Effects of conservation agriculture and bioinoculation on the microbiota of a soil cultivated with maize

Resumen

Objective: To evaluate the influence of conservation agriculture practices and bioinoculation on the soil microbiota in maize cultivation systems from the Frailesca region, Chiapas, Mexico, using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing

Design/methodology/approach: Microbial diversity was characterized in soils cultivated with maize white grain (Zea mays L.) under the influence of conservation agriculture (CA) and seed bioinoculation. Two experimental fields (A and B) were selected, each divided into two plots (P). Field A contained plot P1 (control) and P2 (CA management), while field B contained plots P3 (seed bioinoculation) and P4 (CA + bioinoculation). Soil samples were collected four months into the crop cycle to characterize microbial communities using 16S rRNA gene amplicon metabarcoding.

Results: The results showed changes in the microbial composition of the soil. The beta diversity analysis (PCoA-Bray–Curtis) showed differences in the microbial communities between the plots, where a separation of P4 (AC + bioinoculation) from P1, P2 and P3 was observed. The soil microbiota was dominated by the genera Candidatus Koribacter (P3>P4>P2>P1), Gemmatimonas (P4>P1>P2>P3) and Candidatus Solibacter (P4>P1>P3>P2), which are characteristic of the soil, with the ability to metabolize a wide range of simple and complex carbohydrates.

Limitations on study/implications: This study was conducted in a specific region and agricultural cycle; future research could consider seasonal variations and other crops to broaden our understanding of these microbial patterns.

Findings/conclusions: These results suggest that the combination of conservation agriculture and bioinoculation can promote specialized microbial communities, contributing to the maintenance of relevant ecological functions in agricultural soils.