A Comparison of Rice Root Microbial Dynamics in Organic and Conventional Paddy Fields

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Agronomy
• Plant Science

Background:

• Plant root microbiome assembly is dynamic and crucial for plant development.
• Understanding rice root microbiome dynamics across its life cycle is essential for sustainable agriculture.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize bacterial and fungal community dynamics in rice root endosphere and soil.
• To compare these dynamics between organic and conventional paddy fields.
• To explore correlations between microbial communities, soil properties, and rice physiology.

Main Methods:

• Amplicon sequencing of fungal Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) and bacterial 16S rRNA genes.
• Analysis of microbial diversity and composition in root endosphere and soil.
• Redundancy analysis and correlation analysis with soil properties and leaf mineral nutrients.

Main Results:

• Agricultural practices and rice developmental stages significantly influenced root microbial diversity and composition.
• Organic fields showed greater temporal microbiome variability, with specific bacteria accumulating at different growth stages.
• Ammonium nitrogen, iron, and soil organic matter were key drivers of microbial composition.
• Nutrient mobility influenced correlations between root biomarkers and leaf mineral nutrients, differing between farming practices.

Conclusions:

• Rice root microbiome assembly is significantly shaped by agricultural management and plant development.
• Soil properties and nutrient availability are critical factors influencing root microbial communities.
• Findings suggest strategies for optimizing microbiome management to enhance rice productivity and sustainability.