A comparative study on the impact of fiveDesmodiumspecies on soil microbiome reveals enrichment of selected bacterial and fungal taxa

• DOI: 10.1101/2023.02.07.527423
• Publication Date: 2023-02-09T16:55:23Z
• Authors: Aneth Bella David; Kilaza Samson Mwa...; Charles Midega; Francis Magingo; Beatrix W. Alsanius; Laurie E. Drinkwater; Teun Dekker; Sylvester Lyantagaye
• Keywords: Desmodium; Diversity index

Abstract Introduction Several Desmodium spp. are used as intercrops in push-pull pest management systems to repel insect herbivores. In addition, suppresses the parasitic weed Striga , and diversifies soil microbiome with negative impacts on fungi. We investigated impact of a 2-year cropping five species populations. Methodology Total DNA was obtained from root zone samples collected two-years-old common garden experiment replicated plots at international centre for physiology ecology (ICIPE), Mbita, Kenya. Subsequently, 16S ITS sequencing were performed data analysed by using QIIME2 Calypso. Results Our findings show significant differences composition abundance specific microbial taxa among bulk soil, stronger shift observed fungal community profiles than bacteria. There was, however, no difference overall diversity, richness evenness communities soil. Similarly, beta diversity analysis did not reveal association variation plots. Discussion conclusion This is first study compare whole microbiomes different species. Whereas long-term clearly shifts communities, populations studied However, there divergence individual reflected their increased spp., pointing towards potential ecosystem services. These indicate that due thus potentially provision associated services require longer cultivation periods solidify. Future studies should focus techniques monitor real-time changes such RNA-seq ascertain live dead microbes, infer ecological