15N Field qSIP. Processed data used to generate the results in the Reed et al. manuscript entitled "Comparing field and lab quantitative stable isotope probing for nitrogen assimilation in soil microbes"

This data accompanies a manuscript by Kinsey Reed, Chansotheary Dang, Jeth Walkup, Alicia Purcell, Bruce Hungate, and Ember M Morrissey entitled "Comparing field and lab quantitative stable isotope probing for nitrogen assimilation in soil microbes"
The aims of this work were to 1) determine if and how genus-specific N assimilation as assessed via qSIP differs between lab and field measurements, and 2) identify soil prokaryotes important for N immobilization in the rhizosphere of maize (Zea mays). We hypothesized that lab conditions could inflate rates of N assimilation relative to field conditions due to more optimal growth conditions and lowered competition for N from plants. Given the root removal and soil disturbance that occurs prior to laboratory measurements, we also predicted the function and abundance of root-associated microbial groups would differ between the field and lab measurements. To address the aims and hypotheses, we performed qSIP with 15N in the field and in the lab with soil from two maize-cropped agricultural fields. Microbial access to nutrients, including N, is at least partially determined by soil physical characteristics like bulk density (38). To determine how the comparability of field and lab measurements might vary in relation to soil characteristics we leveraged two topographically distinct sites with differing soil properties. To determine the field relevance of lab measurements, field and lab procedures were kept as consistent as possible.