Influence of Farmyard Manure Application on Potential Zinc Solubilizing Microbial Species Abundance in a Ferralsol of Western Kenya
Loading...
Date
2023-11
Authors
Bolo, Peter
Mucheru-Muna, Monicah Wanjiku
Mwirichia, Romano Kachiuru
Kinyua, Michael
Ayaga, George
Kihara, Job
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
MDPI
Abstract
Zinc is an important nutrient for plant growth and development. Its availability is influenced by zinc solubilizing microbes (ZSMs). The effects of commonly promoted agronomic practices
on the abundance of ZSMs are so far not well understood. In this study, conducted in 2019, we
assessed the effects of farmyard manure (FYM) application, either sole or in combination with residue
and/or inorganic fertilizer inputs, on ZSM community structure using 11 treatments in a long-term
(17 years) integrated soil fertility management experiment located in Western Kenya. Bacterial and
fungal community composition were evaluated by amplicon sequencing on an Illumina MiSeq platform. The results showed that putative ZSMs (i.e., the ZSMs generally considered to possess the
zinc solubilizing capabilities) were clustered in two major clades based on either the application or
no application of FYM. Sole application of FYM significantly (p < 0.05) increased the abundance of
several ZSMs under a maize–Tephrosia rotation. In addition, systems with the combined application
of FYM with other inputs generally showed significantly increasing trends for some ZSMs under
a maize–Tephrosia rotation. Moreover, the combined application of FYM and P rather than only
P significantly increased the abundance of some ZSMs under maize monocropping systems. Furthermore, as well as affecting ZSM abundance, soil chemical variables involving soil organic carbon
(SOC), total N and Olsen P significantly increased with FYM application. This study indicated that
management practices such as the application of FYM that increase SOC, and other soil chemical
parameters, also/concomitantly increase ZSM abundance. These results imply enhanced capacities
for microbial-linked zinc availability with FYM application.
Description
Article
Keywords
farmyard manure, zinc solubilizing microbes, microbial diversity, abundance, soil DNA sequencing, agricultural inputs, long-term agronomic management
Citation
Bolo, P., Mucheru-Muna, M. W., Mwirichia, R. K., Kinyua, M., Ayaga, G., & Kihara, J. (2023). Influence of Farmyard Manure Application on Potential Zinc Solubilizing Microbial Species Abundance in a Ferralsol of Western Kenya. Agriculture, 13(12), 2217.