Summary
This multi-country field survey examined soil fungal communities in wheat across nine European pedoclimatic zones, comparing conventional and organic farming systems. Pedoclimatic zone was the primary driver of fungal composition, with moist, cool climates and low available phosphorus favouring higher fungal richness. Within zones, farming system, soil pH, and bulk density shaped fungal community structure, with organic farming generally promoting elevated fungal richness and distinct pathogenic or plant growth-promoting taxa depending on climatic conditions.
UK applicability
UK wheat fields, particularly in Nemoral and Central Atlantic zones, may benefit from organic farming practices to enhance fungal richness and potential symbiotic functions, though management of pathogenic fungi under organic systems in cooler, wetter conditions requires further investigation.
Key measures
ITS1 amplicon sequencing-based fungal richness, diversity, and relative abundance of fungal taxa; soil pH, bulk density, available phosphorus, carbonate content; pedoclimatic zone classification
Outcomes reported
The study quantified fungal community composition and richness across 188 wheat fields in nine European pedoclimatic zones under conventional and organic farming systems using ITS1 amplicon sequencing. It identified soil and climatic factors that shape fungal communities and farming system-induced changes in fungal taxa composition.
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