Metabolic potential of the soil microbiome in a 23-year-old, three-factorial field trial

Summary

Soil functions rely on microbial processes, and it is well- known that agricultural management practices shape the taxonomic composition of the soil microbiome. However, there is still a research gap when describing shifts in the underlying functional potential. In 2002, a long-term experiment with the factors tillage (conventional vs. reduced), fertilisation (slurry vs. manure compost with slurry) and biodynamic preparations was set up at the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL, CH) in a three-factorial design. Within the current study, we investigate if and how the factors shape the metabolic potential of the soil microbial community.