Divergent response of maize and soybean rhizosphere to arbuscular mycorrhiza

Maize and soybean are capable of forming symbiotic relationship with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), which enables the plants to overcome P limitations and resist drought effects. The results indicate that the activities of β-glucosidase, chitinase and acid phosphatase in the rhizosphere were double those in the bulk soil, regardless of plant species. Both soybean and maize demonstrated a decrease in β-glucosidase activity. However, chitinase activity displayed a divergent pattern between the two plant species under AMF influence, with a notable 18.5% increase in maize compared to a substantial 44.8% decrease in soybean. The presence of AMF resulted in a 50% reduction in rhizosphere microbial biomass phosphorus (MBP) in soybean, whereas this effect was not observed in maize. The distinct nutrient demands of each plant species appear to regulate the impact of AMF on the characteristics of microbial activities in the rhizosphere.