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The Natal Giant Cycad (Encephalartos natalensis) Associated Nutrient-cycling Microbes and Enzymes Contribute to Soil Nutrient Inputs and Persistence in Nutrient-poor Disturbed Savanna Woodland Ecosystems
Ndlovu, S.; Suinyuy, T.N.; Pérez-Fernández, M.A.; Magadlela, A. Encephalartos natalensis, Their Nutrient-Cycling Microbes and Enzymes: A Story of Successful Trade-Offs. Plants2023, 12, 1034.
Ndlovu, S.; Suinyuy, T.N.; Pérez-Fernández, M.A.; Magadlela, A. Encephalartos natalensis, Their Nutrient-Cycling Microbes and Enzymes: A Story of Successful Trade-Offs. Plants 2023, 12, 1034.
Ndlovu, S.; Suinyuy, T.N.; Pérez-Fernández, M.A.; Magadlela, A. Encephalartos natalensis, Their Nutrient-Cycling Microbes and Enzymes: A Story of Successful Trade-Offs. Plants2023, 12, 1034.
Ndlovu, S.; Suinyuy, T.N.; Pérez-Fernández, M.A.; Magadlela, A. Encephalartos natalensis, Their Nutrient-Cycling Microbes and Enzymes: A Story of Successful Trade-Offs. Plants 2023, 12, 1034.
Abstract
Encephalartos spp. establish symbioses with nitrogen (N)-fixing bacteria that contribute to soil nutrition and improve plant growth. Despite the Encephalartos mutualistic symbioses with N-fixing bacteria, the identity of other bacteria and their contribution to soil fertility and eco-system functioning are not well understood. This limited information presents a challenge in developing comprehensive conservation and management strategies for these cycad species. Therefore, this study identified the nutrient cycling bacteria in Encephalartos natalensis coral-loid roots, rhizosphere, and non-rhizosphere soils. Additionally, the soil characteristics and soil enzyme activities of the rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere soils were assayed. The coral-loid roots, rhizosphere, and non-rhizosphere soils of E. natalensis were collected from a popu-lation of >500 E. natalensis in a disturbed savanna woodland at Edendale in KwaZulu-Natal (South Africa) for nutrient analysis, bacterial identification, and enzyme activity assays. Nu-trient cycling bacteria such as Lysinibacillus xylanilyticus; Paraburkholderia sabiae, and Novo-sphingobium barchaimii were identified in the coralloid roots, rhizosphere, and non-rhizosphere soils of E. natalensis. Phosphorus (P) cycling (alkaline and acid phosphatase) and N cycling (β-(D)-Glucosaminidase and nitrate reductase) enzyme activities showed a pos-itive correlation with the P and N concentrations in the rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere soils of E. natalensis. Nutrient cycling bacteria identified in E. natalensis coralloid roots, rhizo-sphere, and non-rhizosphere soils and associated enzymes assayed may contribute to soil nu-trient inputs of E. natalensis plants growing in acidic and nutrient-poor savanna woodland ecosystems.
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