Abstract
Soil microorganisms play a crucial role in organic matter decomposition and nutrient cycling in cropping systems. Compared to bacteria, fungal community composition and the role of fungi in organic matter decomposition and nutrient cycling in agro-systems are, however, elusive. Silicon (Si) fertilization is essential to improve agronomic performance of rice. The effects of the Si fertilizer application on the soil fungal community composition and their contribution in soil organic matter (SOM) decomposition are not yet studied. We investigated the short-term (120 days) slag silicate fertilizer (SSF) amendment impacts on plant photosynthesis and soil biochemical changes, soil fungal communities (assessed by ITS amplicon illumina sequencing), hydrolytic and oxidase enzyme activities, CO2 emissions, and bacterial and fungal respiration in diverse eco-geographic races of rice (Oryza sativa L.), i.e., Japonica rice (O. sativa japonica) and Indica rice (O. sativa indica). The short-term SSF amendment significantly increased the relative abundance of saprotrophic fungi and accelerated organic matter decomposition. The increase in saprotrophic fungi was mostly attributed to greater labile C availability and Si availability. Higher organic matter decomposition was accompanied by an increase in both hydrolytic and oxidative enzyme activities in response to the SSF amendment. The stimulation of oxidative enzyme activities was explained by an increase in root oxidase activities and iron redox cycling, whereas stimulation of hydrolytic enzyme activities was explained by the greater labile C availability under SSF fertilization. We conclude that the short-term SSF amendment increases saprotrophic fungal communities and soil hydrolytic and oxidative enzyme activities, which in turn stimulates SOM mineralization and thus could have negative feedback impacts on soil C storage in submerged rice paddies.
Highlights
One of the central sustainability challenges for intensive agriculture is to increase the yield while decreasing environmental degradation
We evaluated the short-term slag silicate fertilizer (SSF) amendment effects on plant photosynthesis and soil biochemical changes, soil fungal community structure, hydrolytic and oxidase enzyme activities, CO2 emissions, and bacterial and fungal respiration in Japonica and Indica rice varieties
The soil used for the pot experiment was collected from the nearby paddy field that has not been amended with any fertilizer and/or manure
Summary
One of the central sustainability challenges for intensive agriculture is to increase the yield while decreasing environmental degradation. Silicate Fertilizer Alters Fungal Communities requirements of the growing population continually decreases Si content of paddy soils and degrades the soil and decreases rice yield (Sasaki et al, 2014). The application of Si fertilizer is highly recommended for Si-poor soils for optimum plant performance and crop yield improvement. The application of SSF is, proposed to practice in interruption, when the soil Si content and the soil pH (
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
