Soil microbial community in cropping systems integrated with Urochloa spp

Nitrogen (N) is essential in agriculture, but has caused environmental pollution problems, demanding improvements in N use efficiency by crops. Tropical grasses like Urochloa spp. conserve N by biological nitrification inhibition (BNI) and mitigate N losses in soils. However, little is known regarding the effects of BNI plants on soil microbial diversity and functions, especially those related to nitrification. This project aims to assess the effect of cultivation of Urochloa spp. on the soil microbial community in grain crops (maize and soybean). The soil microbial community’s structure and predicted functionality will be accessed using advanced molecular tools and biostatistics. We expect to understand the effects of BNI plant Urochloa spp. on the soil microbial diversity and functions, especially those related to N transformations in soil. These results will support further studies on soil management practices for achieving more sustainable production systems in terms of N dynamics.

Faculty Supervisor:

Thiago Gumiere

Student:

Partner:

Universidade Estadual de Londrina

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Agriculture and Food; Sustainability & the Environment; Life Sciences (not health)

University:

Université Laval

Program: