The Evaluation of the PVAMU Soil Microbiome: Evaluation of the Essential Components for Plant Productivity
Ines Frazier Mentor: Quincy C. Moore College of Agriculture and Human Sciences | Department of Biology Introduction: The PVAMU Microbiome project will focus on characterizing the microorganisms that comprise the campus soil microflora and the diversity present. The focus evaluates the microbiome that exists in the environment to determine the causal relationship that the soil microflora has on all life (Berg et al. 2014, Berg et al. 2014, Jansson et al. 2013). This project involves the use of soil samples from a variety of sites on the campus to determine the microorganisms that make up the Microbiome at Prairie View A & M University. Successful agriculture is often relying on the fertility of the soil and the nutrients that it holds. Many nutrients develop in soil due to the biological transformation by the action of microorganisms (Zhang et al. 2002). Thus, the quantity and quality of soil microbes are what can help farmers and those alike increase productivity yields. The species of microorganisms depend on the physical and chemical nature of the soil, as these facts can impact the activity level of soil microbes (Hendrix et al. 1986). Materials and Methods: Soil samples at a depth of 3 inches will be gathered from several sites on the Prairie View A&M University farm throughout different farming seasons (from seeding to harvest). The DNA from the samples will then be isolated using the Fisher Bioreagents SurePrepTM Soil DNA Isolation Kit or a similar kit. Results and Discussion: Based on the literature review, soil health is based on soil fertility and the activity of soil microbes. Being that soil is a finite resource, preservation is a top priority and done via reducing erosion and adding any mineral amendments to fix deficiencies. One study found that the correlation of soil microbes and soil fertility was significant between the number of bacteria and contents of the organic matter (Sun et al. 2004). Within our study, we can hypothesize that if the soil on the PVAMU farm has a high fertility rating, then the diversity of soil microbes will be greater, thus causing a higher quality yield crop. Conclusion(s) or Summary: Based on the plant and soil feedback (PSF), we will be able to decipher which areas on the farm are the best to utilize for production based on their plant and soil microbe relationship (Miller et al. 2019). To gain the most significant advantage of potential fertility, we must remember that soil is biologically alive and that colloidal clays have a cation exchange property with organic matter that governs the release of plant food. Identifying which areas on the farm can grow plants with more biomass will be used to create a comprehensive microbiome map of the PVAMU farm that can target specific areas with a higher potential to yield organisms that promote substantial seed growth. This will be an ongoing project as fertilizers, temperature, pore space, harvesting season, plant choice, and farm management practices all impacted soil health. (1) References: (2) Berg, G., M. Grube, M. Schloter, and K. Smalla, The plant microbiome and its importance for plant and human health. Frontiers in Microbiology, 2014. 5(491): p. 1-2. (3) Berg, G., A. Mahnert, and C. Moissl-Eichinger, Beneficial effects of plant-associated microbes on indoor microbiomes and human health? Frontiers in Microbiology, 2014. 5: p. 1-5. (4) Hendrix PF, Parmelee RW, Crossley DA, Coleman DC, Odum EP, et al. (1986) Detritus food webs in conventional and no-tillage agroecosystems. Bioscience 36(6): 374-380. (5) Jansson, J.K., and J.I. Prosser, Microbiology: The life beneath our feet. Nature, 2013. 494(7435): p. 40-41. 50
