The Microbial mechanisms of soil organic carbon pool transformation under long-term chemical fertilizer and straw application: Insights from an 18-year field experiment
Randomized trial investigates long-term effects of straw and fertilizer on soil carbon in rice-wheat rotation, suggesting enhanced carbon sequestration.
Key Points
This research examines how long-term application of straw and chemical fertilizers affects soil organic carbon transformations in agricultural systems.
Conducted an 18-year field experiment in a rice-wheat rotation system.
Investigated four treatments: CK (control), NPK (chemical fertilizer), S (straw return), and NPKS (combined treatment).
Used metagenomic analysis to assess changes in soil microbial community composition.
NPKS treatment increased soil organic carbon content by 49.29% compared to CK.
Labile carbon fractions showed substantial increases: DOC +104.23%, MBC +90.76%, ROC +77.65%, and POC +111.29%.
Straw return significantly altered microbial composition and enhanced carbon degradation and fixation gene potentials.