Hidden miners – the roles of cover crops and soil microorganisms in phosphorus cycling through agroecosystems

• DOI: 10.1007/s11104-018-3810-7
• Publication Date: 2018-10-27T04:31:54Z
• Authors: Moritz Hallama; Carola Pekrun; Hans Lambers; Ellen Kandeler
• Keywords: Agroecosystem; Nutrient cycle; Cycling; Nutrient Management; Crop Rotation

Phosphorus (P) is a limiting nutrient in many agroecosystems and costly fertilizer inputs can cause negative environmental impacts. Cover crops constitute promising management option for sustainable intensification of agriculture. However, their interactions with the soil microbial community, which key driver P cycling, effects on following crop, have not yet been systematically assessed. We conducted meta-analysis published field studies cover focusing plant-microbe interactions. describe several distinct, simultaneous mechanisms benefits main crop. Decomposition dynamics, governed by concentration, are critical transfer from crop residues to may enhance community providing legacy increased mycorrhizal abundance, biomass P, phosphatase activity. generally most effective systems low available access 'unavailable' pools. availability difficult detect standard tests, except increases after use Lupinus sp. Agricultural (i.e. species selection, tillage, fertilization) improve effects. In summary, cropping has potential tighten cycling agricultural under different conditions, increasing nutrition yield.