16S Amplicon Sequencing of Nitrifying Bacteria and Archaea Inhabiting Maize Rhizosphere and the Influencing Environmental Factors

Oluwatobi Esther Ayiti, Ayansina Segun Ayangbenro and Olubukola Oluranti Babalola ()
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Oluwatobi Esther Ayiti: Food Security and Safety Focus Area, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, North-West University, Private Mail Bag X2046, Mmabatho 2735, South Africa
Ayansina Segun Ayangbenro: Food Security and Safety Focus Area, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, North-West University, Private Mail Bag X2046, Mmabatho 2735, South Africa
Olubukola Oluranti Babalola: Food Security and Safety Focus Area, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, North-West University, Private Mail Bag X2046, Mmabatho 2735, South Africa

Agriculture, 2022, vol. 12, issue 9, 1-13

Abstract: Nitrifying bacteria and archaea are ubiquitous and can transform ammonia locked up in soil or manure into nitrate, a more soluble form of nitrogen. However, nitrifying bacteria and archaea inhabiting maize rhizosphere have not been fully explored. This study evaluates the diversity and abundance of nitrifying bacteria and archaea across different growth stages of maize using 16S amplicon sequencing. Moreover, the influence of environmental factors (soil physical and chemical properties) on the nitrifying communities was evaluated. Rhizosphere soil DNA was extracted using Nucleospin Soil DNA extraction kit and sequenced on Illumina Miseq platform. MG-RAST was used to analyze the raw sequences. The physical and chemical properties of the soil were measured using standard procedure. The results revealed 9 genera of nitrifying bacteria; Nitrospira , Nitrosospira , Nitrobacter , Nitrosovibrio , Nitrosomonas , Nitrosococcus , Nitrococcus , unclassified (derived from Nitrosomonadales), unclassified (derived from Nitrosomonadaceae) and 1 archaeon Candidatus Nitrososphaera . The Nitrospirae phyla group, which had the most nitrifying bacteria, was more abundant at the tasselling stage (67.94%). Alpha diversity showed no significant difference. However, the Beta diversity showed significant difference ( p = 0.01, R = 0.58) across the growth stages. The growth stages had no significant effect on the diversity of nitrifying bacteria and archaea, but the tasselling stage had the most abundant nitrifying bacteria. A correlation was observed between some of the chemical properties and some nitrifying bacteria. The research outcome can be put into consideration while carrying out a biotechnological process that involves nitrifying bacteria and archaea.

Keywords: Nitrospirae; biotechnology; nitrate; maize growth stages; nucleospin; ammonia (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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