Summary
This field study evaluated how nitrogen fertiliser management and maize hybrid selection jointly shape rhizosphere microbial communities and their functional capacity. The authors demonstrated that both crop hybrid choice and nitrogen application rates directly or indirectly influence microbial community assembly and function, with implications for optimising nitrogen use efficiency and supporting sustainable intensification of maize production.
Regional applicability
This study was conducted in China and focuses on maize hybrids (LD981 and DH605) developed for that agroclimate. Findings on the relationship between nitrogen management and rhizosphere microbiota structure may have transferable relevance to United Kingdom arable systems, particularly regarding optimising nitrogen use efficiency; however, direct application would require validation with UK-adapted varieties and under UK soil and climate conditions.
Key measures
Rhizosphere bacterial and fungal community composition and abundance (16S rRNA and ITS gene sequencing presumed); co-occurrence network analysis; functional pathway analysis including cysteine and methionine metabolism, pyruvate metabolism
Outcomes reported
The study compared the effects of four nitrogen fertiliser management regimes on rhizosphere bacterial and fungal community composition, assembly patterns, co-occurrence networks and functional potential in two maize hybrids. Increased nitrogen application altered microbial community structure and enriched metabolic pathways associated with amino acid and energy metabolism.
Topic tags
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