Rhizospheric bacterial community dynamics in 3‐year field trials under organic and conventional farming practices

Abstract Modern agricultural practices, including conventional and organic farming, play pivotal roles in food production. Conventional farming focuses on maximizing short‐term yields through intensive technology, potentially compromising soil health and biodiversity. In contrast, organic farming emphasizes ecological balance and soil health through natural inputs, enhancing microbial diversity and promoting sustainable crop yields. Current study investigated the influence of these practices on rhizospheric bacterial communities of wheat ( Triticum aestivum ) as a model crop. Field experiments were conducted over three consecutive years to capture the cumulative effects of these management practices on rhizospheric bacterial diversity and abundance, using quantitative polymerase chain reaction and crop productivity indices. Results showed that conventional farming consistently outperformed, with increased grain (4.73–5.58 t/ha), straw (7.42–8.55 t/ha), and biological (12.16–14.26 t/ha) yields compared to organic systems (4.12–4.57, 6.79–7.04, and 10.91–11.93 t/ha, respectively). However, within organic practices, treatments utilizing leaf biocompost consistently outperformed those using farmyard manure over the 3‐year study period. Analysis of rhizospheric bacterial abundance revealed that organic farming modules generally supported higher bacterial populations compared to conventional farming. Specifically, β‐Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria showed increased abundance under organic treatments, suggesting their responsiveness to organic management practices. Conversely, α‐Proteobacteria were more prevalent in conventional treatments, while Firmicutes were notably enriched in manure‐treated organic module (ORG1) and CON1, which included application of 50% of the recommended nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK) fertilizer dose. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for optimizing agricultural sustainability and productivity. This research highlights how farming practices shape rhizospheric bacterial communities, influencing wheat health and yield.