New Insights from Soil Microorganisms for Sustainable Double Rice-Cropping System with 37-Year Manure Fertilization

Abstract

Long-term intensive use of mineral fertilizers in double rice-cropping systems has led to soil acidification and soil degradation. Manure fertilization was suggested as an alternative strategy to mitigate soil degradation. However, the effects of long-term mineral and manure fertilization on rice grain yield, yield stability, soil organic carbon (SOC) content, soil total nitrogen (TN) content, and the underlying mechanisms are unclear. Based on a long-term experiment established in 1981 in southern China, we compared four treatments: no fertilizer application (Control); application of nitrogen–phosphorus–potassium (NPK); NPK plus green manure in early rice (M1); and M1 plus farmyard manure in late rice and rice straw return in winter (M2). Our results showed that 37 years of NPK, M1, and M2 significantly increased rice grain yield by 54%, 46%, and 72%, and yield stability by 22%, 17%, and 9%, respectively. M1 and M2 significantly increased SOC content by 39% and 23% compared to Control, respectively, whereas there was no difference between Control and NPK. Regarding soil TN content, it was significantly increased by 8%, 46%, and 20% by NPK, M1, and M2, respectively. In addition, M2 significantly increased bacterial OTU richness by 68%, Chao1 index by 79%, and altered the bacterial community composition. Changes in soil nutrient availability and bacterial Simpson index were positively correlated with the changes in grain yield, while shifts in bacterial community were closely related to yield stability. This study provides pioneer comprehensive assessments of the simultaneous responses of grain yield, yield stability, SOC and TN content, nutrient availability, and bacterial community composition to long-term mineral and manure fertilization in a double rice-cropping system. Altogether, this study spanning nearly four decades provides new perspectives for developing sustainable yet intensive rice cultivation to meet growing global demands.

Improving grain yield and nitrogen use efficiency of direct‐seeded rice with simplified and nitrogen‐reduced practices under a double‐cropping system in South China

“…In addition, external fertilizer inputs improve microbial community composition due to the increase in soil nutrient availability and the bacterial Simpson index, thus increasing rice grain yield. The mechanisms underlying improvements in the microbial community composition in SNRP with 60% of the nitrogen fertilizer applied at panicle initiation will be investigated further 43 . Solar radiation is the main factor limiting rice growth and grain yield.…”

“…The mechanisms underlying improvements in the microbial community composition in SNRP with 60% of the nitrogen fertilizer applied at panicle initiation will be investigated further. 43 Solar radiation is the main factor limiting rice growth and grain yield. Higher radiation use efficiency is associated with higher incident solar radiation and higher intercepted solar radiation by the rice canopy.…”

Soil Microbial Biomass and Bacterial Diversity Enhanced through Fallow Cover Cropping in Rice–Fish Coculture

“…Previous studies have highlighted that cover crops may secure soil available nutrients by forming and stabilizing macroaggregates as well as by reducing soil nutrients leaching [33][34][35]. Additionally, various cover crop species may offer distinct qualities of C and N resources, resulting in discrepancies in supporting microbial growth, proliferation, and metabolic activity [36][37][38][39]. Soil C sequestration is facilitated alongside N promotion due to heightened microbial activity in the rhizosphere of A. sinicus.…”

Fertilization as the most critical factor affecting yield response and agronomic efficiency of phosphorus in Chinese rice production: evidence from multi‐location field trials

“…4,5 The excessive accumulation of unabsorbed P in soil-P reservoirs can lead to significant soil degradation and nonpoint pollution. 6,7 Therefore, developing an optimal fertilizer-P management strategy for increased fertilizer use efficiency and reduced environmental pollution in rice production is crucial.…”

“…In China, the total P input to rice fields accounts for 14.8% of the total fertilizer‐P consumption, with only 13.1% of the applied P taken up by plants in the growing season 4,5 . The excessive accumulation of unabsorbed P in soil‐P reservoirs can lead to significant soil degradation and non‐point pollution 6,7 . Therefore, developing an optimal fertilizer‐P management strategy for increased fertilizer use efficiency and reduced environmental pollution in rice production is crucial.…”