Soil microbial community dynamics over a maize (Zea mays L.) growing season under conventional- and no-tillage practices in a rainfed agroecosystem

Tillage practices affect soil microorganisms, which in turn influence many processes essential to the function and sustainability of soil. In this study, the changes in soil microbial biomass and community composition in response to conventional tillage (CT, moldboard plowing and post-harvest residue removal) and no-tillage (NT) practices were examined during a maize (Zea mays L.) growing season in a clay loam soil (Typic Hapludoll) in northeastern China. Soil samples were taken in May, June, July, August, and September of 2008 at 0–5, 5–10, and 10–20 cm depths. Microbial communities were characterized by phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) analysis. While microbial biomass increased at the beginning then decreased toward the end of the growing season in CT soils, it showed the opposite trend in NT soils. Microbial community structure showed better distinction among sampling months than between tillage practices. These results suggest that seasonal variations in soil microbial communities could be greater than changes associated with tillage treatments. However, microbial biomass accumulation was tillage dependent. On average, NT treatment resulted in 21% higher microbial biomass in 0–5 cm depth than CT treatment (P < 0.05). Higher fungi to bacteria ratio was also observed under NT than CT treatment at both the 0–5 and 5–10 cm sampling depths. These data demonstrate that examining the effect of management practices on soil quality based on soil microbial communities should consider seasonal changes in the environmental properties. It is strongly recommended that NT practice should be adopted as an effective component of an overall strategy to improve soil quality and sustainability in northeastern China.

► Distinct dynamic pattern in soil microbial biomass under CT and NT practices.
► Soil microbial biomass accumulation was tillage dependent.
► Caution should be taken when evaluating microbial communities at one sampling point.