Underwood cropping method in preventing soft rot disease of Amorphophallus konjac—from soil properties to rhizosphere microbial communities

Abstract

Underwood cropping methods have been considered an effective way to prevent bacterial soft rot in Amorphophallus konjac，however, the relationship between rhizosphere soil properties, microbial communities and konjac soft rot under different planting types is not clear. In this study, we assessed the differences in soil nutrients and rhizosphere microorganisms of single-cropping, intercropping, and underwood-cropping konjac plants in an experimental field. The results show that the soil nutrient abundance in the rhizosphere soil and leaves of konjac underwood cropping were the highest. Moreover, the abundance and alpha diversity of root-associated bacteria such as Actinobacteria, Acidobacteria, and Nitrospirae were the most abundant in underwood cropping sites. The presence of these bacteria was significantly positively correlated with soil phosphatase, catalase, organic matter, available nitrogen, and available potassium. All these characteristics greatly improved the konjac resistance to soft rot pathogenic bacteria. This research may provide support for konjac soft rot prevention.