The objective of this work was to evaluate the functional and genetic diversity of bacteria associated to the rhizosphere of maize genotypes contrasting for phosphorus use efficiency by means of the EcoPlate carbon source test and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) of amplified 16S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) fragments of bacteria. Rhizosphere soil samples of maize genotypes (hybrids and lineages) contrasting for phosphorus use efficiency cultivated in an Oxisol with high and low P content were collected. Bacteria from the rhizosphere of P-efficient maize genotypes under P stress conditions analyzed by the EcoPlate system tended to group together according to main components analysis, which indicates that these bacteria used similar carbon sources. Microbial diversity analyzed by DGGE did not differ between P-efficient and inefficient maize genotypes. Based on the 16S rDNA fragment sequencing, the rhizosphere of maize genotypes growing on low-P soils seemed to select specific bacteria species. The genetic and metabolic structure of the rhizosphere bacterial community was more strongly influenced by the level of P in the soil than by the genotypes with contrasting P-use efficiency.
Zea mays; phosphorus deficiency; microbial ecology; PCR-DGGE; EcoPlate system
