Data on the quantitative response of microbial populations to prolonged drought and soil wetness under cold and warm spring conditions. Simulation in Phytotrone

The soil microbial response to changes in temperature and weather patterns was assessed in phytotron, with central-eastern Po Valley (Bologna province) in northern Italy as a point of reference. Prolonged soil drought (20% field capacity FC), prolonged wet (above FC) and moderate drought (commonly occurring at 50% FC) were simulated at two spring temperatures, which were approximately + 2°C and -2°C colder and warmer compared to average temperatures in the central-eastern Po Valley.  The response of total fungi, Ascomycota and Basidiomycota was quantified using 18S gene copy numbers and digital PCR, that of total bacteria using 16S gene copy numbers and Real Time PCR.The experimental setting of each of the two cycles (cold and warm spring) consisted of a total of 30 pots for a 60-day growing period, after a pre-period of 15 days during which pots, after wheat sown, were maintained at the same temperature and soil water content (22 °C and 50% field capacity) in order to guarantee that seedlings reached the two-leaf stage.The soil  used for the in-pot trial was a loam-silty soil classified as Udifluventic Haplustepts fine silty, mixed mesifocusing collected from a ploughed soil.  Soil samples for the quantification of microbial populations were collected at the end of the 60-day cicles on the rhizo-head of wheat plants.