Changes of the Microbial Community in Corn Soil Due to the Synergism Zeolite-Mineral Fertilizers

Abstract

Microbial communities in agricultural ecosystems are characterized by a strong dynamic and radical change due to technological inputs applied. Corn is cultivated on large areas with high requirements for nutrients and an increased potential for activation of specific microbial groups. The aim of this study was to assess the unilateral and synergic effect of zeolite and mineral fertilizers on the development and transformation of microbial functional groups in the rhizosphere of corn. Physiological profile assessment of microbial communities has been carried out on the basis of substrate induced respiration, monitored over a period of 6 hours of incubation. The amount of CO2 registered in Microresp plates represents the activity of functional groups in decomposition of each type of substrate applied. Characteristic groups of microorganisms in maize rhizosphere are capable of decomposing acids: citric, L-malic, oxalic and α-Ketoglutaric. These substrates indicate the presence of high concentrations of organic matter in soil and the existence of a biological crust on the surface (citric acid), respectively the existence of powerful processes for the decomposition of organic material by actinomycetes (α-Ketoglutaric acid). The highest microbial activities were observed in groups of bacteria involved in processes of plant growth promotion and microbial groups with an important role in the processes of denitrification (oxalic acid). For the application of urea a triple value of activity of this type of microflora is observed. Functional groups codominant in soils cultivated with corn are specialized in efficient degradation of organic matter and biological crust, zeolite providing the complex substrate necessary for the development of these microorganisms.

Keywords

• microbial communities, fertilizer, zeolite, corn