Molecular Soil Biology 2026, Vol.17, No.1, 38-50 http://bioscipublisher.com/index.php/msb 46 Furthermore, extended monoculture led to reductions in beneficial microbes including Bacillus and Sphingomonas genera known for nutrient cycling and pathogen suppression, while pathogenic fungi antagonistic to plant health became more abundant (Chen et al., 2022). These microbial shifts were linked to observed decreases in enzyme activities related to nutrient turnover and overall soil quality deterioration. The study underscores the importance of managing continuous cropping duration alongside soil amendments or crop rotations to mitigate negative impacts on the soil microbiome and sustain greenhouse cucumber productivity. 7 Strategies for Alleviating Continuous Cropping Obstacles and Microbial Regulation 7.1 Application of bio-organic fertilizers and microbial inoculants Bio-organic fertilizers and microbial inoculants have emerged as effective tools to mitigate continuous cropping obstacles by enhancing soil fertility and restoring beneficial microbial communities. These amendments supply organic matter and introduce beneficial microbes such as Bacillus, Trichoderma, and nitrogen-fixing bacteria, which improve nutrient cycling, suppress soil-borne pathogens, and promote plant growth. Studies on cowpea demonstrated that treatments with microbial agents increased soil organic matter, nitrate nitrogen, and potassium content while enriching beneficial bacterial taxa like Bradyrhizobium, leading to improved crop yield and quality (Zhu et al., 2025). Similarly, biochar-based organic fertilizers have been shown to increase microbial diversity and the abundance of beneficial genera such as Arthrobacter and Pseudomonas, while reducing harmful fungi like Fusarium, thereby alleviating continuous cropping stress in tobacco soils (Chen et al., 2025). The mechanisms underlying these benefits include enhanced microbial network complexity and stability, which support resilient soil ecosystems capable of resisting pathogen invasion. Bio-organic amendments also improve soil physicochemical properties such as pH and nutrient availability, creating a more favorable environment for microbial proliferation (Hu et al., 2025). The combined effects of nutrient enrichment and microbial community regulation contribute to improved plant health and productivity under continuous cropping systems. Thus, integrating bio-organic fertilizers with targeted microbial inoculants represents a promising strategy for sustainable greenhouse cucumber production. 7.2 Crop rotation, intercropping, and soil improvement measures Crop rotation and intercropping are well-established agronomic practices that alleviate continuous cropping obstacles by diversifying root exudates and disrupting pathogen life cycles. Rotation systems have been shown to enhance soil nutrient levels-including organic matter, ammonium nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium-and increase enzyme activities critical for nutrient cycling such as acid phosphatase and β-glucosidase (Chen et al., 2025). These improvements correlate with shifts in rhizosphere microbial communities toward higher abundances of beneficial bacteria (e.g., Actinobacteria) and fungi (e.g., Basidiomycota), which suppress pathogens like Fusarium responsible for wilt diseases. Intercropping similarly promotes microbial diversity by providing varied carbon sources that sustain a broader range of microorganisms. Soil improvement measures including the application of biochar or specialized soil conditioners further support these practices by enhancing soil structure, moisture retention, and nutrient availability. Biochar amendments derived from agricultural residues can increase pH, organic matter content, available potassium, and sulfur in continuous cropping soils while promoting beneficial microbes such as Sphingomonas and Bacillus (Hu et al., 2025). These combined approaches create a more balanced soil ecosystem that resists degradation caused by monoculture cropping. Therefore, integrating crop diversification with targeted soil amendments is essential for maintaining healthy microbial communities in greenhouse systems. 7.3 Application prospects of microecological regulation in greenhouse agriculture Microecological regulation-manipulating the soil microbiome to optimize plant-soil interactions-holds great promise for overcoming continuous cropping challenges in greenhouse agriculture. Advances in synthetic microbiology enable the design of tailored microbial consortia that enhance nutrient acquisition, disease resistance, and stress tolerance by reshaping the native soil community structure. For example, plants can recruit specific growth-promoting bacteria through root exudates containing metabolites like nobiletin that stimulate beneficial microbes producing phytohormones such as indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), thereby improving root development under continuous cropping stress (Haiyan et al., 2025).
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