Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Intercropping in Sugarcane Cultivation Influenced the Soil Properties and Enhanced the Diversity of Vital Diazotrophic Bacteria

  • Research Article
  • Published:
Sugar Tech Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Soil survey was conducted at four different locations of Guangxi, China to investigate the effect of peanut and soybean inter-cropping in sugarcane cultivation on the soil properties and diazotrophic bacterial diversity. Principal component analysis result shown (PCA) showed difference impact of intercropping and monoculture on the basis of biological and chemical properties of soil. Two-way analysis of variance of soil properties showed a significant interactive effect with locations and cultivation systems. Microbial enumeration results demonstrated that intercropping system enhanced the diazotrophic population. After isolation of diazotrophs, 21 selected bacteria were characterized by siderophore, phosphate, indole acetic acid, 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) deaminase and nitrogenase assay. Among the identified bacteria, isolate MYSP104 showed maximum nitrogenase activity and isolate MYSS78 showed maximum ACC deaminase activity. Partial 16S rRNA gene sequencing results classified these diazotrophs in six phyla (Firmicutes, α, β, Υ-proteobacteria, actinobacteria and bacteroidetes). Diazotrophs such as Bacillus tequilensis, Variovorax paradoxus, Acidovorax facilis, Leucobacter aridicollis, Streptomyces fimicarius and Pseudomonas nitroreducens were reported for the first time from the sugarcane rhizosphere of Guangxi, China. Venn diagram explained that seven bacterial species (Brevibacterium, Burkholderia, Delftia, Leucobacter, Pseudomonas, Sinorhizobium and Variovorax) were recognized with soybean and sugarcane intercropping cultivation systems. This study concluded that intercropping system could enhance the population of N-fixers in soil. Soybean intercropping influenced the soil chemical and biological properties better than peanut. Moreover, the isolated diazotrophs need further characterization and they might be utilized as bio-inoculums for commercial sugarcane production in the future.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Ando, S., M. Goto, S. Meunchang, P. Thongra, T. Fujiwara, H. Hayashi, and H. Yoneyama. 2005. Detection of new sequences in sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) and pineapple (Ananas cornosus [L.] Merr.). Soil Science and Plant Nutrition 51(2): 303–308.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ashby, S.F. 1907. Some observations on the assimilation of atmospheric nitrogen by a free living soil organism-Azotobacter chroococcum of Beijerinck. Journal of Agriculture Sciences 2: 35–51.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Belimov, A.A., I.C. Dodd, N. Hontzeas, J.C. Theobald, V.I. Safronova, and W.J. Davies. 2009. Rhizosphere bacteria containing 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate deaminase increase yield of plants grown in drying soil via both local and systemic hormone signaling. New Phytologist 181: 413–423.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Boddy, R.M., S. Urquiaga, B.J.R. Alves, and V. Reis. 2003. Endophytic nitrogen fixation in sugarcane: present knowledge and future applications. Plant and Soil 252: 139–149.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bradford, M.M. 1976. A rapid and sensitive method for the quantitation of microgram quantities of protein utilizing the principle of protein-dye binding. Analytical Biochemistry 72: 248–254.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Byrnes, B.H., and A. Amberger. 1989. Fate of broadcast urea in a flooded soil when treated with N-(nbutyl) thiophospheric triamide, a urease inhibitor. Fertilizer Research 18: 221–231.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Castro-González, R., L. Martínez-Aguilar, A. Ramírez-Trujillo, P. Estrada-de los Santos, and J. Caballero-Mellado. 2011. High diversity of culturable Burkholderia species associated with sugarcane. Plant and Soil 345: 155–169.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ding, Y., J. Wang, Y. Liu, and S. Chen. 2005. Isolation and identification of nitrogen-fixing bacilli from plant rhizospheres in Beijing region. Journal of Applied Microbiology 99: 1271–1281.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dworkin, M., and J. Foster. 1958. Experiments with some microorganisms which utilize ethane and hydrogen. Journal of Bacteriology 75: 592–601.

    CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Edwards, U., T.H. Rogall, H. Blocker, M. Emde, and E.C. Bottger. 1989. Isolation and direct complete nucleotide determination of entire genes. Characterization of a gene coding for 16S ribosomal RNA. Nucleic Acids Research 17: 7843–7853.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Elkoca, E., F. Kantar, and F. Sahin. 2007. Influence of nitrogen fixing and phosphorus solubilizing bacteria on the nodulation, plant growth, and yield of chickpea. Journal of Plant Nutrition 31: 157–171.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Garside, A.L., M.J. Bell, B.G. Robotham, R.C. Magarey, and G.R. Stirling. 2005. Managing yield decline in sugarcane cropping systems. International Sugar Journal 107(1273): 16–26.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gatson, J.W., B.F. Benz, C. Chandrasekaran, M. Satomi, K. Venkateswaran, and M.E. Hart. 2006. Bacillus tequilensis sp. nov., isolated from a 2000-year-old Mexican shaft-tomb, is closely related to Bacillus subtilis. International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology 56: 1475–1484.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gordon, S.A., and L.G. Paleg. 1957. Quantitative measurement of IAA. Plant Physiology 10: 37–38.

    Google Scholar 

  • Han, J., L. Sun, X. Dong, Z. Cai, X. Sun, H. Yang, Y. Wang, and W. Song. 2005. Characterization of a novel plant growth-promoting bacteria strain Delftia tsuruhatensis HR4 both as a diazotroph and a potential biocontrol agent against various plant pathogens. Systematic and Applied Microbiology 28(1): 66–76.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hardy, R.W.F., R.D. Holsten, E.K. Jackson, and R.C. Burns. 1968. The acetylene-ethylene assay for N2 fixation: Laboratory and field evaluation. Plant Physiology 43: 1185–1207.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Hartemink, A.E. 2010. Growing sugarcane for bioenergy-effects on the soil. 19th World Congress of Soil Science, Soil Solutions for a Changing World. Brisbane, Australia.

  • Herridge, D.F., M.B. Peoples, and R.M. Boddey. 2008. Global inputs of biological nitrogen fixation in agricultural systems. Plant and Soil 311: 1–18.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kaushal, M., and R. Kaushal. 2015. Acetylene reductase activity and molecular characterization of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria to know efficacy in integrated nutrient management system. Indian Journal of Biotechnology 14: 221–227.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kumar, B.M., S.S. Kumar, and R.F. Fisher. 1998. Intercropping teak with Leucaena increases tree growth and modifies soil characteristics. Agroforestry Systems 42: 81–89.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ali, S.Z., V. Sandhya, and L.V. Rao. 2014. Isolation and characterization of drought-tolerant ACC deaminase and exopolysaccharide producing fluorescent Pseudomonas sp. Annals of Microbiology 64: 493–502.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ladd, J.N., and R.B. Jackson. 1982. In Nitrogen in agricultural soils, ed. F.J. Stevenson, 173–228. WI: American Society of Agronomy.

    Google Scholar 

  • Li, X., Y. Mu, Y. Cheng, X. Liu, and H. Nian. 2013. Effects of intercropping sugarcane and soybean on growth, rhizosphere soil microbes, nitrogen and phosphorus availability. Acta Physiology and Plant 35: 1113–1119.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Li, Y.R., X.Z. Zhou, and L.T. Yang. 2015a. Biological nitrogen fixation in sugarcane and nitrogen transfer from sugarcane to cassava in an intercropping system. International Journal of Science and Nature 6(2): 214–218.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Li, Y.R., and L.T. Yang. 2015. Sugarcane agriculture and sugar industry in China. Sugar Tech 17(1): 1–8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li, Z., L. Chen, Z. Bai, D. Wang, L. Gao, and B. Huia. 2015b. Cultivable bacterial diversity and amylase production in two typical light-flavor Daqus of Chinese spirits. Frontiers in Life Science 8: 264–270.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lin, L., W. Guo, Y. Xing, X. Zhang, Z. Li, C. Hu, S. Li, Y. Li, and Q. An. 2012a. The actinobacterium Microbacterium sp. 16SH accepts pBBR1-based pPROBE vectors, forms biofilms, invades roots, and fixes N2 associated with micropropagated sugarcane plants. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology 93(3): 1185–1195.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lin, L., Z. Li, C. Hu, X. Zhang, S. Chang, L. Yang, Y. Li, and Q. An. 2012b. Plant growth-promoting nitrogen-fixing enterobacteria are in association with sugarcane plants growing in Guangxi, China. Microbes and Environments 27(4): 391–398.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Mehnaz, S., B. Weselowski, F.A. Mufti, S. Zahid, G. Lazarovits, and J. Iqbal. 2009. Isolation, characterization and effect of fluorescent pseudomonads on micropropagated sugarcane. Canadian Journal of Microbiology 55: 1007–1011.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mehnaz, S., D.N. Baig, and G. Lazarovits. 2010a. Genetic and phenotypic diversity of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria isolated from sugarcane plants growing in Pakistan. Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology 20: 1614–1623.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mehnaz, S., T. Kowalik, B. Reynolds, and G. Lazarovits. 2010b. Growth promoting effects of corn (Zea mays) bacterial isolates under greenhouse and field conditions. Soil Biology and Biochemistry 42: 1848–1856.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mucheru-Muna, M., P. Pypers, D. Mugendi, J. Kung’u, J. Mugwe, R. Merckx, and B. Vanlauwe. 2010. A staggered maize–legume intercrop arrangement robustly increases crop yields and economic returns in the highlands of central kenya. Field Crops Research 115: 132–139.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nelson, D.R., and P.M. Mele. 2006. The impact of crop residue amendments and lime on microbial community structure and nitrogen-fixing bacteria in the wheat rhizosphere. Australian Journal Soil Research 44: 319–329.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nannipieri, P., P. Sequi, and P. Fusi. 1996. Humus and enzyme activity. In Humic substances in terrestrial ecosystems, ed. A. Piccolo, 293–328. New York: Elsevier.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Ouma, G. 2009. Intercropping and its application to banana production in East Africa: A review. Journal of Plant Breeding and Crop Science 1: 13–15.

    Google Scholar 

  • Parsons, M.J. 2003. Successful intercropping of Sugarcane. Proceedings of South African Sugarcane Technologists Association 7: 77–98.

    Google Scholar 

  • Patil, H.J., Solanki, M.K. 2016. Microbial inoculant: Modern era of fertilizers and pesticides. Microbial inoculates in sustainable agriculture productivity Vol 1, Research prospective, ed. Singh, D.P., Bahadur, H., Ratna, P. Springer. pp 319–343: DOI 10.1007/978-81-322-2647-5_19.

  • Peng, D.H., Y.B. Yang, J. Li, Y.X. Xing, L.D. Qin, L.T. Yang, and Y.R. Li. 2014. Effects of intercropping with soybean on bacterial and nitrogen-fixing bacterial diversity in the rhizosphere of sugarcane. Chinese Journal of Plant Ecology 38(9): 959–969.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pikovskaya, R.I. 1948. Mobilization of phosphorus in soil in connection with vital activity of some microbial species. Mikrobiologiya 17: 362–370.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Robertson, G.P., and P.M. Vitousek. 2009. Nitrogen in agriculture: Balancing the cost of an essential resource. Annual Review of Environment and Resources 34: 97–125.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rusinamhodzi, L., M. Corbeels, J. Nyamangara, and K.E. Giller. 2012. Maize-grain legume intercropping is an attractive option for ecological intensification that reduces climatic risk for smallholder farmers in central mozambique. Field Crops Research 136: 12–22.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Saitou, N., and M. Nei. 1987. The neighbor-joining method: a new method for reconstructing phylogenetic trees. Molecular Biology and Evolution 4: 406–425.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sambrook J, D.W. Russell. 2001. Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual. 3rd ed. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press; New York

  • Schmid, M., and A. Hartmann. 2003. Molecular phylogeny and ecology of root associated diazotrophic and probacteria. In Associative and Endophytic Nitrogen-Fixing Bacteria and Cyanobacterial Association, ed. C. Elmerich, and W.E. Newton, 21–40. Dordrecht: Kluwer Academic Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schwyn, B., and J.B. Neilands. 1987. Universal chemical assay for the detection and determination of siderophores. Analytical Biochemistry 160: 47–56.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Siddikee, M.A., P.S. Chauhan, R. Anandham, G.H. Han, and S. Tongmin. 2010. Isolation, characterization, and use for plant growth promotion under salt stress, of ACC Deaminase-producing halotolerant bacteria derived from coastal soil. Journal of Microbiology Biotechnology 20(11): 1577–1584.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Singh, J., and D.K. Singh. 2005. Dehydrogenase and phosphomonoesterase activities in groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) field after diazinon, imidacloprid and lindane treatments. Chemosphere 60: 32–42.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Solanki, M.K., R.K. Singh, S. Srivastava, S. Kumar, A.K. Srivastava, P.L. Kashyap, and D.K. Arora. 2014. Isolation and characterizations of siderophore producing rhizobacteria against Rhizoctonia solani. Journal of Basic Microbiology 54(6): 585–597.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Song, B., and B.B. Ward. 2003. Nitrite reductase genes in halobenzoate degrading denitrifying bacteria. FEMS Microbiology Ecology 43: 349–357.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, X.H., L. Ou, L.L. Fu, S. Zheng, J.D. Lou, J. Gomes-Laranjo, J. Li, and C. Zhang. 2013. Detoxification of Jatrophacurcas kernel cake by a novel Streptomyces fimicarius strain. Journal of Hazardous Materials 260: 238–246.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, Z.G., X. Jin, X.G. Bao, X.F. Li, J.H. Zhao, J.H. Sun, P. Christie, and L. Li. 2014. Intercropping enhances productivity and maintains the most soil fertility properties relative to sole cropping. PLoS ONE. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0113984.

    Google Scholar 

  • Xia, H.Y., Z.G. Wang, J.H. Zhao, J.H. Sun, X.G. Bao, P. Christiea, F.S. Zhanga, and L. Li. 2013. Contribution of interspecific interactions and phosphorus application to sustainable and productive intercropping systems. Field Crops Research 154: 53–64.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xing, Y., L. Yang, S. Huang, and Y. Li. 2006. A new nitrogen fixing endo-bacterium strain isolated from sugarcane stem. Proceedings of International Symposium on Technologies to improve Sugar Productivity in Developing Countries, Guilin, P.R. China, China Agricultural Science, Beijing, China, pp 487-490.

  • Xing, Y.X., C.Y. Wei, Y. Mo, L.T. Yang, S.L. Huang, and Y.R. Li. 2015. Nitrogen-fixing and plant growth-promoting ability of two endophytic bacterial strains isolated from sugarcane stalks. Sugar Tech. doi:10.1007/s12355-015-0397-7.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, F.S., and L. Li. 2003. Using competitive and facilitative interactions in intercropping systems enhances crop productivity and nutrient-use efficiency. Structure and functioning of cluster roots and plant responses to phosphate deficiency. Springer: 305–312.

  • Zomer, R.J., A. Trabucco, R. Coe, F. Place. 2009. Trees on farm: Analysis of global extent and geographical patterns of agroforestry. ICRAF Working Paper no 89. Nairobi, Kenya: World Agroforestry Centre.

Download references

Acknowledgments

This present study was supported by the grants from the National High Technology Research and Development Program ("863" Program) of China (2013AA102604), National Natural Science Foundation of China (31171504, 31101122, 31471449), Guangxi Special Funds for Bagui Scholars’ and Distinguished Experts (2013), Guangxi Natural Science Foundation (2011GXNSFF018002, 2012GXNSFDA053011, 2013NXNSFAA019073) and Guangxi Academy of Agriculture Sciences Fund (GNK2014YD01, GNKB2014021).

Author information

Author notes

    Authors and Affiliations

    1. Guangxi Crop Genetic Improvement and Biotechnology Lab, Guangxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanning, 530007, Guangxi, China

      Manoj Kumar Solanki, Fei-Yong Wang, Chang-Ning Li, Tao-Ju Lan & Yang-Rui Li

    2. Guangxi Key Laboratory of Sugarcane Genetic Improvement, Key Laboratory of Sugarcane Biotechnology and Genetic Improvement (Guangxi), Ministry of Agriculture, Sugarcane Research Institute, Guangxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Sugarcane Research Center, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanning, 530007, Guangxi, China

      Fei-Yong Wang, Chang-Ning Li & Yang-Rui Li

    3. State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bio Resources, Agricultural College, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530005, Guangxi, China

      Zhen Wang, Fei-Yong Wang, Rajesh Kumar Singh, Pratiksha Singh & Li-Tao Yang

    Authors
    1. Manoj Kumar Solanki
      View author publications

      You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

    2. Zhen Wang
      View author publications

      You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

    3. Fei-Yong Wang
      View author publications

      You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

    4. Chang-Ning Li
      View author publications

      You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

    5. Tao-Ju Lan
      View author publications

      You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

    6. Rajesh Kumar Singh
      View author publications

      You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

    7. Pratiksha Singh
      View author publications

      You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

    8. Li-Tao Yang
      View author publications

      You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

    9. Yang-Rui Li
      View author publications

      You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

    Corresponding authors

    Correspondence to Li-Tao Yang or Yang-Rui Li.

    Ethics declarations

    Conflict of interest

    No conflict of interest declared.

    Additional information

    Manoj Kumar Solanki and Zhen Wang contributed equally to the work.

    Electronic supplementary material

    Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.

    Supplementary material 1 (DOCX 22 kb)

    Rights and permissions

    Reprints and permissions

    About this article

    Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

    Cite this article

    Solanki, M.K., Wang, Z., Wang, FY. et al. Intercropping in Sugarcane Cultivation Influenced the Soil Properties and Enhanced the Diversity of Vital Diazotrophic Bacteria. Sugar Tech 19, 136–147 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12355-016-0445-y

    Download citation

    • Received:

    • Accepted:

    • Published:

    • Issue Date:

    • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12355-016-0445-y

    Keywords

    Search

    Navigation