Decomposing cover crops modify root-associated microbiome composition and disease tolerance of cash crop seedlings

The assembly of root-associated microbes during the seedling stage has strong impact on subsequent performance crops. Major factors influencing this are crop species identity and composition potential root-colonizing in bulk soil. latter can be modified by soil management, such as organic amendments. incorporation residues cover crops before start growing season cash presents an interesting option for steering microbiomes there is a wide range with different properties available farmers. In greenhouse study, we examined effect amendments milled shoot root materials seven (niger seed, phacelia, rapeseed, radish, vetch, black oat buckwheat) bacteria fungi seedlings four (asparagus, carrot, onion sugar beet). Field-grown material used study was collected at two time points (before after winter) which had plant elemental composition. mixture sandy arable soils history soil-borne fungal diseases (Fusarium Rhizoctonia). Within context selection species, found significant modifying effects materials. We show that stronger than identity. High quality (with low C/N ratio) caused profound shifts within Proteobacteria increases relative abundance certain microbial groups Bacillaceae Mortierellomycetes. These changes coincided differences establishment survival seedlings. Tolerance beet against pathogen Rhizoctonia solani correlated causing Oxalobacteraceae, Mortierellaceae. However, same increased Fusarium-induced failure asparagus seed germination. This indicates fine-tuning required to realize enhanced functioning microbiomes.