Different changes of bacterial diversity and soil metabolites in tea plants-legume intercropping systems

Abstract

As an essential agroforestry, intercropping legumes can improve the physical, chemical, and biological fertility of the soil in tea plantations. However, the effects of intercropping different legume species on soil properties, bacterial communities, and metabolites remain elusive. In this study, the 0-20 cm and 20-40 cm soils of three planting patterns (T1: tea plants/mung bean intercropping, T2: tea plants/adzuki bean intercropping, T3: tea plants/mung bean and adzuki bean intercropping) were sampled to explore the diversity of the bacterial community and soil metabolites. The findings showed that, as compared to monocropping, intercropping systems had greater concentrations of organic matter (OM) and dissolved organic carbon (DOC). Notably, pH values were significantly lower, and soil nutrients increased in intercropping systems compared with monoculture in 20-40 cm soils, especially in T3. In addition, intercropping resulted in an increased relative abundance of Proteobacteria but a decreased relative abundance of Actinobacteria. 4-methyl-Tetradecane, acetamide, and diethyl carbamic acid were key metabolites mediating the root–microbe interactions, especially in tea plants/adzuki intercropping and tea plants/mung bean, adzuki bean mixed intercropping soils. Co-occurrence network analysis showed that arabinofuranose, abundant in tea plants and adzuki bean intercropping soils, showed the most remarkable correlation with the soil bacterial taxa. Our findings demonstrate that intercropping with adzuki beans is better at enhancing the diversity of soil bacteria and soil metabolites and is more weed-suppressing than other tea plants/legume intercropping systems.

Intercropping enhances maize growth and nutrient uptake by driving the link between rhizosphere metabolites and microbiomes

“…Previous studies of rhizosphere secretions have observed variations in chemodiversity and composition among plant species, genotypes, and between domesticated and wild species (McLaughlin et al ., 2023; Yue et al ., 2023). Moreover, research on intercropping has indicated that intercropping with leguminous crops can enhance chemodiversity and alter the composition of the rhizosphere metabolites in tea plants (Duan et al ., 2021; S. Wang et al ., 2023). Therefore, the significant effect of intercropping on the chemodiversity and composition of rhizosphere metabolites was closely linked to the introduction of high plant diversity.…”

“…Additionally, the entry of diverse root systems, their secretions and residues, and plant litter into the soil can significantly alter the soil microenvironment and carbon input. Consequently, specific microbial taxa are recruited, modifying the belowground biodiversity and soil ecological functions (S. Wang et al ., 2023; Yue et al ., 2023). Although the effects of high plant diversity on soil microbial diversity and community composition in intercropping systems are well established, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood.…”

Enhancement of Phytoremediation of Heavy Metal Pollution Using an Intercropping System in Moso Bamboo Forests: Characteristics of Soil Organic Matter and Bacterial Communities

“…The peak at 1797 cm −1 is attributed to the C-O stretching of carbonates [30]. The peak at 2930 cm −1 is caused by the aliphatic C-H stretching of methyl groups and methylene [31].…”

Effects of Intercropping and Nitrogen Application on Soil Fertility and Microbial Communities in Peanut Rhizosphere Soil

“…Intercropping is a strategy where two or more crops are planted in close proximity to one another during the same growing season on the same area of land [22]. Intercropping alters land use and the functional and structural characteristics of the soil microbiota [23,24]. Prior studies have demonstrated that the intercropping of corn and peanuts can alter the community composition and diversity of rhizospheric soil microbes associated with these plants while enhancing the abundance of nitrogen-fixing microbial species within the rhizosphere [25][26][27].…”