Molecular Microbiology Research 2024, Vol.14, No.6, 290-297 http://microbescipublisher.com/index.php/mmr 290 Research Report Open Access Co-regulation of Soil Microbial Communities by Straw Incorporation and Fertilizer Application in Maize and Its Impact on Yield LanZhou 1,YanBao1 , JiaenWang2, Shuling Wang 1, Weixin Zhong1, Xiangrui Sun1 1 College of Agriculture, Jilin Agricultural Scienceand Technology University, Jilin, 132101, Jilin, China 2 Meihekou City Farmers'Science and Technology Education Center, Meihekou City, 135000, Jilin, China Corresponding author: baoyan0302@126.com Molecular Microbiology Research, 2024, Vol.14, No.6 doi: 10.5376/mmr.2024.14.0031 Received: 28 Oct., 2024 Accepted: 07 Dec., 2024 Published: 22 Dec., 2024 Copyright © 2024 Zhou et al., This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: Zhou L., Bao Y., Wang J.E., Wang S.L., Zhong W.X., and Sun X.R., 2024, Co-regulation of soil microbial communities by straw incorporation and fertilizer application in maize and its impact on yield, Molecular Microbiology Research, 14(6): 290-297 (doi: 10.5376/mmr.2024.14.0031) Abstract The study investigates the combined effects of straw incorporation and nitrogen (N) fertilization on soil microbial communities and maize yield. Over a multi-year field experiment, various treatments involving different levels of N fertilization and straw incorporation were applied to maize fields. The results demonstrated that straw incorporation significantly enhanced soil enzyme activities, microbial abundance, and diversity, particularly in combination with moderate N fertilization levels. The bacterial and fungal communities showed distinct responses, with Proteobacteria and Basidiomycota being the predominant phyla. The study also found that soil properties such as water content and penetration resistance were crucial in influencing microbial activities. Furthermore, the integration of straw and N fertilization improved soil fertility and maize yield, highlighting the importance of balanced agricultural practices for sustainable crop production. These findings provide valuable insights into optimizing fertilization strategies to enhance soil health and crop productivity. Keywords Soil microbial communities; Straw incorporation; Nitrogen fertilization; Maize yield; Soil enzyme activities 1 Introduction Global agricultural sustainability faces numerous challenges, including soil degradation, loss of biodiversity, and the need to increase crop yields to feed a growing population. Soil health is a critical factor in addressing these challenges, as it directly influences crop productivity and ecosystem stability. The incorporation of straw and the application of fertilizers are two agricultural practices that can significantly impact soil microbial communities, which play a vital role in nutrient cycling and soil fertility. Straw return, or the practice of incorporating crop residues back into the soil, has been shown to enhance soil organic carbon, improve soil structure, and increase microbial activity (Yang et al., 2022; Aon et al., 2023). Similarly, fertilization, particularly with nitrogen, can boost soil nutrient levels and support microbial processes essential for plant growth (Wang et al., 2021; Akhtar et al., 2023). However, the combined effects of straw return and fertilization on soil microbial communities and their subsequent impact on crop yields remain underexplored. Understanding the co-regulation of soil microbial communities by straw incorporation and fertilizer application can provide a theoretical basis for developing sustainable agricultural management practices. By promoting a balance between farmland ecosystem health and high crop yields, it can contribute to the development of strategies that enhance soil fertility, improve crop productivity, and support long-term agricultural sustainability. This study aims to explore how the synergistic application of straw return and fertilization can regulate soil microbial communities and enhance maize yields. Specifically, the objectives are to investigate the changes in soil microbial community composition and diversity in response to straw incorporation and fertilizer application. Evaluate the impact of these changes on soil enzyme activities and nutrient availability. Assess the overall effect of these practices on maize growth and yield.
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