View in EDS

Soil moisture gradients shape microbial communities and influence cranberry yield: a case study on subirrigation.

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Title: Soil moisture gradients shape microbial communities and influence cranberry yield: a case study on subirrigation.
Authors: N'guetta, Adou Kouao Antoine, Gumiere, Thiago, Gumiere, Silvio J., Lafond, Jonathan A., Celicourt, Paul, Constant, Phillipe, Rousseau, Alain N.
Source: Scientific Reports; 10/1/2025, Vol. 15 Issue 1, p1-14, 14p
Subject Terms: SOIL moisture, SUBIRRIGATION, WATER management, MICROBIAL communities, SOIL productivity, SUSTAINABLE agriculture, CRANBERRIES, NITROGEN cycle
Abstract: Water management is vital in cranberry farming, balancing plant needs and supporting flood-based harvesting. This study examines subirrigation, a technique that reduces water use and enhances yields, by utilizing natural soil moisture gradients in two fields to assess its effects on yield and soil bacteria. Considering 166,551 observation points collected over four years, we confirmed significant differences in soil moisture between the eastern and western sides of the fields, with lower water table depths on the subirrigated sides. Using 16 S rRNA sequencing, we examined soil bacterial communities, focusing on nitrogen cycling. Subirrigated areas, with lower moisture levels, showed higher cranberry yields (up to 45.67 t/ha) and a greater abundance of beneficial bacteria such as Burkholderia and Arthrobacter. The results also suggest an increase in predicted bacterial genes linked to nitrogen mineralization, denitrification, and nitrate assimilation as soil moisture levels rise, which, notably, correlates negatively with cranberry yield. Conversely, DNRA (nirD) and ANRA (NasA and NasB) genes appear to be indirectly favored in environments with lower soil moisture. Our findings not only shed light on the intricate relationships between bacterial genera, nitrogen metabolism, and environmental factors but also underscore the potential of sustainable agricultural practices in enhancing soil health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Scientific Reports is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Complementary Index
Description
Abstract:Water management is vital in cranberry farming, balancing plant needs and supporting flood-based harvesting. This study examines subirrigation, a technique that reduces water use and enhances yields, by utilizing natural soil moisture gradients in two fields to assess its effects on yield and soil bacteria. Considering 166,551 observation points collected over four years, we confirmed significant differences in soil moisture between the eastern and western sides of the fields, with lower water table depths on the subirrigated sides. Using 16 S rRNA sequencing, we examined soil bacterial communities, focusing on nitrogen cycling. Subirrigated areas, with lower moisture levels, showed higher cranberry yields (up to 45.67 t/ha) and a greater abundance of beneficial bacteria such as Burkholderia and Arthrobacter. The results also suggest an increase in predicted bacterial genes linked to nitrogen mineralization, denitrification, and nitrate assimilation as soil moisture levels rise, which, notably, correlates negatively with cranberry yield. Conversely, DNRA (nirD) and ANRA (NasA and NasB) genes appear to be indirectly favored in environments with lower soil moisture. Our findings not only shed light on the intricate relationships between bacterial genera, nitrogen metabolism, and environmental factors but also underscore the potential of sustainable agricultural practices in enhancing soil health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:20452322
DOI:10.1038/s41598-025-16393-8