Responses of native legume desert trees used for reforestation in the Sonoran Desert to plant growth-promoting microorganisms in screen house

Three slow-growing legume trees used for desert reforestation and urban gardening in the Sonoran Desert of Northwestern Mexico and the Southwestern USA were evaluated whether their growth can be promoted by inoculation with plant growth-promoting bacteria (Azospirillum brasilense and Bacillus pumilus), unidentified arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi (mainly Glomus sp.), and supplementation with common compost under regular screenhouse cultivation common to these trees in nurseries. Mesquite amargo (Prosopis articulata) and yellow palo verde (Parkinsonia microphylla) had different positive responses to several of the parameters tested while blue palo verde (Parkinsonia florida) did not respond. Survival of all tree species was over 80% and survival of mesquite was almost 100% after 10 months of cultivation. Inoculation with growth-promoting microorganisms induced significant effects on the leaf gas exchange of these trees, measured as transpiration and diffusive resistance, when these trees were cultivated without water restrictions.     

Restoration of giant cardon cacti in barren desert soil amended with common compost and inoculated with Azospirillum brasilense

Barren desert soil that otherwise could not support perennial plant growth was amended with six levels of common agricultural compost. Seedlings of the giant cardon cactus, one of the primary plant species responsible for soil stabilization in the southern Sonoran Desert, were inoculated with the plant-growth-promoting bacterium Azospirillum brasilense Cd, planted, and grown for 18 months under nursery conditions typical for slow-growth cacti. Control plants were grown without compost amendment, without inoculation (negative control), or in fertile, rare “resource island” soil preferred by cardon seedlings (positive control). During the prolonged growth period, the decisive factor in seedling growth in barren soil was the addition of small amounts of common compost; 6 to 25% of the growth substrate volume gave the best growth response and, to a lesser extent, so did inoculation with A. brasilense Cd. Although the bacteria significantly affects plant growth when amended with “resource island” soil and added to barren soil, its effect on plant growth was far smaller than when compost alone was added. Compost added to barren soil significantly increased the dry weight parameters of the plant to almost similar levels obtained by the “resource island” soil; however, the compost amendment supports a more voluminous and greener plant with elevated pigment levels. This study shows that barren soil supplemented with compost can replace the rare “resource island” soil for cardon nurseries destined to abate soil erosion in the desert.     

Assessment of VA mycorrhizal inoculum potential in relation to the establishment of cactus seedlings under mesquite nurse-trees in the Sonoran Desert

A commonly observed preferential association was quantified between mature native mesquite (Prosopis articulata) trees and the seedlings of six cactus species (Pachycereus pringlei, Opuntia cholla, Lophocereus schottii, Machaerocereus gummosus, Lemaireocereus thurberi, Mammilaria sp.) in a previously-disturbed area of the Sonoran Desert of Baja California, Mexico. We hypothesized that, in addition to more favorable edaphic factors, the inoculum potential of beneficial vesicular–arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungi was higher, and therefore, more favorable for cactus seedling establishment under the mesquite tree canopy (UC) compared to adjacent barren areas (BAs) away from the trees. In the greenhouse inoculum potential assays, VAM fungi were detected in onion (Allium cepa) trap plants from all soil samples regardless of collection site, but cardon cactus (P. pringlei) trap seedlings formed no VAM even after 6.5 months. Test soils were further used to preinoculate new onion seedlings transplanted into pots, to serve as nurse plants to inoculate adjacent cardon seedlings by vegetative transfer. After 15 months, cardon seedlings did develop slight VAM colonization, confined exclusively to the outermost cortical layers. Examination of test soils for spores or root fragments revealed very few to none, and spore production on onion trap plant roots was also sparse even though colonization was high. Analysis of UC and BA soils revealed that the water holding capacity, nutrient content, cation exchange capacity, total carbon, and total nitrogen contents of the UC soils were all higher than those of the BA soils. Since the VAM inoculum density in this study was not different between sites under and away from the mesquite tree canopy, we concluded that VAM inoculum density is not the primary factor for the establishment of cactus seedlings and that edaphic factors probably play a more important role. Our results suggest, however, that VAM inoculum potential in these hot desert soils, although relatively low, is probably maintained in the upper layers by means of hyphal fragments rather than spores.     

Depth of root symbiont occurrence in soil

Summary The woody legume Prosopis glandulosa (mesquite) growing in the California Sonoran Desert develops functional root symbiotic associations (N₂-fixing nodules, vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi) at depths greater than 4 m in moist soil above a seasonally stable water table. Population densities of symbiotic microorganisms are substantially greater at depth than near the surface. Inferences of plant symbiotic dependence based upon examination of surface roots and soil may be incorrect since deep roots can support the symbioses which are critical for plants utilizing deep water.     

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi-mediated nitrogen transfer from vineyard cover crops to grapevines

Cover crops are often planted in between vineyard rows to reduce soil erosion, increase soil fertility, and improve soil structure. Roots of both grapevines and cover crops form mutualistic symbioses with arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, and may be interconnected by AM hyphae. To study nutrient transfer from cover crops to grapevines through AM fungal links, we grew grapevines and cover crops in specially designed containers in the greenhouse that restricted their root systems to separate compartments, but allowed AM fungi to colonize both root systems. Leaves of two cover crops, a grass (Bromus hordeaceus) and a legume (Medicago polymorpha), were labeled with 99 atom% ¹⁵N solution for 24 h. Grapevine leaves were analyzed for ¹⁵N content 2, 5, and 10 days after labeling. Our results showed evidence of AM fungi-mediated ¹⁵N transfer from cover crops to grapevines 5 and 10 days after labeling. N transfer was significantly greater from the grass to the grapevine than from the legume to the grapevine. Possible reasons for the differences between the two cover crops include lower ¹⁵N enrichment in legume roots, higher biomass of grass roots, and/or differences in AM fungal community composition. Further studies are needed to investigate N transfer from grapevines to cover crops and to determine net N transfer between the two crops throughout their growing seasons, in order to understand the significance of AM fungi-mediated interplant nutrient transfers in the field.     

The role of arbuscular mycorrhiza in legume symbiotic performance

Legumes may respond to non-rhizobial inoculants such as arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi either through an effect on plant growth or, in addition, through an effect on the function of the legume-Rhizobium symbiosis. We have examined the literature where the application of ¹⁵N isotope dilution methodology permits the effect of indigenous AM and AM inoculants to be quantitatively separated into plant-growth-mediated and biological N₂ fixation (BNF)-mediated components. These studies clearly demonstrate the beneficial effects that both indigenous and inoculated AM have on legume growth, N uptake and the proportional dependence of the legume on atmospheric N₂. While the published data allow an assessment of various biological, edaphic and environmental factors that affect the response of various legumes to AM inoculation, they also highlight the paucity of quantitative field data and the lack of understanding of the interaction of legume genotype with AM species with respect to legume symbiotic performance.     

Effect of Green Waste Compost and Mycorrhizal Fungi on Calcium,Potassium, and Sodium Uptake of Woody Plants Grown Under Salt Stress

Sodium chloride is the most often used chemical to malt ice and snow on the roads and has negative effects on the roadside environment. Searching for ways to improve the conditions for growth of trees and shrubs near the roads becomes an urgent matter. One such method of improving growth conditions for plants under salinity might be to use organic matter (green waste compost) and mycorrhizal fungi. This study studied the effect of application in soil different salts on several trees and shrubs growth in growing media. Also, effect of green waste compost and arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) added to the growing medium was evaluated in terms of growth and K⁺, Ca⁺², and Na⁺ uptake. The highest pH of the growing medium was noted when sodium carbonate was used. The pH ranged from 8.7 to 9.0 after eight doses of sodium carbonate. The pH of the growing medium was also significantly higher regardless of whether or not green waste compost or mycorrhizal fungi were used. The type of growing medium had a great effect on the growth of most of the trees, but among shrubs the growing medium was only important for Cornus alba, Sambucus nigra, and Spiraea vanhouttei. Growth of all these plants was much better under salinity when green waste compost or green waste compost with AM fungi was used. In all the cases, when salinity of the growing medium retarded growth of trees and shrubs, sodium chloride was the compound that had the strongest growth retarding effect. Leaf ionic composition was significantly affected by salinity in the growing medium, and in some cases also by micorhizal fungi. The type of growing medium had various effects on sodium uptake, depending on species. In most cases, the addition of green waste compost to the growing medium caused a greater amount of sodium in the leaves of tested plants. The use of mycorrhizal fungi had no effect on the uptake of sodium, compared to the control plants (without AM fungi).     

Influence of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and salinity on growth,biomass, and mineral nutrition of<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Acacia auriculiformis</Emphasis>

The effect of salinity on the efficacy of two arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, Glomus fasciculatum and G. macrocarpum, alone and in combination was investigated on growth, development and nutrition of Acacia auriculiformis. Plants were grown under different salinity levels imposed by 0.3, 0.5 and 1.0 S m^-1 solutions of 1 M NaCl. Both mycorrhizal fungi protected the host plant against the detrimental effect of salinity. The extent of AM response on growth as well as root colonization varied with fungal species, and with the level of salinity. Maximum root colonization and spore production was observed with combined inoculation, which resulted in greater plant growth at all salinity levels. AM fungal inoculated plants showed significantly higher root and shoot weights. Greater nutrient acquisition, changes in root morphology, and electrical conductivity of soil in response to AM colonization was observed, and may be possible mechanisms to protect plants from salt stress.     

Response of soybean cultivars toward inoculation with three arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and Bradyrhizobium japonicum in the alluvial soil

The aim of this study was to assess the comparative efficacy of three arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) combined with cultivar specific Bradyrhizobium japonicum (CSBJ) in soybean under greenhouse conditions. Soybean seeds of four cultivars namely JS 335, JS 71-05, NRC 2 and NRC 7 were inoculated with three AM fungi (Glomus intraradices, Acaulospora tuberculata and Gigaspora gigantea) and CSBJ isolates, individually or in combination, and were grown in pots using autoclaved alluvial soil of a non-legume cultivated field of Ajmer (Rajasthan). Assessment of the data on nodulation, plant growth and seed yield revealed that amongst the single inoculations of three AMF, G. intraradices produced the largest increases in the parameters studied followed by A. tuberculata and G. gigantea indicating that plant acted selectively on AMF symbiosis. The dual inoculation with AMF + CSBJ further improved these parameters demonstrating synergism between the two microsymbionts. Among all the dual treatments, G. intraradices + B. japonicum brought about the largest increases in the studied characteristics particularly in seed weight per plant that increased up to 115.19%, which suggested that a strong selective synergistic relationship existed between AMF and B. japonicum. The cv. JS 335 exhibited maximum positive response towards inoculation. The variations in efficacy of different treatments with different soybean cultivars indicate the specificity of the inoculation response. These results provide a basis for selection of an appropriate combination of specific AMF and Bradyrhizobium which could further be utilized for verifying the symbiotic effectiveness and competitive ability of microsymbionts under field conditions of Ajmer region.     

Mycorrhizae,biocides, and biocontrol. 4. Response of a mixed culture of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and host plant to three fungicides

The effects of three commonly used fungicides on the colonization and sporulation by a mixture of three arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi consisting of Glomus etunicatum (Becker & Gerd.), Glomus mosseae (Nicol. & Gerd.) Gerd. & Trappe, and Gigaspora rosea (Nicol. & Schenck) in symbiosis with pea plants and the resulting response of the host-plant were examined. Benomyl, PCNB, and captan were applied as soil drenches at a rate of 20 mg active ingredient kg^-1 soil 2 weeks after transplanting pea seedlings in a silty clay-loam soil containing the mixed inocula of AM fungi (AM plants). Effects of fungicides were compared to untreated plants that were inoculated with fungi (AM control). The effect of mycorrhizal inoculation on plant growth was also examined by including nonmycorrhizal, non-fungicide-treated plants (non-AM control). Fungicides or inoculation with AM fungi had only a small effect on the final shoot weights of pea plants, but had greater effects on root length and seed yield. AM control plants had higher seed yields and lower root lengths than the corresponding non-AM plants, and the fungicide-treated AM plants had intermediate yields and root lengths. Seed N and P contents were likewise highest in AM control plants, lowest in non-AM plants, and intermediate in fungicide-treated AM plants. All three fungicides depressed the proportion (%) of root length colonized by AM fungi, but these differences did not translate to reductions in the total root length that was colonized, since roots were longer in the fungicide-treated AM plants. Pea plants apparently compensated for the reduction in AM-fungal metabolism due to fungicides by increasing root growth. Fungicides affected the population of the three fungi as determined by sporulation at the final harvest. Captan significantly reduced the number, relative abundance, and relative volume of G. rosea spores in the final population relative to the controls. The relative volume of G. etunicatum spores was greater in all the fungicide-treated soils, while G. mosseae relative volumes were only greater in the captan-treated soil. These findings show that fungicides can alter the species composition of an AM-fungal community. The results also show that AM fungi can increase seed yield without enhancing the vegetative shoot growth of host plants.     

Effects of compost addition on extra-radical growth of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in Acacia tortilis ssp. raddiana savanna in a pre-Saharan area

We studied the influence of added compost, consisting of Acacia cyanophylla leaves, on the production of extra-radical mycelia of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi in natural stands of Acacia tortilis, which forms a desert savanna. Four different plots with different soil characteristics in terms of nutrient level and water-holding capacity were included in the study. The production of AM fungi was measured as the increase in the amount of the phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) 16:1ω5 and the neutral lipid fatty acid (NLFA) 16:1ω5 in mesh bags placed in the root zone of A. tortilis trees. The production of AM mycelia was much higher at the site with the highest nutrient level and highest water holding capacity. Principal component analysis revealed that mesh bags from this plot had proportionally more PLFA 16:1ω5 than the other plots, indicating that this plot contained proportionally more AM fungi in the microbial community. Compost addition enhanced the production of AM mycelia in all plots although the response was greatest in the plot with the highest proportion of AM fungi. The beneficial effect of compost addition on growth of the AM fungal biomass found in this study could be one way to improve survival of planted seedlings in arid regions. We suggest that indigenous AM fungi, which are adapted to the limiting conditions in the plots, are the preferable source of inoculum for improving the growth of A. tortilis in plantations in pre-Saharan ecosystems.     

接种AM真菌对采煤沉陷区文冠果生长及土壤特性的影响

煤炭井工开采往往造成地表塌陷,导致了土壤养分贫瘠和水分缺乏,土壤沙化和水土流失,从而限制了当地矿区植被生长,而丛枝菌根真菌(arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi,AM真菌)对植被生长有促进作用。以文冠果为宿主植物,采用野外原位监测和室内分析方法,研究了未接种和接种丛枝菌根真菌对采煤沉陷区复垦植物文冠果生长和土壤特性的影响。结果表明:与未接种AM真菌处理相比,接种AM真菌显著提高了文冠果根系菌根侵染率和土壤根外菌丝密度,7月接种AM真菌文冠果的株高、冠幅和地径提高了31.89%,23.07%,9.89%。同时,9月接种AM真菌处理的根际土壤全氮、碱解氮和有机碳含量分别比对照组增加0.29g/kg、13.0mg/kg和1.4g/kg,接种AM真菌显著提高了根际土壤的含水率、总球囊霉素和易提取球囊霉素,而速效磷和速效钾的含量显著降低。相关分析结果表明,菌根侵染率、土壤根外菌丝密度与根际土壤理化性质之间存在协同反馈效应。因此,接种AM真菌促进了采煤沉陷区复垦植被文冠果的生长和土壤的改良,这对矿区水土保持、维持生态系统稳定性和持续性具有重要意义。     

Changes in rhizosphere microbial activity mediated by native or allochthonous AM fungi in the reafforestation of a Mediterranean degraded environment

This study was carried out in a semiarid degraded area to assess the effectiveness of mycorrhizal inoculation with a mixture of native arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi or an allochthonous AM fungus (Glomus claroideum), on the establishment of Olea europaea subsp. sylvestris L. and Retama sphaerocarpa (L.) Boissier in this area. Associated changes in the soil microbiological properties and aggregate stability related to these AM inocula were also recorded. Eighteen months after planting, G. claroideum had increased available P in the rhizosphere of both shrub species. In general, both inoculation treatments increased water-soluble C and water-soluble and total carbohydrates, G. claroideum being the most effective inoculum, particularly in R. sphaerocarpa. The mixture of native AM fungi was the most effective treatment for increasing the aggregate stability of R. sphaerocarpa soil, while that of O. europaea was increased only by G. claroideum. Increased (dehydrogenase, urease, protease-BAA, acid phosphatase and -glucosidase) enzyme activities, in particular of dehydrogenase and acid phosphatase, were recorded in the rhizosphere of both mycorrhizal shrub species. The mixture of native AM fungi was the most effective treatment for stimulating the growth of O. europaea and R. sphaerocarpa (11.6-fold and 3.3-fold, respectively, greater than control plants). The establishment of mycorrhizal shrub species favoured the reactivation of soil microbial activity, which was linked to an increase in aggregate stability.     

Pre-inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi suppresses root knot nematode (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Meloidogyne incognita</Emphasis>) on cucumber (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cucumis sativus</Emphasis>)

A pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the influence of pre-inoculation of cucumber plants with each of the three arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi Glomus intraradices, Glomus mosseae, and Glomus versiforme on reproduction of the root knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita. All three AM fungi tested significantly reduced the root galling index, which is the percentage of total roots forming galls. Numbers of galls per root system were significantly reduced only in the G. intraradices + M. incognita treatment. The number of eggs per root system was significantly decreased by AM fungus inoculation, no significant difference among the three AM fungal isolates. AM inoculation substantially decreased the number of females, the number of eggs g⁻¹ root and of the number of eggs per egg mass. The number of egg masses g⁻¹ root was greatly reduced by inoculation with G. mosseae or G. versiforme. By considering plant growth, nutrient uptake, and the suppression of M. incognita together, G. mosseae and G. versiforme were more effective than G. intraradices.     

Co-selection of compatible rhizobia and vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi for cowpea in sterilized and non-sterilized soils

Summary We selected two isolates of Rhizobium for cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) with sterilized soil tests and two different isolates by non-sterilized soil testing. The four rhizobia were then paired individually with either Glomus pallidum, Glomus aggregatum, or Sclerocystis microcarpa in separate, sterilized, or non-sterilized soil experiments. The purpose of the experiments was to determine the effect of soil sterilization on the selection of effective cowpea rhizobia, and to see whether these rhizobia differed in their effects on cowpea growth when paired with various vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungi. Our experiments showed that the rhizobia selected in sterilized soil tests produced few growth responses in the cowpea compared to the other introduced rhizobia, irrespective of pairing with VAM fungi in sterilized or non-sterilized soil. In contrast, the two rhizobia initially selected by non-sterilized soil testing significantly improved cowpea growth in non-sterilized soil, especially when paired with G. pallidum. Our results suggest that it is important to select for effective rhizobia in non-sterilized soil, and that pairing these rhizobia with specific, coselected VAM fungi can significantly improve the legume growth response.     

Legume residue influence arbuscular mycorrhizal colonisation and P uptake by wheat

Legumes have been shown to increase growth and P uptake of the following cereal. This could, in part, be due to nutrients released by the decomposing legume residues. To investigate the effect of P added with legume residues on wheat growth, P uptake and arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) colonisation, a number of experiments were conducted with different legume residues added to a soil with low P availability under conditions in which N was not limiting. Young and mature faba bean shoots (FYS, FMS) and mature chickpea shoots (CP) were added to soil at different rates (0.5–2%, w/w) with the P concentration being the greatest in the young faba bean shoots and least in the mature chickpea residues. Other treatments included addition of inorganic P at different rates (0–80 mg P kg⁻¹). Available P, growth and P uptake and AM colonisation of wheat were measured after 6 weeks. As expected, inorganic P addition increased growth and P uptake but decreased AM colonisation. The effect of the residues was more complex. AM colonisation was not correlated with available P in the soil amended with residues, whereas there was significant negative correlation between available P and AM colonisation in the treatments with inorganic P. Addition of FYS increased wheat shoot growth and P uptake and decreased AM colonisation. However, FMS and CP addition not only decreased wheat growth and P uptake but also AM colonisation despite low soil P availability. It is concluded that addition of some legume residues can improve the growth of subsequent cereals, but others have a negative effect on wheat growth and AM colonisation which cannot be explained solely by soil P availability.     

Effects of soil compaction and arbuscular mycorrhiza on corn (Zea mays L.) nutrient uptake

Soil compaction is of great importance, due to its adverse effects on plant growth and the environment. Mechanical methods to control soil compaction may not be economically and environmentally friendly. Hence, we designed experiments to test the hypothesis that use of plant symbiotic fungi, arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) may alleviate the stressful effects of soil compaction on corn (Zea mays L.) growth through enhancing nutrient uptake. AM continuously interact with other soil microorganisms and its original diversity may also be important in determining the ability of the fungi to cope with the stresses. Hence, the objectives were: (1) to determine the effects of soil compaction on corn nutrient uptake in unsterilized (S1) and sterilized (S2) soils, and (2) to determine if inoculation of corn with different species of AM with different origins can enhance corn nutrient uptake in a compacted soil. Using 2 kg weights, soils (from the field topsoil) of 10 kg pots were compacted at three and four levels (C1, C2, C3 and C4) (C1 = non-compacted control) in the first and second experiment, respectively. Corn (cv. 704) seeds were planted in each pot and were inoculated with different AM treatments including control (M1), Iranian Glomus mosseae (M2), Iranian G. etunicatum (M3), and Canadian G. mosseae, received from GINCO (Glomales In Vitro Collection), Canada (M4). Corn leaf nutrient uptake of N, P, K, Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu were determined. Higher levels of compaction reduced corn nutrient uptake, however different species of AM and soil sterilization significantly increased it. The highest increase in nutrient uptake was related to P (60%) and Fe (58%) due to treatment M4S2C3. Although it seems that M3 and M4 may be the most effective species on corn nutrient uptake in a compacted soil, M2 increased nutrient uptake under conditions (C3 and C4 in unsterilized soil) where the other species did not. Through increasing nutrient uptake AM can alleviate the stressful effects of soil compaction on corn growth.     

Rhodotorulic acid enhances root colonization of tomato plants by arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi due to its stimulatory effect on the pre-symbiotic stages of the AM fungi

Exudates of Rhodotorula mucilaginosa, a yeast commonly found in the rhizosphere, increased hyphal length of the arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi Gigaspora rosea and Gigaspora margarita. Rhodotorulic acid (RA), a siderophore compound obtained from R. mucilaginosa exudates, increased hyphal length and branching. Thus, the increase in the number of entry points and the higher AM root colonization of tomato plants in the presence of RA can at least partially be explained by the positive effect of RA on the pre-symbiotic stages of the AM fungi.     

Fraxinus-Glomus-Pisolithus symbiosis: Plant growth and soil aggregation effects

It has been established that arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi are involved in the conservation of soil structure. However, the effect of ectomycorrhizal (EM) fungi alone or in interaction with AM fungi in soil structure has been much less studied. This experiment evaluated EM and AM fungi effects on soil aggregation and plant growth. Ash plants (Fraxinus uhdei) were grown in pots, and were inoculated with Glomus intraradices and Pisolithus tinctorius separately but also in combination. Our results showed that F. uhdei established a symbiotic association with EM and AM fungi, and that these organisms, when interacting, showed synergistic and additive effects on plant growth compared to singly inoculated treatments. EM and AM fungi prompted changes in root morphology and increased water-stable aggregates. AM fungi affect mainly small-sized macroaggregates, while EM and EM-AM fungi interaction mainly affected aggregates bigger than 0.5 mm diameter. These results suggest that ectomyccorrhizal as well as arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi should be considered in restoration programs with Fraxinus plants.     

Mixed-species legume fallows affect faunal abundance and richness and N cycling compared to single species in maize-fallow rotations

Rotation of nitrogen-fixing woody legumes with maize has been widely promoted to reduce the loss of soil organic matter and decline in soil biological fertility in maize cropping systems in Africa. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of maize-fallow rotations with pure stands, two-species legume mixtures and mixed vegetation fallows on the richness and abundance of soil macrofauna and mineral nitrogen (N) dynamics. Pure stands of sesbania (Sesbania sesban), pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan), tephrosia (Tephrosia vogelii), 1:1 mixtures of sesbania + pigeon pea and sesbania + tephrosia, and a mixed vegetation fallow were compared with a continuously cropped monoculture maize receiving the recommended fertilizer rate, which was used as the control. The legume mixtures did not differ from the respective pure stands in leaf, litter and recycled biomass, soil Ca, Mg and K. Sesbania + pigeon pea mixtures consistently increased richness in soil macrofauna, and abundance of earthworms and millipedes compared with the maize monoculture (control). The nitrate-N, ammonium-N and total mineral N concentration of the till layer soil (upper 20 cm) of pure stands and mixed-species legume plots were comparable with the control plots. Sesbania + pigeon pea mixtures also gave higher maize grain yield compared with the pure stands of legume species and mixed vegetation fallows. It is concluded that maize-legume rotations increase soil macrofaunal richness and abundance compared with continuously cropped maize, and that further research is needed to better understand the interaction effect of macrofauna and mixtures of organic resources from legumes on soil microbial communities and nutrient fluxes in such agro-ecosystems.