Animal manures increased maize yield by promoting microbial activities and inorganic phosphorus transformation in reclaimed soil aggregates

Abstract

Animal manures positively affect soil microbial activity and inorganic phosphorus (Pi) accumulation. However, how different types of manures affect microbial-driven Pi transformation at the aggregate scale is largely unclear. Here, we conducted a field experiment focused on maize cultivation in a reclamation site. Five fertilization treatments included no fertilizer (CK), chemical fertilizer (CF), chicken manure (CHM), pig manure (PM), and cow manure (CM). We examined microbial biomass, soil extracellular enzyme activities associated with carbon and phosphorus cycling, and Pi fractions (Labile-P, Moderately labile-P, and Stable-P) in three aggregate sizes (> 2 mm large macro-aggregates, 0.25–2 mm small macro-aggregates, and < 0.25 mm micro-aggregates), as well as grain yield. The results showed that manures addition significantly increased the proportion of large macro-aggregates and aggregate stability compared to chemical fertilizer. Stable-P constituted the largest proportion among the Pi fractions, accounting for 63 %–72 %. However, manures reduced Stable-P (5.4 %–10.7 %) and increased Labile-P (111 %–190 %) in Pi, especially in micro-aggregates. Both chemical fertilizer and manures increased microbial biomass and enzyme activities in aggregates, with manures causing a greater enhancement of soil microbial biomass carbon (SMBC) and C-cycling enzymes, especially under pig manure, and improving soil microbial biomass phosphorus (SMBP) and P-cycling enzymes, especially under chicken manure. Phytase, phosphatase and SMBP accounted for 81.4 %, 81.2 % and 87 % of the differences in large macro-aggregates, small macro-aggregates, and micro-aggregates, respectively. The structural equation model (SEM) demonstrated that manures facilitated the transformation of Stable-P to Labile-P by regulating aggregates and microbial activity, which consequently increased yield. In summary, manures addition, particularly chicken manure, can enhance inorganic phosphate (Pi) accumulation and transformation, thereby mitigating phosphorus (P) limitation in calcareous reclamation soils.