Phosphorus addition shifts the microbial community in the rhizosphere of blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.)

Phosphorous (P) fertilization is critical to enhance plant P uptake and proper growth. Soil microorganisms play a key role in P cycle and mediating P availability to plants. However, it is presently unknown if its application may have detrimental effects on the soil bacterial community. Blueberries are sensitive to fertilization hinting to close relationships with beneficial microbes related to soil nutrition. Our study explored the effect of P fertilization amendments on soil bacterial community composition in two varieties of commercial blueberry (Vaccinium sp. var. “Misty” and “Biloxi”). Shifts in microbial community composition and diversity were found in response to P amendment. The rhizosphere microbiome was influenced by P level and differentiated based on low P (0 and 50 kg/ha) and high P (101 and 192 kg/ha) rates. Additionally, predictive microbial acid phosphatase activity decreased with increasing levels of decomposition and solubility of mineral P. Thus, our results suggest that P fertilization decreases the ability of P-solubilizing microbes to naturally provide P to the plant.