Response of the major soil fungal phyla (18S DNA copy numbers) to prolonged drought and soil wetness variable temperatures. Simulation in Phytotron

This data set belongs to a study on the soil microbial response to altered temperature and moisture conditions, simulating scenarios relevant to the central-eastern Po Valley, Italy.

Experimental Design:

Temperature: Two spring temperatures were simulated: +2°C and -2°C relative to the average.

Moisture: Prolonged drought (20% of field capacity-FC), prolonged wet (above FC), and moderate drought (50% FC) were tested.

Soil: Loam-silty soil from a ploughed and an unploughed field was used.

Microbes: Total fungi and the two main fungal phyla occurring in top soil (Ascomycota and Basidiomycota) were quantified, respectively, with general and specific primers of the18S ribosomal RNA region using digital PCR. Total  bacteria were quantified with general primers of the 16S ribosomal RNA region using Real-Time PCR. 

Procedure:

Wheat seedlings were grown in pots for 15 days at 22°C and 50% FC.

Two 60-day experimental periods followed, with the designated temperature and moisture conditions.

Soil samples were collected from the rhizosphere of wheat plants at the end of each 60-day cycle.