Carrot genotypes differentially alter soil bacterial communities and decomposition of plant residue in soil

PurposeFarmers need alternative approaches to manage nitrogen (N) that meet crop needs while reducing loss to the environment. Identifying crop genotypes that promote decomposition of organic materials and understanding the potential mechanisms responsible could help address this challenge. Consequently, we aimed to 1) determine whether carrot genotypes differ in their potential to facilitate organic matter decomposition in soil, and 2) identify bacterial taxa that are stimulated by carrot roots, and thus could play a role in these processes.MethodsWe grew five genotypes expected to differ in N use efficiency in a nutrient-poor soil amended with (15) N-enriched corn residue, tracked changes in carbon (C) and N pools, quantified microbial activity and bacterial community composition, and predicted the potential expression of microbial genes involved in soil C and N cycles.ResultsExperimental genotype 8503 had the greatest capacity to promote decomposition of corn residues. This genotype had the highest % of N from the corn residue in its taproots and on average, promoted higher b-glucosidase activity in soils. Distinct bacterial communities from the families Micromonosporaceae, Chromatiaceae, and Rhodospirillaceae were also enriched in the soils of genotypes like 8503 that were most effective in obtaining N from the corn residue, and this was correlated with greater potential expression of genes responsible for beta-glucosidase and nitrification activity.ConclusionsCarrot genotypes do differ in their potential to alter soil bacterial communities and stimulate microbially-mediated decomposition of organic materials indicating that it may be possible to begin selecting for this important trait.