Temporal dynamics of free‐living nitrogen fixation in the switchgrass rhizosphere

Smercina, Darian N.; Evans, Sarah E.; Friesen, Maren L.; Tiemann, Lisa K.

doi:10.1111/gcbb.12893

Temporal dynamics of free‐living nitrogen fixation in the switchgrass rhizosphere

Journal Article · Sun Sep 12 00:00:00 EDT 2021 · Global Change Biology. Bioenergy

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1111/gcbb.12893· OSTI ID:1819784

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Biological Sciences Division, Earth and Biological Sciences Directorate Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Richland Washington USA, Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences Michigan State University East Lansing Michigan USA
W.K. Kellogg Biological Station Department of Integrative Biology Michigan State University Hickory Corners Michigan USA
Department of Plant Pathology Washington State University Pullman Washington USA, Department of Crop and Soil Sciences Washington State University Pullman Washington USA
Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences Michigan State University East Lansing Michigan USA

Abstract

Free‐living nitrogen fixation (FLNF) represents an important terrestrial N source and is gaining interest for its potential to contribute plant available N to bioenergy cropping systems. Switchgrass, a cellulosic bioenergy crop, may be particularly reliant on FLNF when grown on low N systems, like marginal lands. However, the potential contributions of FLNF to switchgrass as well as the controls on this process are not well understood. In this study, we evaluated drivers of FLNF rates and N‐fixing microbial (diazotrophic) community composition in field‐grown switchgrass systems over two growing seasons with high temporal sampling. We found that climate variables are strong drivers of FLNF rates in switchgrass systems, compared to other environmental and biological factors including soil nutrients and diazotrophic community composition. Increased soil moisture availability generally promoted FLNF rates, but extreme rainfall events were detrimental. These climate‐related responses suggest a potential for loss of FLNF‐derived N contributions under projected climate shifts. We found a significant, but weak correlation between diazotrophic community composition and FLNF rates. We also observed a significant shift in the diazotrophic community composition between 2017 and 2018 and similarly measured a significant difference in FLNF rates between growing seasons. Lastly, we found that seasonal FLNF N contributions, based on measurement with high temporal resolution, has the potential to meet up to 80% of switchgrass N demands suggesting that FLNF measurements extrapolated from fewer time points or locations may underestimate these potential N contributions.

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Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE

Grant/Contract Number:: SC0014108; FC02-07ER64494; SC0018409

OSTI ID:: 1819784

Alternate ID(s):: OSTI ID: 1819786
OSTI ID: 1827258

Journal Information:: Global Change Biology. Bioenergy, Journal Name: Global Change Biology. Bioenergy Journal Issue: 11 Vol. 13; ISSN 1757-1693

Publisher:: Wiley-BlackwellCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United Kingdom

Language:: English

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