Green manure effect on the ability of native and inoculated soil bacteria to mobilize zinc for wheat uptake (Triticum aestivum L.)

Abstract

Purpose Green manuring can increase the plant available fraction of zinc (Zn) in soil, making it a potential approach to increase wheat Zn concentrations and fight human Zn deficiency. We tested whether green manure increases the ability of both the native soil bacteria and inoculated Zn solubilizing bacteria (ZSB) to mobilize Zn. Methods Wheat was grown in a pot experiment with the following three factors (with or without); (i) clover addition; (ii) soil x-ray irradiation (i.e. elimination of the whole soil biota followed by re-inoculation with the native soil bacteria); and (iii) ZSB inoculation. The incorporation of clover in both the irradiated and the ZSB treatments allowed us to test green manure effects on the mobilization of Zn by indigenous soil bacteria as well as by inoculated strains. Results Inoculation with ZSB did neither increase soil Zn availability nor wheat Zn uptake. The highest soil Zn availabilities were found when clover was incorporated, particularly in the irradiated soils (containing only soil bacteria). This was partly associated with the stimulation of bacterial activity during the decomposition of the incorporated green manure. Conclusion The results support that the activity of soil bacteria is intimately involved in the mobilization of Zn following the incorporation of green manure.

Germplasm Screening of Green Manure Rapeseed through the Effects of Short-Term Decomposition on Soil Nutrients and Microorganisms

“…The decomposition of green manure will affect the soil nutrients, and the latter will affect the structural diversity and abundance of the soil microbial community [5,6,18]. Microorganisms are the main driving force of the soil nutrient material cycle, and the microbial communities in the soil are vulnerable to the influence of the external environment; thus, they react to the soil environment [37,38].…”

“…In parallel with the rapid development of modern industry, the unreasonable application of chemical fertilizer has caused a series of environmental and safety problems [1][2][3], which deters the realization of the target for sustainable development [3]. Planting green fertilizer can reduce the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides [4], and the use of green manure can increase the contents of soil nutrients and improve the soil fertility and structure of soil microbial community among others [5,6]. It is of substantial significance to cultivate high-quality green manure varieties and develop the green manure industry for the ecological environment and agricultural green sustainable development.…”