Shotgun Sequencing Revealed the Microbiota of Zea mays Rhizosphere of a Former Grassland and an Intensively Cultivated Agricultural Land

Land use is a major factor contributing to the differences in soil microbial assemblages. Despite the importance of microbial communities on crop health and productivity, a knowledge gap exists on the effects of land use change on microbial functions in the rhizosphere. Land use is a major factor contributing to the differences in soil microbial assemblages. Despite the importance of microbial communities on crop health and productivity, a knowledge gap exists on the effects of land use change on microbial functions in the rhizosphere. This data set presents the metagenomic data from two maize fields in South Africa with different agricultural histories. It provides an opportunity for modeling microbes with beneficial functions that could enhance crop productivity.