Long-term fertilization coupled with rhizobium inoculation promotes soybean yield and alters soil bacterial community composition

Abstract

Microbial diversity is an important indicator of soil fertility and plays an indispensable role in farmland ecosystem sustainability. The short-term effects of fertilization and rhizobium inoculation on soil microbial diversity and community structure have been explored extensively; however, few studies have evaluated their long-term effects. Here, we applied quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and amplicon sequencing to characterize the effect of 10-year fertilizer and rhizobium inoculation on bacterial communities in soybean bulk and rhizosphere soils at the flowering–podding and maturity stages. Four treatments were examined: non-fertilization control (CK), phosphorus and potassium fertilization (PK), nitrogen and PK fertilization (PK + N), and PK fertilization and Bradyrhizobium japonicum 5821 (PK + R). Long-term co-application of rhizobium and PK promoted soybean nodule dry weight by 33.94% compared with PK + N, and increased soybean yield by average of 32.25%, 5.90%, and 5.00% compared with CK, PK, and PK + N, respectively. The pH of PK + R was significantly higher than that of PK and PK + N at the flowering–podding stage. The bacterial abundance at the flowering–podding stage was positively correlated with soybean yield, but not at the maturity stage. The significant different class Gemmatimonadetes, and the genera Gemmatimonas, and Ellin6067 in soil at the flowering–podding stage were negatively correlated with soybean yield. However, the bacterial community at class and genus levels at maturity had no significant effect on soybean yield. The key bacterial communities that determine soybean yield were concentrated in the flowering–podding stage, not at maturity stage. Rhizosphere effect, growth period, and treatment synergies resulted in significant differences in soil bacterial community composition. Soil organic matter (OM), total nitrogen (TN), pH, and available phosphorus (AP) were the main variables affecting bacterial community structure. Overall, long-term co-application of rhizobium and fertilizer not only increased soybean yield, but also altered soil bacterial community structure through niche reconstruction and microbial interaction. Rhizobium inoculation plays key role in reducing nitrogen fertilizer application and promoting sustainable agriculture practices.

Effects of Fertilization Patterns on the Growth of Rapeseed Seedlings and Rhizosphere Microorganisms under Flooding Stress

“…This may be one of the reasons why the application of organic and microbial fertilizer can promote the growth of rapeseed seedlings. Ellin6067 is an ammonia-oxidizing bacterium that can oxidize ammonia to nitrite [56]. This indicates that Ellin6067 can promote the absorption of nitrogen by plants.…”

Isolation and Identification of Salinity-Tolerant Rhizobia and Nodulation Phenotype Analysis in Different Soybean Germplasms

“…In recent years, rhizobium inoculation has become a hit in the process of growing soybeans [12], and it has been promoted in countries such as Brazil, the United States, and Argentina to improve soybean crop yields [13,14] and reduce the chemical fertilizer inputs and cost of soybean production with microbial nitrogen fixation [15], making them the main soybean exporters. In the 100-year history since the discovery of rhizobia, countries around the world have promoted their isolation and put studies on host specificity into practice [16,17].…”

Enhancing Soybean Seed Coverage with Rhizobium Inoculation in Pneumatic Row Crop Planters: A Strategy for Improved Crop Yield

“…Additionally, bacterial abundance exhibited a correlation with the soybean yield during the flowering–podding stage, revealing the impact of the rhizosphere. This study sheds light on the interplay among Rhizobium and fertilizer, microbial shifts, and soybean yield, thus providing insight into sustainable agriculture . In another investigation, researchers examined microbial inoculants for enhancing drought tolerance in crops.…”

“…This study sheds light on the interplay among Rhizobium and fertilizer, microbial shifts, and soybean yield, thus providing insight into sustainable agriculture. 5 In another investigation, researchers examined microbial inoculants for enhancing drought tolerance in crops. The co-inoculation of rhizobia species and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) significantly affected the physiology and growth of the soybeans under various water conditions, thus demonstrating a biotechnological potential for mitigating food insecurity.…”