COMPARATIVE METAGENOMIC PROFILING OF SOIL MICROBIOMES IN LOW AND HIGH YIELDING COCOA TREES ASSOCIATED WITH FARM MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
Authors: Rahman M. Z. A, Norasekin T., Ishak Z., Lea J., Roslina M.S., and Fisal A.
Journal Issue: Malaysian Cocoa Journal, Volume 15(2)/2023
Keywords: Metagenomics, soil microbiome, farm management.
Published On: 27/10/2023
Abstract
Soil microbial communities or microbiomes, comprise a large portion of life’s genetic diversity, acting as important regulators of cocoa trees productivity and growth. In this study, comparative metagenomics was performed in order to determine the relationship between the microbial diversity associated with yield and farm management practices. The findings indicate that farm management practices have a significant effect in shaping the structure of microbial communities. The properly managed cocoa farms have higher microbial diversity compared to abandoned farms. Moreover, in this study, we have demonstrated that cocoa trees with higher yield will have higher microbial diversity in contrast with low yield trees. Agricultural management practice is one of the important factors in determining the microbial community structure and proper farm management not only affect the production and yield but will promote diversification of favourable microbial community for enhancing crop productivity and global ecosystem health.