Impact of Straw Incorporation on the Physicochemical Profile and Fungal Ecology of Saline–Alkaline Soil

Abstract

Improving the soil structure and fertility of saline–alkali land is a major issue in establishing a sustainable agro-ecosystem. To explore the potential of different straw returning in improving saline–alkaline land, we utilized native saline–alkaline soil (SCK), wheat straw-returned saline–alkaline soil (SXM) and rapeseed straw-returned saline–alkaline soil (SYC) as our research objects. Soil physicochemical properties, fungal community structure and diversity of saline–alkaline soils were investigated in different treatments at 0–10 cm, 10–20 cm and 20–30 cm soil depths. The results showed that SXM and SYC reduced soil pH and total salinity but increased soil organic matter, alkali-hydrolyzable nitrogen, available phosphorus, total potassium, etc., and the enhancement effect of SYC was more significant. The total salinity of the 0–10 cm SCK soil layer was much higher than that of the 10–30 cm soil layers. Fungal diversity and abundance were similar in different soil layers in the same treatment. SXM and SYC soil had higher fungal diversity and abundance than SCK. At the genus level, Plectosphaerella, Mortierella and Ascomycota were the dominant groups of fungal communities in SXM and SYC. The fungal diversity and abundance in SXM and SYC soils were higher than in SCK soils. Correlation network analysis of fungal communities with environmental factors showed that organic matter, alkali-hydrolyzable nitrogen and available phosphorus were the main environmental factors for the structural composition of fungal communities of Mortierella, Typhula, Wickerhamomyces, Trichosporon and Candida. In summary, straw returning to the field played an effective role in improving saline–alkaline land, improving soil fertility, affecting the structure and diversity of the fungal community and changing the interactions between microorganisms.

Promotion of Maize Straw Degradation Rate by Altering Microbial Community Structure through the Addition of Soybean Straw

“…White rot fungi in Basidiomycota possess a distinctive capability to break down lignin and lignocellulosic complexes (Zhao et al, 2019). Consistent with the ndings of this study, Ma et al (2024) examined the impact of straw on soil physicochemical properties and fungal community diversity. Their investigation demonstrated an increase in the relative abundance of Ascomycota following the application of straw.…”

Interaction between soils physicochemical properties and fungal communities in different Tunisian agroecosystems

“…In contrast, available phosphorus only correlated positively with 12 fungal species (Billah et al, 2019). These ndings, along with those of Ma et al (2024), suggest that environmental factors like organic matter, total nitrogen, and available phosphorus promote the growth and reproduction of diverse fungal communities, whereas pH acts as a potential inhibitor for many microbial taxa. Notably, variations in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium availability are crucial for microbial development and reproduction (Billah et al, 2019).…”

“…In conclusion, the interplay between environmental factors and microbial communities is complex. These factors can directly and indirectly in uence the composition and development of microbial communities, impacting nutrient cycling and overall soil quality (Ma et al, 2024).…”

“…In the intricate tapestry of terrestrial ecosystems, soil stands as the paramount habitat for myriad microorganisms essential to ecosystem function, imparting dynamism and biodiversity (Guo et al, 2020). Fungi, among these organisms, hold a pivotal role, in facilitating nutrient cycling, organic matter decomposition, and plant symbiosis (Bodenhausen et al, 2023;Ma et al, 2024). Therefore, understanding the factors shaping fungal communities within soil environments is paramount for elucidating biological processes and re ning soil management practices (Fierer, 2017;Diao et al, 2021).…”