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Both organic fertilizer and biochar applications enhanced soil nutrition but inhibited cyanobacterial community in paddy soils

Authors :
Xiangbo Zou
Xinyu Jiang
Jinshun Guan
Shaoqiang Huang
Chuangting Chen
Tiancheng Zhou
Cao Kuang
Ji Ye
Tong Liu
Jiong Cheng
Sanxiong Chen
Shiqin Yu
Source :
Frontiers in Environmental Science, Vol 12 (2024)
Publication Year :
2024
Publisher :
Frontiers Media S.A., 2024.

Abstract

Cyanobacteria plays an important role in other ecological processes in paddy soils, particularly in terms of nitrogen input to the ecosystem. Organic fertilizer and biochar are common soil amendment materials used to preserve soil health in agricultural intensification background. However, the consequent increase in soil nutrition may inhibit soil cyanobacteria, therefore decreasing nitrogen fixation and changes other soil processes. To test this hypothesis, we established a 2 × 2 full factorial experiment in a paddy field in South China, which included four treatments: Ctr (control, receiving no organic fertilization or biochar addition), +OF (organic fertilizer application only), +BC (biochar application only), and +Mix (organic fertilizer and biochar applications). The soil cyanobacterial community was analyzed using metagenomics technology, and 14 soil property variables were measured. The results suggested that organic fertilizer was effective in enhancing nutrient levels, leading to a significant increase in extractable and soluble nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. In contrast, biochar application had a stronger effect on total soil carbon, potassium, and soil pH. However, both organic fertilizer and biochar applications induced significant decreases in overall cyanobacterial abundance and species number. Dominant cyanobacterial organisms, particularly the two most abundant genera, Leptolyngbya and Phormidium, experienced a greater decrease compared to others. Canonical correlation analyses and structural equation models indicated that organic fertilizer and biochar applications affected soil cyanobacterial community mainly through soil available nitrogen and pH. In total, the present study highlighted that both organic fertilizer and biochar applications in paddy soils notably change soil physicochemical traits, inhibiting rather than benefiting cyanobacterial microorganisms, especially the dominant ones, and potentially reducing nitrogen input. Our study reveals the impacts of oragnic fertilizer and biochar applications in paddies on soil cyanobacteria and how the consequent changes in soil properties mediate this impact, thereby enhancing our understanding of the responses of different soil microbial groups to soil improvement measures.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
2296665X
Volume :
12
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Frontiers in Environmental Science
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.0736957204482bd2df6865340009d
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2024.1376147