Molecular Soil Biology 2025, Vol.16, No.5, 255-264 http://bioscipublisher.com/index.php/msb 262 8.4 Climate change interactions with soil pH dynamics Climate change can affect soil pH and nutrient cycling, such as changes in precipitation patterns and extreme weather. Global research has found that when the annual precipitation is greater than evapotranspiration, the soil pH may suddenly change from alkaline to acidic (Slessarev et al., 2016). However, in the main production areas of bayberries, there is still a lack of targeted research on how climate change affects the dynamics of soil pH and how it acts on the growth of bayberries and the orchard ecosystem. In the future, it is necessary to combine climate models with field monitoring to reveal the relationship among climate, soil and crops, and provide a scientific basis for adaptive management. 9 Conclusion In recent years, the bayberry industry has encountered two major problems: soil acidification and the disease of decline. Research has found that soil pH is a key factor in determining whether bayberries can grow well, whether the yield is high, and whether the fruit quality is good. Long-term use of chemical fertilizers, coupled with the extension of the orchard's age, will cause the soil pH to gradually decrease, the content of exchangeable aluminum to increase, and the loss of basic nutrients such as calcium, magnesium and potassium. Eventually, it is easy to cause decline disease, making the trees grow poorly and the fruit yield reduced. Generally speaking, the most suitable soil pH for bayberries is between 5.5 and 6.5. If it drops below 4.5, the growth of the tree will be hindered and the quality of the fruit will also decline. There are many ways to regulate soil pH, such as adding humic acid, biochar, organic fertilizer, lime, etc. These measures not only can increase soil pH, but also can increase organic matter, supplement basic nutrients and improve microbial diversity. This can increase the number of beneficial microorganisms, make the composition of rhizosphere metabolites more reasonable, and ultimately make the tree more vigorous and the fruit more nutritious. Companion plants like ryegrass, along with ecological methods such as bio-organic fertilizers, can also improve the soil environment, increase the content of sugar, vitamin C and antioxidants, make the fruit taste better and be more suitable for storage. For growers, it is best to regularly monitor the soil pH and keep it between 5.5 and 6.5 to avoid relying solely on chemical fertilizers for a long time. Organic fertilizers, biochar, lime and other conditioners can be applied alternately, combined with companion plants and bio-organic fertilizers to maintain soil health and improve fruit quality. If the orchard is severely affected by decay disease, it is advisable to prioritize the use of humic acid and biochar to restore the soil and rejuvenate the trees. From the perspective of sustainable development, scientific management of soil pH can not only increase yield and quality, but also enhance the stability and stress resistance of orchard ecosystems. By comprehensively applying various measures such as organic fertilizers, biochar and associated plants, the physical and chemical properties of the soil and the biological environment can be simultaneously improved, helping orchards achieve long-term sustainable development and high-quality production. In the future, more long-term field observations and multi-omics studies will be needed to promote the construction of a more precise, ecologically efficient production system for bayberries. Acknowledgments We extend our sincere gratitude to the anonymous reviewers for their valuable and insightful comments, which have greatly strengthened this paper. Conflict of Interest Disclosure The authors affirm that this research was conducted without any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. References Ahmed T., Shou L., Guo J., Noman M., Qi Y., Yao Y., Masood H., Rizwan M., Ali M., Ali H., Li B., and Qi X., 2024, Modulation of rhizosphere microbial community and metabolites by bio-functionalized nanoscale silicon oxide alleviates cadmium-induced phytotoxicity in bayberry plants, The Science of the Total Environment, 933: 173068. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173068
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