Soil microbiomes in three farming systems more affected by depth than farming system

Agriculture, by its intentional design, manipulates the ecological functions of soils. It does so altering carbon and nutrient inputs; controlling plant community; in case tillage, physically disrupting redistributing soil within profile. While there are many studies that contrast microbiomes across farming systems, few have examined effect system on vertical organization taxa We hypothesized large effects systems edaphic factors would lead to impacts microbial community reflect underlying life history strategy microbes. For example, tillage increase proportion unicellular fungi. Our study compared had been place for 13 years mid-Atlantic region United States. Each is a 3-year rotation corn ( Zea mays ), soybean Glycine max), wheat Triticum aestivum managed with either conventional no-till, chisel-till, or using organic methods. determined relative long-term management depth structured sampling (0–5, 5–10, 10-Ap, Ap-30 cm). found relatively small but substantial communities. differences resulted subtle %C above Ap horizon. Fungal gene abundance increased no-till system, although neither fungal nor bacterial richness differed systems. Farming composition were greatest top 10 cm did not affect Several groups including Pseudomonas Mortierellomycota appear be sensitive redistribution it clear what extent this due legacy DNA from tillage. Thirteen-year grain results modest communities along profiles 1) Organic treatment distribution 2) No difference evenness among 3) A 30 profile represents much greater environmental gradient diversity than row-crop differ fertility pest • Depth larger community. concentrated cm. altered some increments.