Dynamics of Cotton Rhizosphere Bacterial Community Structure in Cotton Continuous Cropping Field Soil

Objective] The aim of this study is to understand the dynamics of cotton rhizosphere bacterial community structure in cotton continuous cropping field soil. Method] 16S rDNA genes were sequenced by high-throughput sequencing technology to determine the community structure of cotton rhizosphere bacteria in different developmental stages using an upland cotton cultivar (Gossypium hirsutum cv. TM-1). Result] Four dominant phyla were found in the cotton rhizosphere bacterial community including Proteobacteria, Acidobacteria, Planctomycetes, and Bacteroidetes. The four dominant phyla and Firmicutes were largely influenced by cotton root. The relative abundances of Acidobacteria, Planctomycetes, Bacteroidetes were promoted, and Proteobacteria and Firmicutes were inhibited, by cotton root. There were significant differences in community structure, but not species richness or α-diversity among different developmental stages of the cotton rhizosphere bacterial community; the differences between the flowering stage and the budding stage were greater than the differences between the budding stage and the seedling stage. The diversity of the rhizosphere bacterial community in cotton continuous cropping field soil was significantly higher than that of the bulk soil; the β-diversity values of both the rhizosphere and bulk soil bacterial communities were highest in the flowering stage. Conclusion] The structure and dynamics of the cotton rhizosphere bacterial community in cotton continuous cropping field soil was defined by high-throughput sequencing. The effect of cotton on the rhizosphere bacterial community structure was most significant in the flowering stage.