Impact of pesticide-fertilizer combinations on the rhizosphere
microbiome of field-grown sugarcane
Abstract
The complex and enormous diversity of microbiome associated with plant
roots is important for plant health and is shaped by numerous factors.
This study aimed to unravel the effects of a pesticide-fertilizer
combination on the rhizosphere microbiome of field-grown sugarcane. A
field trial on sugarcane was conducted in Zhanjian city, Guangdong
Province of China, and bulk soil and rhizosphere samples were collected
3 weeks after planting. We examined the effects of clothianidin and/or
organic fertilizer treatments on the composition, diversity, and
function of rhizosphere microbial communities using 16S rRNA gene and
ITS1 gene amplicon sequencing. Compared with the controls (no pesticide
or fertilizer used), the microbial community that resulted from treating
with the pesticide-fertilizer (SPF) had a higher relative bacterial
diversity and abundance, as well as contributing more comprehensive
functions to sugarcane. The bacterial and fungal compositions at
different taxonomic levels affected by clothianidin in the SPF and SP
(with pesticide addition) were different from the effects experienced in
the other treatments. With organic fertilizers added to SPF, the
abundance of soil beneficial bacteria Bacillus, Paenibacillus, and
Brevibacillus were highly improved, as well as the microbial function.
It indicated that the SPF treatment could counteract the effects caused
by mixing with clothianidin when compared to the SP treatment with only
pesticide addition. Moreover, four bacterial genera including Dyella,
Sphingomonas, Catenulispora, Mucilaginibacter, and Tumebacillus were
significantly increased in the SPF and SP groups, which was reported to
degrade clothianidin and could improve the soil health. The findings of
the study provide insights into the interaction between the rhizosphere
soil microbiome and a pesticide-fertilizer integration that may help
improve application for pesticide-fertilizer in sugarcane fields.