Effect of reductive soil disinfestation on soil properties and microbial communities of ginseng cultivated soils, and assessment of its sterilizing effect

Abstract

Aims Reductive soil disinfestation (RSD) has been shown to restructure soil microbial communities and suppress soil-borne diseases. However, the effect of RSD on the chemical and microbial properties of ginseng cultivated soils has been little studied. Methods Ginseng cultivated soils in the ginseng genuine medicinal material producing area of China were used for field experiments using RSD with corn stover and bean dregs as substrates. RSD-treated soil chemical and microbial properties were evaluated using chemical analysis and high-throughput sequencing techniques. Results RSD significantly changed soil chemical properties as well as soil microbial community composition and structure and decreased the relative abundance of the pathogenic Fusarium genus. Moreover, the efficacy of RSD treatment based on different substrates varied widely, and RSD with bean dregs as substrate had a greater effect on microbial communities and a stronger sterilizing effect. In the next transplanting experiments, ginseng in the RSD-treated soil grew in better condition and with lower incidence and severity of disease. conclusion Our study highlights the potential of RSD as an effective method for soil amendment of ginseng cultivation. Its effects on nutrient and material cycling in ginseng cultivated soils need further exploration.