Investigation of plant species effects on soil Metagenomics from lab-scale bioretention columns

The community structure and function along with nitrogen partitioning and denitrification rates were studied in soil bioretention mesocolumns (7 unique plant species). These constructed columns were housed in a greenhouse and periodically dosed with synthetic stormwater (low levels of nutrients and pollutants), to test how different dosing regimes and plant species altered nitrogen removal rates and affected the microbial community.Plant species with high N assimilation rates had lower denitrification gene abundances and denitrification percentages as measured via 15N tracers. Microbial community structure was significantly altered by plant species within the Top zone (influenced by roots).