Root-associated microbiota of field grown maize. Root-associated microbiota of field-grown maize

Plant roots are colonized by complex microbial communities from the surrounding soil, called the root microbiota, and members of this microbial assemblage can help nutrient mobilization, thus potentially reducing fertilization application. Despite the importance of the root microbiota for plant health, little is known how soil management strategies and plant growth influence plant root microbiota dynamics. In this project, we comprehensively characterized the maize root bacterial, fungal, and oomycetal communities during vegetative and reproductive growth of four inbred and one mutant lines. These plants were grown in two long-term experimental fields under four contrasting soil management practices (two conventional, one conventional without P, and organic).