Summary
This field study examined how strip-cropping and legume-based fertilisation practices influence soil microbial communities in long-term organically managed potato systems. Strip-cropping increased AMF abundance at crop edges, though potato pathogen abundance also increased at these interfaces; this edge effect was absent in plant-based systems. Legume legacy effects on soil pH more strongly influenced fungal community structure than strip-cropping itself, whilst bacterial communities remained largely unaffected by either practice. The findings suggest that sustainable soil health strategies require integrated consideration of crop diversity, soil management, and fertilisation type rather than any single intervention.
UK applicability
These findings are directly applicable to UK organic farming systems, where strip-cropping and legume integration are encouraged practices. The study's demonstration that legume-based systems can mitigate pathogen edge effects without yield loss may inform UK agroecological policy and organic certification guidance.
Key measures
Bacterial and fungal community composition (16S and ITS DNA sequencing); AMF and potato pathogen abundance (quantitative PCR); soil pH and abiotic properties; tuber disease symptoms and yield
Outcomes reported
The study characterised bacterial, fungal, and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) communities in organically managed potato-ley strip-cropping systems using DNA sequencing and quantitative PCR, and assessed the effects of strip-cropping layout and legume-based versus manure-based fertilisation on microbial composition and potato disease incidence.
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