Effects of Microbial Organic Fertilizer, Microbial Inoculant, and Quicklime on Soil Microbial Community Composition in Pepper (<i>Capsicum annuum</i> L.) Continuous Cropping System

The additions of microbial organic fertilizer (MOF), a microbial inoculant (MI), and quicklime (Q) are considered to be sustainable practices to restore land that has been damaged by continuous cropping of pepper (<i>Capsicum annuum</i> L.). However, the combined effects of these three a...

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Main Authors: Chengfu Zhang, Limin Zhang, Yang Cao, Sunjian Zhang, Chao Hou, Chaosheng Zhang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-10-01
Series:Horticulturae
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2311-7524/10/11/1142
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author Chengfu Zhang
Limin Zhang
Yang Cao
Sunjian Zhang
Chao Hou
Chaosheng Zhang
author_facet Chengfu Zhang
Limin Zhang
Yang Cao
Sunjian Zhang
Chao Hou
Chaosheng Zhang
author_sort Chengfu Zhang
collection DOAJ
description The additions of microbial organic fertilizer (MOF), a microbial inoculant (MI), and quicklime (Q) are considered to be sustainable practices to restore land that has been damaged by continuous cropping of pepper (<i>Capsicum annuum</i> L.). However, the combined effects of these three additives on pepper yield, soil chemical properties, and soil microbial communities were unclear. The experimental design consists of 13 treatment groups: the untreated soil (control); soil amended solely with three treatments for each of MOF (1875–5625 kg ha<sup>−1</sup>), MI (150–450 mL plant<sup>−1</sup>), and Q (1500–4500 kg ha<sup>−1</sup>); and soil amended with combinations of MOF, MI, and Q at three comparable concentrations. A significant increase in pepper fruit diameter, length, yield, and soil available nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium contents occurs upon exclusive and combined applications of MOF, MI, and Q. Pepper yield was greatest (29.89% more than control values) in the combined treatment with concentrations of 1875 kg ha<sup>−1</sup> MOF, 150 mL plant<sup>−1</sup> MI, and 1500 kg ha<sup>−1</sup> Q. The application of Q increased soil pH and reduced soil–fungal richness. The application of MOF, MI, and Q increased the relative abundance of bacterial genera and the complexity of bacterial and fungal co-occurrence networks compared with control levels. The combined application of MOF, MI, and Q resulted in the greatest microbial network complexity. A Mantel test revealed the key role of soil available nitrogen content and bacterial diversity in the regulation of pepper growth and yield. We conclude that the combined application of MOF, MI, and Q improves soil nutrient availability and modifies soil microbial community composition, significantly promoting plant growth and pepper yield during continuous cultivation.
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series Horticulturae
spelling doaj-art-d45500ddc1a448f4aa1292ad9c6615a82024-11-26T18:05:54ZengMDPI AGHorticulturae2311-75242024-10-011011114210.3390/horticulturae10111142Effects of Microbial Organic Fertilizer, Microbial Inoculant, and Quicklime on Soil Microbial Community Composition in Pepper (<i>Capsicum annuum</i> L.) Continuous Cropping SystemChengfu Zhang0Limin Zhang1Yang Cao2Sunjian Zhang3Chao Hou4Chaosheng Zhang5Guizhou Institute of Mountain Resources, Guizhou Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550001, ChinaGuizhou Academy of Testing and Analysis, Guizhou Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550014, ChinaGuizhou Institute of Mountain Resources, Guizhou Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550001, ChinaGuizhou Institute of Mountain Resources, Guizhou Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550001, ChinaCollege of Eco-Environmental Engineering, Guizhou Minzu University, Guiyang 550025, ChinaNayong Bureau of Agriculture and Rural, Bijie 553300, ChinaThe additions of microbial organic fertilizer (MOF), a microbial inoculant (MI), and quicklime (Q) are considered to be sustainable practices to restore land that has been damaged by continuous cropping of pepper (<i>Capsicum annuum</i> L.). However, the combined effects of these three additives on pepper yield, soil chemical properties, and soil microbial communities were unclear. The experimental design consists of 13 treatment groups: the untreated soil (control); soil amended solely with three treatments for each of MOF (1875–5625 kg ha<sup>−1</sup>), MI (150–450 mL plant<sup>−1</sup>), and Q (1500–4500 kg ha<sup>−1</sup>); and soil amended with combinations of MOF, MI, and Q at three comparable concentrations. A significant increase in pepper fruit diameter, length, yield, and soil available nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium contents occurs upon exclusive and combined applications of MOF, MI, and Q. Pepper yield was greatest (29.89% more than control values) in the combined treatment with concentrations of 1875 kg ha<sup>−1</sup> MOF, 150 mL plant<sup>−1</sup> MI, and 1500 kg ha<sup>−1</sup> Q. The application of Q increased soil pH and reduced soil–fungal richness. The application of MOF, MI, and Q increased the relative abundance of bacterial genera and the complexity of bacterial and fungal co-occurrence networks compared with control levels. The combined application of MOF, MI, and Q resulted in the greatest microbial network complexity. A Mantel test revealed the key role of soil available nitrogen content and bacterial diversity in the regulation of pepper growth and yield. We conclude that the combined application of MOF, MI, and Q improves soil nutrient availability and modifies soil microbial community composition, significantly promoting plant growth and pepper yield during continuous cultivation.https://www.mdpi.com/2311-7524/10/11/1142microbial organic fertilizermicrobial inoculantquicklimemicrobial community compositionsoil continuous cropping obstacle
spellingShingle Chengfu Zhang
Limin Zhang
Yang Cao
Sunjian Zhang
Chao Hou
Chaosheng Zhang
Effects of Microbial Organic Fertilizer, Microbial Inoculant, and Quicklime on Soil Microbial Community Composition in Pepper (<i>Capsicum annuum</i> L.) Continuous Cropping System
Horticulturae
microbial organic fertilizer
microbial inoculant
quicklime
microbial community composition
soil continuous cropping obstacle
title Effects of Microbial Organic Fertilizer, Microbial Inoculant, and Quicklime on Soil Microbial Community Composition in Pepper (<i>Capsicum annuum</i> L.) Continuous Cropping System
title_full Effects of Microbial Organic Fertilizer, Microbial Inoculant, and Quicklime on Soil Microbial Community Composition in Pepper (<i>Capsicum annuum</i> L.) Continuous Cropping System
title_fullStr Effects of Microbial Organic Fertilizer, Microbial Inoculant, and Quicklime on Soil Microbial Community Composition in Pepper (<i>Capsicum annuum</i> L.) Continuous Cropping System
title_full_unstemmed Effects of Microbial Organic Fertilizer, Microbial Inoculant, and Quicklime on Soil Microbial Community Composition in Pepper (<i>Capsicum annuum</i> L.) Continuous Cropping System
title_short Effects of Microbial Organic Fertilizer, Microbial Inoculant, and Quicklime on Soil Microbial Community Composition in Pepper (<i>Capsicum annuum</i> L.) Continuous Cropping System
title_sort effects of microbial organic fertilizer microbial inoculant and quicklime on soil microbial community composition in pepper i capsicum annuum i l continuous cropping system
topic microbial organic fertilizer
microbial inoculant
quicklime
microbial community composition
soil continuous cropping obstacle
url https://www.mdpi.com/2311-7524/10/11/1142
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