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Microbial functional genes play crucial roles in enhancing soil nutrient availability of halophyte rhizospheres in salinized grasslands.

Authors :
Liang M
Wu Y
Jiang Y
Zhao Z
Yang J
Liu G
Xue S
Source :
The Science of the total environment [Sci Total Environ] 2024 Dec 19; Vol. 958, pp. 178160. Date of Electronic Publication: 2024 Dec 19.
Publication Year :
2024
Publisher :
Ahead of Print

Abstract

Land degradation due to salinization threatens ecosystem health. Phytoremediation, facilitated by functional microorganisms, has gained attention for improving saline-alkali soils. However, the relationship between the functional potential of rhizosphere microbes involved in multi-element cycling and soil nutrient pools remain unclear. This study focused on the changes in functional genes related to carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) cycling in the rhizospheres of various halophytes and bulk soil in the grassland ecosystem of Chaka Salt Lake, Qinghai Province, China. Our evaluation of plant and soil characteristics revealed that halophyte growth increased soil hydrolase activity and nutrient levels, particularly available N. Significant differences were observed in foliage and root nutrients, rhizosphere soil properties, and microbial functional gene composition among plant species. Halophytes significantly altered the abundance of genes involved in C fixation (Calvin and DC/4-HB cycles), C degradation (starch, hemicellulose, cellulose, and pectin degradation), dissimilatory nitrate reduction (nirB), ammonification (ureC), organic P mineralization (phoA and ugpQ), P transport (phnE), and inorganic P dissolution (ppk1). C, N, and P cycling processes were closely related to soil N nutrients, available nutrient ratios, and C/N-cycling enzyme activities. Partial least squares path modeling (PLS-PM) analysis showed that microbial functional genes were directly associated with soil nutrient availability, with soil and plant variables indirectly affecting nutrient pools through the regulation of these genes. These findings enhance our understanding of the biochemical cycling in halophyte rhizospheres and highlight the role of microbial functional genes in saline-alkali soil restoration.<br />Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest This manuscript has not been published or presented elsewhere in part or in entirety and is not under consideration by another journal. We have read and understood your journal's policies, and we believe that neither the manuscript nor the study violates any of these.<br /> (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1879-1026
Volume :
958
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
The Science of the total environment
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
39705952
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.178160