Microbial consortium increases maize productivity and reduces grain phosphorus concentration under field conditions

BackgroundThe use of microbes that improve plant phosphorus (P) use efficiency is an avenue to boost crop yields while alleviating environmental impacts. We tested three microbial inoculants (Rhizoglomus irregulare alone – designated AMF; Pseudomonas putida alone – designated PSB; and R. irregulare and P. putida in consortium – designated AMF+PSB), combined with chemical fertilizers, in an intensive maize agricultural system.ResultsAs hypothesized: (i) despite the native soil microbial community and the application of P fertilizer, the microbial inoculants enhanced plant P uptake from the soil by 14–60%, and consequently improved P acquisition efficiency; (ii) PSB and AMF+PSB plants produced ±50% more biomass per unit of P taken up, and consequently enhanced plant internal P use efficiency (i.e. the biomass produced per unit of P); and (iii) the combined inoculation of AMF and PSB provided the best results in terms of productivity and P use efficiency. Further, the microbial inoculants altered P allocation within the plant, reducing grain P concentration.ConclusionBy testing the microbial inoculants under field conditions, our study clearly shows that the microbial consortium (AMF+PSB) increased maize productivity, and at the same time improved P use efficiency. Further, the use of these microbial inoculants was shown to be compatible with conventional agricultural management practices.     

Novel P-Solubilizers from Calcium Bound Phosphate Rich Pine Forest of Lower Himalaya

Phosphorus, an essential element for life, is continuously depleting from soils and thus demands sustainable management particularly in agriculture and forestry. Inorganic P constitutes the major proportion as tricalcium phosphate in soils of lower Himalayan region of Pakistan. We sampled these soils and screened for P-solubilizing microbes. A range of culturable microbial community (bacteria and fungi) was isolated and molecularly characterized which make the P available from mineral phosphates. There was an increase in abundance of phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) at a 6-inch depth of the pine rhizosphere compared to the surface soil samples. Moreover, the isolates from lower Himalaya have higher abundance and better efficiency to solubilize the inorganic P than the ones from non-Himalaya. Most likely the P-solubilization done by our P-solubilizing microbes is via acidification as we observed the decrease in pH of the medium of microbial growth. Furthermore, the majority of isolated PSB belong to gammaproteobacterial class of Gram negative bacteria. Most interestingly, 13% of our isolated PSB were psychrotolerant (physiologically active at cold environment, i.e., 4°C) and able to solubilize inorganic P as efficiently as at ambient temperature. This study is unique in reporting the P-solubilizing microbes, particularly the psychrotolerant bacterial strains, of Lower Himalaya. Therefore the isolated bacterial and fungal strains have potential and may serve as biofertilizers in the region to increase the P availability in soils.     

溶磷菌在磷素循环和生态农业中的作用与其生物肥料应用

大多数农业土壤有效磷资源有限，使用磷肥虽能缓解作物磷缺乏现象，但却带来较大的环境风险，影响农业生态稳定。微生物是土壤磷素循环的组成部分，在介导植物磷的可用性方面起着重要作用。溶磷菌(phosphate-solubilizing bacteria, PSB)可溶解土壤难溶性无机磷和有机磷，促进根系磷吸收，同时增强作物对逆境(如生物胁迫和非生物胁迫)的抵抗能力。目前，使用PSB作为潜在生物肥料已引起了相当大的关注，在可持续农业方面具有广阔的应用前景。本文系统阐述了PSB的农业生态学功能，并结合有机酸、水解酶、铁载体和1-氨基环丙烷-1-羧酸(1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylicacid,ACC)脱氨酶等因素，阐述了PSB溶磷促生的生理和分子机制，重点分析了PSB对土壤微生物群落的影响及其与根系分泌物的互作关系，同时介绍了应用推广PSB生物肥料的重点和难点，并提出使用PSB生物肥料是提高农业磷肥使用效率和作物产量的有效措施。文章还对PSB生物肥料在未来的研究及生产应用方面提出了建议，以促进PSB生物肥料在生态农业中的应用，缓解农业资源和环境带来的双重挑战，满足未来...     

Effect of the diverse combinations of useful microbes and chemical fertilizers on important traits of potato

The belowground soil environment is an active space for microbes, particularly Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) and P hosphate Solubilizing Bacteria (PSB) that can colonize with roots of higher plants. In the present experiment, we evaluated the combination of microbial inoculants with the different doses of urea and superphosphate in a complete randomized block design (CRBD). Three different doses of urea and superphosphate were tested, i.e., recommended dose, 75% of the recommended dose and 125% of the recommended dose, independently and in combination with three microbial groups viz. Glomus mosseae (AMF), Bacillus subtilis (PSB) and Nitrifying microorganisms (Nitrosomonas + Nitrobacter, NN). Overall, there were 16 treatment combinations used, and studied the number of tubers per plant, the weight of tubers, moisture content, and the number of nodes per tubers which were best in treatment comprising of AMF + PSB + NN + 75% of urea + superphosphate. From our results, it is suggested for the growers to use a lesser quantity of fertilizers from the recommended dose along with some bioinoculants to maintain the soil fertility and also to achieve the yield targets by decreasing the cost of chemical fertilizers.     

土壤中微生物植酸酶的活性及其提高方法与应用

磷是有限不可再生资源,土壤缺磷是植物生长和农作物生产的主要限制因子之一。无机磷肥施入土壤后,极易被土壤固相吸附或与金属阳离子形成难溶性络合物或转化为有机磷,导致其生物可利用性降低。土壤磷主要以有机磷形式存在,占比20%-80%。有机磷又以植酸(盐)为主要成分,占比约50%。植酸不可被植物直接吸收利用,需在专一性酶植酸酶作用下经脱磷酸化水解释放磷供植物吸收。土壤植酸酶主要来源于微生物,易受温度、pH、土壤吸附、钙含量及钙磷比、底物含量和有效性等影响,导致酶活降低甚至失活。如何保持或提高土壤中植酸酶活性,进而提高土壤内源植酸磷的利用率,对降低外源磷肥施加和保障农业生产具有重要意义。本文综述微生物植酸酶的来源、分类与作用机制及土壤中植酸酶活性的影响因素,重点阐述保持或提高其活性的方法及实际应用效率。针对土壤植酸酶活性低和稳定性差的问题,对通过调控最适pH范围、提高热稳定性、将植酸酶负载于纳米材料和基因工程改造等改善植酸酶性质的方法进行展望。综述内容可为理解土壤中植酸酶活性的影响因素,进而提高土壤内源植酸磷的利用效率提供理论依据和技术参考,对减少外源磷肥施用、降低磷流失和土壤面源/水体污染风险及保障农业可持续发展具有一定的现实意义。     

Thirty-seven years of soil nitrogen and phosphorus fertility management shapes the structure and function of the soil microbial community in a Brown Chernozem

We tested whether levels of soil available nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) control the composition and function of the soil microbial community in a Brown Chernozemic soil on the Canadian Prairie. Soil dissolved organic carbon, N and P, and microbial communities structure (phospholipid fatty acid profile) and function (enzyme activity) were evaluated in the fallow and first wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. AC Eatonia) phases of fallow-wheat-wheat rotations where the wheat received soil test recommended rates of mineral N and P fertilizers (+N+P), or where N (?N+P) or P (+N?P) fertilizer use was withheld for 37 years. Differential fertilization modified soil N and P availability, and microbial community structure. Low N level was a major constraint when a rapidly growing wheat crop (heading stage) was drawing on the resource, reducing both plant N uptake and soil microbial biomass-C in ?N+P soils. Available P level in +N?P soils was about half that measured in P-fertilized soils, but P did not limit plant productivity or microbial development at that time. Changes in the microbial community structure seemingly buffered the impact of lower P availability in +N?P soils. Phosphatase activity was not involved, but increased abundance of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi might be associated with this effect. Low soil N availability explained lower specific denitrification and higher specific nitrogenase activities in ?N+P soil growing wheat. Higher denitrification activity in +N+P soil could be attributed to higher soil C level and fertilization-induced shifts observed in the structure of the soil microbial community. Irrespective of the fertility level of the soil, all microbial communities grew at the relative growth rate of 17% day^?1 in a nutrient limitation assay that revealed no C, N or P limitation in these communities. We conclude that mineral fertilization, which modifies soil available N and P fertility, can be a selective force causing structural and functional shifts in the soil microbial community with a resulting impact on soil quality and nutrient fluxes.     

Potentials of termite mound soil bacteria in ecosystem engineering for sustainable agriculture

The environmental deteriorating effects arising from the misuse of pesticides and chemical fertilizers in agriculture has resulted in the pursuit of eco-friendly means of producing agricultural produce without compromising the safety of the environment. Thus, the purpose of this review is to assess the potential of bacteria in termite mound soil to serve as biofertilizer and biocontrol as a promising tool for sustainable agriculture. This review has been divided into four main sections: termite and termite mound soils, bacterial composition in termite mound soil, the role of bacteria in termite mound soil as biofertilizers, and the role of bacteria in termite mound soil as biocontrol. Some bacteria in termite mound soils have been isolated and characterized by various means, and these bacteria could improve the fertility of the soil and suppress soil borne plant pathogens through the production of antibiotics, nutrient fixation, and other means. These bacteria in termite mound soils could serve as a remarkable means of reducing the reliance on the usage of chemical fertilizers and pesticides in farming, thereby increasing crop yield.     

Association of plant development to organic matter and fungal presence in soils of horticultural crops

Soil microbial communities are a crucial link between soil nutrient availability and plant productivity. They particularly depend on soil organic matter (SOM) content, which is considered one of the main components of soil fertility. But agricultural intensification and the increase in the use of fertilisers of mineral origin in recent decades (to the detriment of the incorporation of organic materials in agricultural soils) have resulted in a continuous loss of agricultural soil quality and fertility, which is considered one of the greatest challenges to addressing global food security. Therefore, a better understanding of the mechanisms driving soil improvement via soil microbiota could result in a sustainable improvement in crop yields. Soils were sampled in 40 intensively managed greenhouses in southeast Spain to understand how SOM influences soil fungal community and how both these factors influence plant development. The values of three out of four growth‐related variables (plant height, aerial dry weight and leaf area, but not root dry weight) in both tomato and cucumber plants showed a positive relation with SOM content and soil fungal diversity. This study concludes that SOM is key for the maintenance of soil fertility in intensive horticulture and that it is linked to the composition and diversity of soil fungal community. Both SOM and soil fungal communities should be considered as essential factors in achieving high soil fertility, and ultimately, to ensure an optimum crop development.     

Phosphorus and phosphate solubilizing bacteria: Keys for sustainable agriculture

Abstract

Phosphorus (P) is one of the most important minerals required for plant growth occupying a strong position among soil macro nutrients. Soil P deficiency is often fulfilled by phosphate fertilizers. P deficiency in soils is due to less total P contents in the soil and fixation of added P from chemical fertilizers as well as other organic sources like manures. The response of plant under P stress or even when it is present in adequate amount is very mild. The basic constraint in the availability of P is its solubilization as it gets fixed both in acidic and alkaline soil. Soil fixed P can only be solubilized by phosphate solubilizing microorganisms (PSMs).These bacteria released different types of organic acids in the soil which make P soluble and available to plants. The potential of these PSMs to solubilize P varies and mainly depends upon mechanism adopted for solubilization, their molecular genetics as well as their ability to release P in soil. The PSMs, having all the characteristics of phytohormone production, nitrogen fixation, as well as, heavy metal decontamination and creating salt stress tolerance in plants, are quite rare for sustainable agriculture. Application of this environment friendly approach for increasing crop productivity as well as its impact on soil and plant health is discussed in this review which will not only open new avenues of research but also provide fruitful information about phosphate solubilizing microbes for sustainable agriculture development.     

丛枝菌根真菌参与下植物-土壤系统的养分交流及调控

近几年随着有机农业的发展,丛枝菌根的作用受到特别关注。丛枝菌根是由植物根系与丛枝菌根真菌(AMF)形成的一种共生体。在植物-AMF-土壤系统中,AMF为植物提供N、P等营养的同时从根系得到所需的C。概述了植物-AMF-土壤系统中C、N、P等营养物质的交流以及AMF与土壤微生物的互作关系。丛枝菌根的形成可显著提高植物对P的吸收,且在高P条件下多余的P可储存于AMF中。AMF对土壤N循环的影响相当复杂,可能参与调控N循环的多个过程,如硝化作用、反硝化作用和氨氧化作用等。在有机质丰富的土壤中AMF菌丝可快速扩增并吸收其中的N,主要供菌丝自身所需,只有一小部分传递给植物。AMF对土壤C库的影响尚存争议,可能存在时间尺度的差异。短期内可活化土壤C,而在长期尺度上可能有利于土壤C的储存。AMF能够通过改变土壤微生物群落结构而影响植物-土壤体系的物质交流。AMF与解磷菌、根瘤菌和放线菌的协同增效作用可促进土壤有机质的降解或增强其固氮能力;AMF对氨氧化菌的抑制作用可降低氨的氧化减少N2O的释放。AMF与外生共生真菌EMF共存时,表现出协同增效作用,但EMF的优先定殖会限制AMF的侵染。AMF不同类群之间则主要表现为竞争和拮抗关系。AMF与土壤微生物之间的互作关系受土壤无机环境的影响,在养分亏缺条件下微生物之间往往表现为竞争关系。因植物、AMF与土壤微生物之间存在复杂的互作关系,为此AMF并不总是表现出其对植物营养的促进作用。目前关于AMF的作用机理仍以假说为主,需要进一步的实验验证。在植物-AMF-土壤系统中N与C的交流和P与C的交流并未表现出一致性,对N、P循环相互关系的进一步探讨有助于深入理解植物-土壤体系中的养分循环。植物、AMF和土壤微生物的养分来源及其对养分的相对需求强度和吸收效率尚未可知,因此无法深入理解AMF在植物-土壤体系中养分交流和转化的作用。在方法上,传统的土壤学方法在养分动态研究中存在局限性,现代分子生物学手段和化学计量学的结合值得尝试。     

Long-Term Effects of Irrigation with Waste Water on Soil AM Fungi Diversity and Microbial Activities: The Implications for Agro-Ecosystem Resilience

The effects of irrigation with treated urban wastewater (WW) on the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) diversity and soil microbial activities were assayed on a long-term basis in a semiarid orange-tree orchard. After 43 years, the soil irrigated with fresh water (FW) had higher AMF diversity than soils irrigated with WW. Microbial activities were significantly higher in the soils irrigated with WW than in those irrigated with FW. Therefore, as no negative effects were observed on crop vitality and productivity, it seems that the ecosystem resilience gave rise to the selection of AMF species better able to thrive in soils with higher microbial activity and, thus, to higher soil fertility.     

土壤微生物在植物获得养分中的作用

大量施用化肥是当今农业的一个重要特征。化肥为粮食增产做出了巨大贡献,同时也带来一系列问题,如土壤酸化、水体富营养化、温室气体排放、资源耗竭等,直接威胁着农业可持续发展。土壤微生物是陆地生态系统植物多样性和生产力的重要驱动者,直接参与了植物获得养分和土壤养分循环两个过程。因此,通过调控土壤微生物的功能,有望降低农业对化肥的过分依赖。介绍了共生固氮菌、菌根真菌和根际促生菌对植物获得养分能力的影响及其机制,分析了土壤微生物对土壤氮、磷循环的影响及其与土壤养分生物有效性、养分损失的关系。依据这些知识,提出了改善植物营养、降低化肥施用的土壤微生物途径。虽然大量试验已证明了土壤微生物在改善植物营养中的重要作用,但是大面积应用土壤微生物技术来改善植物营养还存在不少问题。随着以后对这方面研究的加强以及上述问题的不断解决,土壤微生物有望在降低化肥施用量和维持农业可持续发展中做出重要贡献。     

农用化学品污染及预防建议

农用化学品是农业生产的重要组成部分,其安全问题也成为人们关注的焦点。农用化学品可分为化肥、农药、农膜3类。化肥主要用于提高土壤肥力,增加农作物产量,不合理使用则会改变土壤性质,降低土壤肥力,并且对生态环境以及人类健康造成不可忽视的危害。农药主要用于杀菌、杀虫、除草等,在促进和保障农作物健康生长中发挥重要作用,但农药的滥用造成农药事故频发,农药的毒性富集作用以及残留问题越发引起人们的关注。农膜主要用于农膜覆盖栽培技术,农膜的原料主要是聚乙烯树脂等高分子化学物质,在土壤中很难降解,造成的环境污染问题日益突出。各种农用化学品的不合理使用,可降低农产品的质量,使其在出口贸易中受到极大限制,造成巨大的经济损失。本文在肯定农用化学品在现代化农业生产中的巨大贡献的同时,深入分析了其污染状况及危害,总结了当前国际上对于化肥、农药、农膜的研究进展以及所取得的成果,最后提出了科学使用农用化学品的建议。     

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal diversity in phosphorus-deficient Alfisols of a dry North-western agro-ecosystem of Tamil Nadu,India

Semi-arid tropical soils, characterized by low soil organic carbon (SOC) with limited available macronutrients and micronutrients for crop plants, are predicated to have a yield sustainability problem in the future due to intensive cropping and limited nutrient management adoptions. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), the functional link between plant and soil, play a pivotal role in nutrient cycling, organic matter stabilization and soil structure and fertility improvement. Hence, so far unexplored or underutilized, native AMF could be a potential resource for fertility management of these semi-arid tropical soils. Hence, in the present investigation, we assessed the abundance and diversity of AMF in phosphorus-deficient agricultural soils of semi-arid tropics of southern India. Our results show that the spore density and infective propagules of AMF were relatively low in these soils. The morpho-typing of extracted AMF spores revealed that these soils were dominated by glomeraceae (six species of Glomus) while species of Gigaspora, Scutellospora and Acaulospora were found in low abundance. The diversity indices assessed for the AMF species were also globally low. The non-metric multi-dimensional scaling and hierarchical cluster analysis of species richness showed variation in the community composition of AMF in the soils. The principal component analysis of the assessed soil variables suggest that the available phosphorus (P), SOC and dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphatase activities had negative impact on spore density and infective propagules of AMF with no effect on species diversity. The regression analyses reveal that the available P is the significant soil variable that drives the AMF abundance and infectivity. This study opens the possibilities of effective utilization of native mycorrhizae for agriculture in semi-arid tropical soils.     

Establishment and effectiveness of inoculated arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in agricultural soils

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are promoted as biofertilizers for sustainable agriculture. So far, most researchers have investigated the effects of AMF on plant growth under highly controlled conditions with sterilized soil, soil substrates or soils with low available P or low inoculum potential. However, it is still poorly documented whether inoculated AMF can successfully establish in field soils with native AMF communities and enhance plant growth. We inoculated grassland microcosms planted with a grass–clover mixture (Lolium multiflorum and Trifolium pratense) with the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Rhizoglomus irregulare. The microcosms were filled with eight different unsterilized field soils that varied greatly in soil type and chemical characteristics and indigenous AMF communities. We tested whether inoculation with AMF enhanced plant biomass and R. irregulare abundance using a species specific qPCR. Inoculation increased the abundance of R. irregulare in all soils, irrespective of soil P availability, the initial abundance of R. irregulare or the abundance of native AM fungal communities. AMF inoculation had no effect on the grass but significantly enhanced clover yield in five out of eight field soils. The results demonstrate that AMF inoculation can be successful, even when soil P availability is high and native AMF communities are abundant.     

陆地农业生态系统丛枝菌根真菌物种多样性研究进展

丛枝菌根真菌(AMF)是一种古老的、在自然界中普遍存在的土壤微生物,能与大部分陆生植物形成互惠互利的菌根共生体.在这种共生关系中,AMF从植物获取自身生长所需碳源的同时,帮助宿主吸收氮、磷等营养物质.AMF在农业生态系统中具有重要作用,能够促进植物生长、改善作物品质、提高植物抗逆性、稳定土壤结构、维护生态平衡和维持农业可持续发展.本文总结了近几年来陆地农业生态系统AMF的研究进展,着重从我国陆地农业生态系统AMF物种多样性、AMF生物多样性时空分布特征及影响AMF多样性的因素等几个方面,综述了陆地农业生态系统AMF的物种多样性,并对以后的研究进行了展望.     

Minerals solubilizing and mobilizing microbiomes: A sustainable approach for managing minerals’ deficiency in agricultural soil

Agriculture faces challenges to fulfil the rising food demand due to shortage of arable land and various environmental stressors. Traditional farming technologies help in fulfilling food demand but they are harmful to humans and environmental sustainability. The food production along with agro-environmental sustainability could be achieved by encouraging farmers to use agro-environmental sustainable products such as biofertilizers and biopesticides consisting of live microbes or plant extract instead of chemical-based inputs. The eco-friendly formulations play a significant role in plant growth promotion, crop yield and repairing degraded soil texture and fertility sustainably. Mineral solubilizing microbes that provide vital nutrients like phosphorus, potassium, zinc and selenium are essential for plant growth and development and could be developed as biofertilizers. These microbes could be plant associated (rhizospheric, endophytic and phyllospheric) or inhabit the bulk soil and diverse extreme habitats. Mineral solubilizing microbes from soil, extreme environments, surface and internal parts of the plant belong to diverse phyla such as Ascomycota, Actinobacteria, Basidiomycota, Bacteroidetes, Chlorobi, Cyanobacteria, Chlorophyta, Euryarchaeota, Firmicutes, Gemmatimonadetes, Mucoromycota, Proteobacteria and Tenericutes. Mineral solubilizing microbes (MSMs) directly or indirectly stimulate plant growth and development either by releasing plant growth regulators; solubilizing phosphorus, potassium, zinc, selenium and silicon; biological nitrogen fixation and production of siderophores, ammonia, hydrogen cyanide, hydrolytic enzymes and bioactive compound/secondary metabolites. Biofertilizer developed using mineral solubilizing microbes is an eco-friendly solution to the sustainable food production system in many countries worldwide. The present review deals with the biodiversity of mineral solubilizing microbes, and potential roles in crop improvement and soil well-being for agricultural sustainability.     

Comparative phosphate solubilizing efficiency of psychrotolerant <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudomonas jesenii</Emphasis> MP1 and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acinetobacter</Emphasis> sp. ST02 against chickpea for sustainable hill agriculture

Phosphorus (P) is an important plant nutrient for agricultural production. Adding phosphorus fertilizer to the soil not only increases the cost but also create environmental destruction. Therefore, the use of phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) could be an eco-friendly approach for sustainable agricultural development. Large scale field trial study was conducted to explore inherent phosphate solubilizing potential of Himalayan psychrotrophic bacterial strains Pseudomonas jesenii MP1 and Acinetobacter sp. ST02 against native chickpea to achieve agricultural sustainability in traditional mountain agro-ecosystems. Both the strainsMP1 and STO2 were able to solubilise a maximum of 398.14 μg mL^?1 and 329.9 μg mL^?1 of P, respectively. Besides enhancing Chickpea seed germination of 92% (MP1) and 85% (STO2); both have shown a significant increment in plant agronomical as well as biochemical parameters with respect to their respective controls. The maximum grain yield of 26.23 kg and harvesting index 55.69 was observed for MP1 along with 40 Kg P2O5 ha^?1 thereby, indicating the use of bio-inoculants with recommended dose of phosphate fertilizers to promote crop production. Further, contrary to chemical phosphatic fertilizers, they need to apply only once in the field and persist till the end of crop maturity. In the present scenario, they can be explored as natural “P” resource for high altitude agriculture; therefore, additional impetus in their bio-formulation will be a step forward towards sustainable hill agriculture systems and holistic growth.     

Distinct soil microbial diversity under long-term organic and conventional farming

Low-input agricultural systems aim at reducing the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides in order to improve sustainable production and ecosystem health. Despite the integral role of the soil microbiome in agricultural production, we still have a limited understanding of the complex response of microbial diversity to organic and conventional farming. Here we report on the structural response of the soil microbiome to more than two decades of different agricultural management in a long-term field experiment using a high-throughput pyrosequencing approach of bacterial and fungal ribosomal markers. Organic farming increased richness, decreased evenness, reduced dispersion and shifted the structure of the soil microbiota when compared with conventionally managed soils under exclusively mineral fertilization. This effect was largely attributed to the use and quality of organic fertilizers, as differences became smaller when conventionally managed soils under an integrated fertilization scheme were examined. The impact of the plant protection regime, characterized by moderate and targeted application of pesticides, was of subordinate importance. Systems not receiving manure harboured a dispersed and functionally versatile community characterized by presumably oligotrophic organisms adapted to nutrient-limited environments. Systems receiving organic fertilizer were characterized by specific microbial guilds known to be involved in degradation of complex organic compounds such as manure and compost. The throughput and resolution of the sequencing approach permitted to detect specific structural shifts at the level of individual microbial taxa that harbours a novel potential for managing the soil environment by means of promoting beneficial and suppressing detrimental organisms.