Illumina HiSeq paired-end sequencing of fungal and bacterial soil microbiome samples over corn production

Authors: SULLIVAN, MADSEN - University Of Illinois; GEARY, BRAD - Brigham Young University; Veum, Kristen; CHASTON, JOHN - Brigham Young University; KITCHEN, NEWELL - Retired ARS Employee; Ransom, Curtis; YOST, MATT - Utah State University

Submitted to: National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI)
Publication Type: Database / Dataset
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/21/2023
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Raw sequencing reads from genotyping-by-sequencing extracted from soil taken from three locations in Mid-Missouri with two different nitrogen fertilizer rates were applied (0 and 225 kg N ha^-1), at two depth (0-5 and 5-15 cm), and repeated 6 times throughout the corn growing season. Data was used to evaluate the effect of nitrogen fertilizer on the temporal changes of the soil microbiome. Results showed that soil characteristics (e.g., CEC, pH, organic matter) and nitrogen fertilization showed significant but minor influence on microbial abundance and biomass, while soil forming factors and corn growth stage had major influence. Each soil order had a distinct and significantly different bacterial and fungal community. Soil depth significantly influenced all Beta diversity metrics, and bacterial and fungal biomass was greater in the 0-5 cm depth. No microbial interactions influenced corn growth more than nitrogen. Though strong relationships between microbes and soil and plant health have been shown by others, linkages of microbiome information to agronomic decisions are rare, and unsupported here. This research was an attempt to identify possible linkages, but more information is necessary to merge management decisions with soil microbial dynamics to improve plant production; however, we recognize the ability to use them cooperatively.