Agricultural management impacts rhizosphere microbial community structure and nitrogen cycling

We investigated the interactive effects of agricultural management (conventional vs. organic) and plant selection on microbial community structure and N-cycling functional gene abundance in a maize-tomato rotation. A better understanding of how roots moderate the effects of organic/inorganic N fertilization on bulk soil microbial communities and functions can contribute to the design of sustainable agroecosystems that optimize yields through biologically based nutrient cycling processes.