Assessment and comparison of rhizosphere communities in cultivated Vaccinium spp. provide a baseline for study of causative agents in decline

Authors: Kawash, Joseph; OUDEMANS, PETER - Rutgers University; Erndwein, Lindsay; Polashock, James

Submitted to: Frontiers in Plant Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/29/2023
Publication Date: 6/27/2023
Citation: Kawash, J.K., Oudemans, P., Erndwein, L.C., Polashock, J.J. 2023. Assessment and comparison of rhizosphere communities in cultivated Vaccinium spp. provide a baseline for study of causative agents in decline. Frontiers in Plant Science. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2023.1173023.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2023.1173023

Interpretive Summary: There is increasing evidence that the diverse population of microbes present in soil can affect plant health. The diversity of microbes present can be influenced by a number of factors such as the soil type, the species of plants growing in those soils and in the case of cultivated plants, the management practices associated with crop production. Blueberry and cranberry generally grow in sandy, acidic soils that have low levels of nutrients. When properly maintained, fields planted with these crops can remain productive for many years. However, yields and fruit quality in older fields are beginning to decline and it is suspected that degenerating soil health is a contributing factor. Since blueberry and cranberry soils and management practices are unique as compared to most other crops (such as corn and soybean), determining what microbes normally grow in blueberry and cranberry soils is a first critical first step to understanding the complex issue of soil health. We characterized the microbe community associated with blueberry and cranberry, providing a framework for determining which microbes specifically affect plant health. This information will be useful for researchers studying soil health and the interactions of soil microbes with plants. Producers will ultimately benefit as we use these data to develop ways to mitigate soil decline.

Technical Abstract: There is growing evidence that the community of organisms associated with plant roots is a critical component of the phytobiome and directly contributes to the overall health of the plant. The rhizosphere microbial community is influenced by a number of factors including, but not limited to, the soil type, the species of plants growing in those soils and in the case of cultivated plants, the management practices associated with crop production. Vaccinium species, such as highbush blueberry and cranberry, are woody perennials that generally grow in sandy, acidic soils that have low levels of organic matter. When properly maintained, fields planted with these crops can remain productive for many years. In some cases however, yields and fruit quality are beginning to decline and it is suspected that degenerating soil health is a contributing factor. Since blueberry and cranberry soils and management practices are unique as compared to most other crops, determining the core assemblage of microorganisms associated with these crops is a critical first step to understanding the complex issue of soil health. We analyzed the eukaryotic and bacterial communities from the rhizosphere of representative blueberry and cranberry soils. The rhizosphere microbial make up was remarkably similar between the crops, despite differences in management practices. The data presented herein provide a framework for examining microbial components that might contribute to the health of Vaccinium spp. crops in the northeast.