What does this research mean for the field?

Applying sufficient amounts of composted Hanwoo manure (at quadruple the standard rate) achieves forage maize growth comparable to chemical fertilizers, while enhancing soil organic matter, available phosphorus, and the abundance of nutrient-cycling bacteria. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

This research aims to evaluate the effects of organic manure on forage maize growth and soil bacterial communities.

March 22, 2026Open Access

Effects of short-term application of organic manure on the growth of forage maize (Zea mays L. cv. Kwangpyeongok) and soil bacterial communities

Key Points

This research aims to evaluate the effects of organic manure on forage maize growth and soil bacterial communities.
Applied composted Hanwoo manure at standard and quadruple rates
Compared effects to chemical fertilizers and no treatment
Measured plant length, soil organic matter, and bacterial community composition
Plant growth was highest in the chemical fertilizer and quadruple organic manure groups
Organic matter and available phosphorus were significantly higher in organic manure-treated soils
Increased abundance of Proteobacteria and Candidatus saccharibacteria linked to nutrient cycling in organic manure soils

Abstract

While chemical fertilizers (CF) ensure rapid crop growth, relying exclusively on them can disrupt natural nutrient cycling and lead to environmental concerns such as nutrient imbalance. In contrast, organic amendments offer a sustainable alternative by promoting resource circulation; however, their efficacy is often variable and difficult to control, depending on complex interactions among application rates, plant types, and field conditions. Therefore, gaining comprehensive insights into their optimal use is essential to maximize agricultural benefits. This study evaluated the effects of composted Hanwoo manure (HM) applied at standard (HM₁x) and quadruple (HM₄x) rates on forage maize growth and soil microbial communities compared with CF and no treatment (NT). Growth parameters indicated that plant length was highest in the CF (219. 33 cm) and HM₄ × (217. 30 cm) groups, followed by HM₁ × (176. 78 cm) and NT (172. 02 cm). Soil analysis indicated that organic matter (OM) and available phosphorus (P2O5) were significantly higher in HM-treated soils than in NT. Microbiological analysis revealed distinct shifts in community composition linked to these chemical changes. In HM-treated soils, the relative abundance of Proteobacteria and Candidatus Saccharibacteria, known for their roles in OM decomposition and nutrient cycling, significantly increased. Conversely, the CF group showed a higher prevalence of Saprospiraceae, a phosphorus-removing bacterium, which is consistent with the observed reduction in available phosphorus in both soil and plant tissues in the CF treatment. Collectively, this study demonstrates that applying sufficient amounts of composted HM, where appropriate, can result in crop growth comparable to that of CF. Notably, we observed that such growth performance coincided with specific patterns in soil microbial communities related to nutrient availability. By highlighting these co-occurring trends, our research offers valuable insights into the biological dynamics of compost application for sustainable agriculture.

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Cite This Study

Shim et al. (Fri,) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/69bf8978f665edcd009e918e https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-45179-9

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