ABSTRACT Biological amendment strategies effectively enhance the physical and chemical properties of continuously cropped soils, offering an environmentally sustainable and economically viable solution. This study investigated the impacts of distinct straw formulations on the cultivation performance of Stropharia rugosoannulata and associated soil microbial communities. Four treatments were established: R group (100% rice straw), C group (100% corn straw), TR group (10% tobacco stalk + 90% rice straw), and TC group (10% tobacco stalk + 90% corn straw). Employing a combined approach of field experiments and high-throughput sequencing, we systematically evaluated treatment efficacy through assessments of agronomic traits and nutritional quality of S. rugosoannulata , soil physicochemical parameters, and microbial community profiling. The TC group significantly enhanced S. rugosoannulata growth parameters, including height, cap thickness, stipe length, and fresh weight per individual fruiting body, outperforming pure straw treatments. The C group demonstrated the highest crude protein content (32.44%) among all treatments, while nicotine residues in tobacco-containing formulations remained below safety thresholds. Post-harvest incorporation of spent mushroom substrate (SMS) significantly increased soil organic matter (SOM), alkali-hydrolyzable nitrogen (AN), available potassium (AK), and available phosphorus (AP) contents, with the greatest increases observed in the TR group. Notably, the TC group promoted tobacco plant development between 40–80 days post-transplantation, evidenced by significant increases in plant height and leaf area expansion. All treatments substantially reduced incidence rates of tobacco black shank and brown spot disease, with the TR group reducing the incidence by 86.77% and 81.83%, respectively. Microbially, both TC and TR groups significantly enhanced the Chao1 index of soil bacteria and fungi, reduced the Simpson index, and promoted the enrichment of beneficial microbial genera (e.g., Actinobacteriota , Gaiella , and Mortierella ), while inhibiting opportunistic pathogenic fungi (e.g., Neocosmospora and Scedosporium ). β NTI model analysis revealed that drift and others (DR) primarily governed community assembly patterns, but the TC group uniquely intensified dispersal limitation (DL) effects on fungal community structure. IMPORTANCE Driven by the excessive pursuit of economic interests and limited soil resources, the intensive cultivation system centered on continuous cropping has become a critical component of agricultural production. However, this practice has led to soil nutrient depletion, escalated disease pressures, and root decay caused by soilborne pathogens, ultimately hindering healthy crop development. S. rugosoannulata cultivation is a non-expensive alternative to enhance soil health. Our study provides the first comprehensive characterization of different straw formulations, demonstrating exceptional potential for enhancing the yield and quality of S. rugosoannulata , improving the soil microecology in continuous cropping systems, and suppressing soil-borne diseases. These findings provide a scientific basis for sustainable field management and the recycling of straw resources.
Ding et al. (Tue,) studied this question.