Summary
This field study demonstrates that long-term fertilisation regime is a dominant driver of rhizosphere mycobiome structure, overriding plant species effects. Whilst organic manure increased overall fungal abundance, it reduced diversity; mineral NPK fertilisers had a more modest effect on diversity but significantly elevated the relative abundance of fungal phytopathogens such as Alternaria and Fusarium. The findings suggest fertilisation management could be leveraged to manipulate rhizosphere fungal communities and potentially enhance disease suppressiveness.
UK applicability
These findings are relevant to UK arable and horticultural practice, particularly where fertilisation choices between mineral and organic inputs are being evaluated for soil health outcomes. However, the study was conducted in Russia; local validation across UK soil types, climates, and agronomic conditions would strengthen applicability to British farming systems.
Key measures
Fungal community composition (phylum and genus-level taxonomy), fungal abundance, fungal diversity (species number), relative abundance of phytopathogens (Alternaria, Fusarium)
Outcomes reported
The study compared fungal community composition, diversity, and abundance in the rhizospheres of potato, white mustard, and maize under mineral (NPK) versus organic (cattle manure) fertilisation regimes. It measured shifts in fungal phyla abundance, species richness, and the relative abundance of phytopathogens.
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