Master of Science / Department of Agronomy / Charles W. Rice / Maize (Zea mays L.) is a major staple crop whose wild ancestor was domesticated about 9,000 years ago (Beadle, 1939). Long-term breeding for more desirable traits ultimately resulted in the maize we see today. This long-term breeding likely impacted the processes within the rhizosphere of maize, however, to what extent is not well understood. This study examined the microbial communities between an inbred maize line (B73), a hybrid of two isogenic lines (B73xMo17), and two genetically modified maize hybrids (DKC63-55RIB and DKC64-69RIB) to determine if the plant’s ability to attract beneficial microbes changed with breeding. The hypothesis was that the isogenic cultivar forms better relationships with bacteria and fungi compared to the newer cultivars, especially in low P soil. It was also expected that the greater the difference between the cultivars the more distinct their soil microbiome. To test these hypotheses, experiments were conducted under greenhouse and field conditions. Analyses consisted of root staining to test symbiotic relationships, phospholipid fatty acid analysis (PLFA) for microbial communities, total plant and root biomass, and nutrient content to understand plant responses. Based on the field results, there was no impact on root and shoot biomass and nutrient content by differences in cultivar. Differences in cultivar did impact arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) colonization, which decreased over time and depth for all. Soil AMF also saw a significant effect by cultivar. Other microbial groups were not impacted by cultivar, were greatest in the control, and decreased over time. Greenhouse results showed a cultivar by time interaction for root and shoot biomass. Soil P also impacted shoot biomass, but not root biomass. Shoot nutrient content was greater in high P soil, while roots only saw an impact for root P. No cultivar effect was found for soil microbial groups except for fungi, while all microbial groups were reduced in the control soil. Most soil microbial groups were also impacted by soil P as indicated by reduced concentrations in low P soil. AMF was the only microbial group that was not negatively impacted by limited soil P. In addition, all soil microbial groups increased over time, although fungi saw a decrease at R1. No significances were observed for percent AMF colonization.

Thesis (MScAgric (Soil Science))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Acidic soils are a major limitation to agriculture worldwide. The Highveld in South Africa has many acidic soils and several coal burning power stations. These coal burning power stations generate alkaline fly ash as a waste material and it can thus serve as an ameliorant to the surrounding acidic soils. A two year field trial was undertaken to compare fly ash and other calcium ameliorants to alleviate the effects of subsoil acidity on maize root development. The field trail was established on Beestepan Farm in Middelburg, Mpumalanga. It consisted of 24 treatments, each done in triplicate, rendering a total of 72 plots. The materials used were unweathered fly ash (CCE 10%), calcitic lime (CCE 77%) and Calmasil (a calcium silicate slag, CCE 99%). Calmasil and lime were applied at rates of 0-, 1-, 2-, and 4t/ha, while fly ash was applied at 0-, 7-, 14- and 28t/ha. These treatments were applied to an acidic sandy loam soils in the presence or absence of 4t/ha gypsum. Beans were harvested after the first season following the application of amendments and maize was harvested in the second season. Yield, root length, leaf and soil analysis was undertaken to evaluate the effectiveness of the different liming materials. The effect of the treatments on fertility indicators such as pH, exchangeable acidity, Ca and Mg was investigated. Results indicated that all liming materials increased topsoil pH, soil nutrient and base status and crop yield in both seasons. Calmasil was the superior liming material in all respects. Fly ash increased pH minimally but reduced exchangeable acidity by 12% and 24% in the first and second seasons, respectively. Fly ash increased topsoil Ca levels from 74 to 102mg/kg and subsoil Ca from 61 to 114mg/kg. Topsoil Mg levels were increased from 7.3 to 16mg/kg and subsoil Mg was increased from 9.4 to 13mg/kg. The consequence of these increased nutrients was the subsequent increased foliar uptake of Ca and Mg. The substantial increase in bean yield from 958 to 1724kg/ha and maize yield from 5569 to 7553kg/ha following ash application compared well with results obtained from lime and Calmasil application. This may partly be due to the presence of additional plant nutrients such as P and K in the fly ash. Dissolution behaviour of fly ash indicates that upon exposure to acidity the release of micronutrients like B, Co, Cu, Fe, Mo, Mn and Zn occurs, and preliminary data shows that there is comparatively little concern regarding heavy metal accumulation in crops. The application of 4t/ha gypsum had no effect on pH and decreased subsoil acidity only minimally however, subsoil Ca status and acid saturation levels were considerably improved which would possibly account for the overall beneficial effect on maize yield, increasing by an average of 1071kg/ha. It was not possible to make any conclusions relating treatment application and maize root length. This field trial has confirmed that fly ash can be used as an efficient liming material and that it compares well with traditional liming materials. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Suurgronde is ‘n groot beperking tot landbou wêreldwyd. Die Suid Afrikaanse Hoëveld het menigte suurgronde en verskeie steenkool-aangedrewe kragstasies. Hiedie kragstasies produseer alkaliese vliegas as ‘n afvalproduk. Hierdie vliegas kan dus dien as ‘n grondverbeteringsmiddel vir die aangrensende suurgronde. ‘n Tweejarige veldproef was onderneem om vliegas met ander kalsium-bevattende grondverbetereringsmiddels te vergelyk om die effek van ondergrondse suurheid op mielies op te hef. Hierdie veldproef was opgeset te Beestepan plaas in Middelburg, Mpumalanga. Dit het bestaan uit 24 behandelings wat drie keer herhaal was en lewer dus ‘n totaal van 72 persele. Die kalkmateriale wat gebruik was, is onverweerde vliegas (KKE 10%), kalsitiese kalk (KKE 77%) en Calmasil (‘n kalsium silikaat slak, KKE 99%). Calmasil en kalk was toegedien teen 0-, 1-, 2-, en 4t/ha, en vliegas teen 0-, 7-, 14- en 28t/ha. Hierdie behandelinge was toegedien tot ‘n suur leemsand met of sonder gips. Gips was toegedien teen 4t/ha. Een jaar nadat behandelinge toegedien was, is boontjies geoes en mieles was die daaropvolgende jaar geoes. Opbrengs, wortel lengte blaar- en grondontledings was uitgevoer om effektiwiteit te evalueer. Die effek van die behandelinge op indikatore van grondvrugbaarheid soos pH, uitruilbare suurheid, Ca en Mg was ondersoek. Resultate dui daarop dat alle kalkmateriale die grond se voedingstof- en basisstatus, bogrond pH asook gewasopbreng verhoog het. Calmasil was die beste kalkmateriaal in alle opsigte. Vliegas het die pH minimaal verhoog, terwyl dit die uitruilbare suurheid verminder het met 12% en 24% in die eerste en tweede jaar onderskeidelik. Vliegas het bogrond Ca vlakke vanaf 74 tot 102mg/kg vermeer, sowel as ondergrond Ca vanaf 61 tot 114mg/kg. Bogrond Mg was vermeer vanaf 7.3 tot 16mg/kg, asook ondergrond Mg vanaf 9.4 tot 13 mg/kg. Die gevolg van hierdie verhoogde voedingstowwe was die toename van Ca en Mg in die blare van die gewasse. Die beduidende toename in opbrengste van boontjies vanaf 958 tot 1724mg/kg en mielies vanaf 5569 tot 7553kg/ha na die toediening van vliegas vergelyk goed met die resultate van kalk en Calmasil. Dit is gedeeltelik toe te skryf aan die teenwoordigheid van addisionele plantvoedingstowwe soos P en K in vliegas. Oplossingstudies van vliegas dui op die teenwoordigheid van mikrovoedingstowwe soos B, Co, Cu, Fe, Mo, Mn en Zn. Aanvanklike data wys dat daar relatief min kommer oor swaarmetaal akkumulasie in gewasse is. Alhoewel 4t/ha gips geen effek op pH gehad het nie, en ondergondrondse suurheid minimaal verminder het, het ondergrondse Ca en gevolglik suurversadiging heelwat verbeter. Dit mag moontlik as verduideliking dien vir die oorhoofse voordelige effek van gips op mielie opbrengste, wat verhoog het met ‘n gemiddelde 1071kg/ha. Oorvleuende omstandighede het daartoe gelei dat geen konkrete afleidings gemaak kon word oor die wortel lengte van die mielies nie. Hierdie veldproef bevestig dat vliegas as ‘n effektiewe kalkmateriaal gebruik kan word en goed vergelyk met tradisionele kalkmateriale.