Adoption of Perennial Energy Crops

Handbook of Bioenergy Economics and Policy: Volume II - Natural Resource Management and Policy ◽

10.1007/978-1-4939-6906-7_15 ◽

2017 ◽

pp. 373-399

Author(s):

Géraldine Bocquého

Keyword(s):

Liquidity Constraints ◽

Energy Crops ◽

Time Effects ◽

Perennial Energy Crops

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Microbial Communities, Functional Genes, and Nitrogen Cycling Processes as Affected by Tree Species

Soil Biological Communities and Ecosystem Resilience ◽

10.1007/978-3-319-63336-7_13 ◽

2017 ◽

pp. 209-221

Author(s):

Relena R. Ribbons ◽

Morag A. Mcdonald ◽

Lars Vesterdal

Keyword(s):

Microbial Communities ◽

Nitrogen Cycling ◽

Tree Species ◽

Functional Genes

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Mixed-Cropping Between Field Pea Varieties Alters Root Bacterial and Fungal Communities

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-019-53342-8 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Anthony Horner ◽

Samuel S. Browett ◽

Rachael E. Antwis

Keyword(s):

Microbial Communities ◽

Bacterial Communities ◽

Crop Production ◽

Agricultural Soils ◽

Critical Role ◽

Agricultural Practices ◽

Microbial Interactions ◽

Field Pea ◽

Fungal Communities ◽

Mixed Cropping

AbstractModern agricultural practices have vastly increased crop production but negatively affected soil health. As such, there is a call to develop sustainable, ecologically-viable approaches to food production. Mixed-cropping of plant varieties can increase yields, although impacts on plant-associated microbial communities are unclear, despite their critical role in plant health and broader ecosystem function. We investigated how mixed-cropping between two field pea (Pisum sativum L.) varieties (Winfreda and Ambassador) influenced root-associated microbial communities and yield. The two varieties supported significantly different fungal and bacterial communities when grown as mono-crops. Mixed-cropping caused changes in microbial communities but with differences between varieties. Root bacterial communities of Winfreda remained stable in response to mixed-cropping, whereas those of Ambassador became more similar to Winfreda. Conversely, root fungal communities of Ambassador remained stable under mixed-cropping, and those of Winfreda shifted towards the composition of Ambassador. Microbial co-occurrence networks of both varieties were stronger and larger under mixed-cropping, which may improve stability and resilience in agricultural soils. Both varieties produced slightly higher yields under mixed-cropping, although overall Ambassador plants produced higher yields than Winfreda plants. Our results suggest that variety diversification may increase yield and promote microbial interactions.

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It takes three to tango: the importance of microbes, host plant, and soil management to elucidate manipulation strategies for the plant microbiome

Canadian Journal of Microbiology ◽

10.1139/cjm-2020-0085 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 66 (7) ◽

pp. 413-433 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Micaela Tosi ◽

Eduardo Kovalski Mitter ◽

Jonathan Gaiero ◽

Kari Dunfield

Keyword(s):

Microbial Communities ◽

Host Plant ◽

Research Priorities ◽

Agricultural Practices ◽

Agricultural Technologies ◽

Current Trends ◽

Intrinsic Complexity ◽

Review Current ◽

Plant Microbiome

The world’s population is expected to grow to almost 10 billion by 2050, placing unprecedented demands on agriculture and natural resources. The risk in food security is also aggravated by climate change and land degradation, which compromise agricultural productivity. In recent years, our understanding of the role of microbial communities on ecosystem functioning, including plant-associated microbes, has advanced considerably. Yet, translating this knowledge into practical agricultural technologies is challenged by the intrinsic complexity of agroecosystems. Here, we review current strategies for plant microbiome manipulation, classifying them into three main pillars: (i) introducing and engineering microbiomes, (ii) breeding and engineering the host plant, and (iii) selecting agricultural practices that enhance resident soil and plant-associated microbial communities. In each of these areas, we analyze current trends in research, as well as research priorities and future perspectives.

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