The stage of soil development modulates rhizosphere effect along a High Arctic desert chronosequence.

ABSTRACT: In mature soils, plant species and soil type determine the selection of root microbiota. Which of these two factors drives rhizosphere selection in barren substrates of developing desert soils has, however, not yet been established. Chronosequences of glacier forelands provide ideal natural environments to identify primary rhizosphere selection factors along the changing edaphic conditions of a developing soil. Here, we analyze changes in bacterial diversity in bulk soils and rhizospheres of a pioneer plant across a High Arctic glacier chronosequence. We show that the developmental stage of soil strongly modulates rhizosphere community assembly, even though plant-induced selection buffers the effect of changing edaphic factors. Bulk and rhizosphere soils host distinct bacterial communities

SUBMITTER: Mapelli F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5931989 | biostudies-literature | 2018 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature