Abstract
Ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) catalyze a rate-limiting step in nitrification - ammonia (NH3) oxidation. There are more AOA than ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) in many soil systems, including cropland, and AOA dominate in unfavorable environmental conditions, such as soils with low NH4-N. The ecological role of the ubiquitously distributed AOA is unclear, as are the factors regulating AOA community dynamics. This study investigated how long-term N fertilization and tillage management influenced the AOA community in cropland. The study site was a long-term (>40 years) field experiment with either no-tillage (NT) or plow tillage (PT) at three N fertilizer rates (0, 168, and 336 kg ha−1) and continuous maize (Zea mays L.). We used PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) to assess the archaeal amoA gene as a measure of the changing AOA community. Tillage rather than N fertilizer played the dominant role affecting the AOA community. Fertilizer rate did not significantly influence AOA diversity, but sample season and N fertilization had selection function on AOA composition. In winter, AOA were more diverse in NT than PT. Unique groups were discovered in different treatments, demonstrating selection by tillage, fertilization, season, and/or their interactions. The significant tillage regulation of AOA provides new clues to investigate which environmental factors influence the AOA community and to explore its ecological significance in agricultural land.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Article number | 103384 |
Journal | Applied Soil Ecology |
Volume | 147 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Mar 2020 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:The investigation reported in this paper (16-06-056) is in connection with a project of the Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station and is published with the approval of the Director. Mention of trade names is for information only and does not imply endorsement by the Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station. S. Liu was assisted by research and fellowship support from the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences and a College of Agriculture, Food, and Environment Research Activities Award (University of Kentucky). The technical supports of Ann Freytag and Gloria Gellin are greatly appreciated. This work was supported by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture , Hatch project 1005478 . Appendix A
Funding Information:
The investigation reported in this paper (16-06-056) is in connection with a project of the Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station and is published with the approval of the Director. Mention of trade names is for information only and does not imply endorsement by the Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station. S. Liu was assisted by research and fellowship support from the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences and a College of Agriculture, Food, and Environment Research Activities Award (University of Kentucky). The technical supports of Ann Freytag and Gloria Gellin are greatly appreciated. This work was supported by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Hatch project 1005478.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2019 Elsevier B.V.
Keywords
- Ammonia oxidizing archaea
- Autotrophic nitrification
- Community structure
- PCR-DGGE
- Soil management
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Ecology
- Agricultural and Biological Sciences (miscellaneous)
- Soil Science