Metagenomics reveals N-induced changes in carbon-degrading genes and microbial communities of tea (Camellia sinensis L.) plantation soil under long-term fertilization

Manure input propagated antibiotic resistance genes and virulence factors in soils by regulating microbial carbon metabolism

Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and virulence factors (VFs) in soils represent a significant threat to ecological security and human health. The carbon-rich soil formed by manure fertilization provides an energy source for soil microbes. However, we still know little about how microbial-dominated carbon metabolism affects ARGs and VFs proliferation in soils subjected to long-term fertilization and irrigation practices in wheat-maize system. Here, we investigated soil microbial carbon metabolism, ARGs and VFs distribution, and microbial composition in soils under 9-year of different fertilization and irrigation managements during wheat growing period. Results showed that manure (M) increased total abundance of soil ARGs by 5.9 %-8.0 % and 2.1 %-4.8 % and VFs by 5.4 %-7.5 % and 2.0 %-4.9 % compared to no fertilizer (CK) and NPK fertilizer (C), respectively, regardless of irrigation. M enriched more number of ARGs and VFs types, and increased abundance of host microbes involved in carbon fixation and carbon degradation, such as Streptomyces, Lysobacter and Agromyces. M increased abundance of carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes) and carbon cycle functional pathways, as well as microbial carbon metabolism capacity. Partial least squares path modeling and correlation analysis showed that microbial diversity, CAZymes, carbon cycle functional pathways (particularly carbon fixation and degradation) and microbial carbon metabolism capacity of microbial community had direct positive effects on the proliferation and spread of ARGs and VFs. In conclusion, our results highlight the importance of microbial mediated carbon metabolism in driving the dissemination of ARGs and VFs in soils under long-term manure application.

Characterization of antibiotic resistance genes and virulence factors in organic managed tea plantation soils in southwestern China by metagenomics

Sustainable organic management practices have gained significant attentions for its potential health and environmental benefits. However, the spread of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and virulence factors (VFs) in soils, plants, and agricultural products has severely limited the development of organic managements on agriculture. At present, the distribution and assembly of ARGs and VFs in organic managed tea plantation systems remains largely unknown. Here, we used metagenomic analysis to explore soil microbial taxa, ARGs and VFs in 20 years of conventional managed (CM) and organic managed (OM) tea plantation soils. Results showed that total abundance of ARGs in OM was 16.9% (p < 0.001) higher than that in CM, and the increased ARGs were rpoB2, evgS, MuxB, TaeA, and efrA. As for VFs, OM significantly increased the abundance of adherence, stress protein and actin-based motility compared to CM. Moreover, OM increased the relative abundance of soil microbial taxa harboring ARGs and VFs, which were Streptomyces, Pseudomonas, and Terrabacter, compared to CM. Network analysis suggested that OM increased the positive interactions of microbial taxa-ARGs, microbial taxa-VFs and ARGs-VFs compared to CM. Impact of stochastic process on the assembly of soil microbial taxa, ARGs and VFs in OM was stronger than that in CM. Overall, these findings provide a basis for integrating ARGs, VFs and pathogen hosts to assess the ecological and health risks in long-term organic managed soils, and increased efforts need to be done in reducing ARGs, VFs and bacterial pathogens in fertilizers for organic managements on agriculture.

Metagenomics reveals functional profiles of soil nitrogen and phosphorus cycling under different amendments in saline-alkali soil

High salinity, low fertility and poor structure in saline-alkali soils led to nutrient cycling slow and microbial activity loss. The application of amendments has proven effective in enhancing soil nutrients, which significantly affects soil nitrogen and phosphorus cycling process. However, the specific impact of different amendments on the microbial functional potential related to nutrient cycling in saline-alkali soils remains unclear. Hence, metagenomics sequencing was used to investigate soil microbial communities and nitrogen and phosphorus cycling genes in response to different amendments, and to examine the influence of soil physicochemical properties on functional genes in the Hetao irrigation district of China. The results showed that amendments application enriched the Proteobacteria abundance, while inhibiting oligotrophic groups such as Chloroflexi. Compared to the control (CK), the combined application of desulfurization gypsum and cattle manure (DC) notably increased nasA (assimilatory nitrate reduction) and nirB (dissimilatory nitrate reduction), as well as phoD and phoA genes (organic P mineralization). Furthermore, soil AK and AP were primary factors affecting microbial communities and N and P cycling genes. Overall, this study offers valuable insights into soil nitrogen and phosphorus cycling genes and their interactions in response to different amendments, where the application of amendments affects nitrogen and phosphorus cycling by altering soil nutrient availability.

Microbial changing patterns across lateral and vertical horizons in recently formed permafrost after the outburst of Zonag Lake, Tibetan Plateau

In polar and alpine regions, global warming and landform changes are draining lakes, transforming them into permafrost with altered microbial communities and element cycling. In this study, we investigated bacterial and archaeal (prokaryotic) community changes in the newly exposed sediment of Zonag Lake (Tibetan Plateau), focusing on prokaryotic diversity, community structure, and genes involved in carbon fixation and nitrogen cycling across lateral (up to 800 m) and vertical (up to 80 cm) horizons. The results showed that prokaryotic richness decreased across the lateral horizons, coinciding with reductions in carbon concentrations. Dramatic changes in community structure were also observed, primarily influenced by the distance from the lake and then by sediment depth, with environmental filtering and dispersal limitations shaping the lateral and vertical distributions, respectively. Based on PICRUSt2 results, the relative abundance of genes related to carbon fixation increased along the lateral horizon, suggesting that microbial carbon fixers are counteracting the carbon loss during permafrost formation. In contrast, the genes related to denitrification also increased, which may lead to nitrogen loss and contribute to global warming by releasing nitric oxide gas. This study highlights the resilience of prokaryotic communities in drained lake basins and their ecological implications under global warming.

Microplastics in agricultural soil: Unveiling their role in shaping soil properties and driving greenhouse gas emissions

Microplastics (MPs) contamination is pervasive in agricultural soils, significantly influencing carbon and nitrogen biogeochemical cycles and altering greenhouse gas (GHG) fluxes. This review examines the sources, status, mechanisms, and ecological consequences of MPs pollution in agricultural soils, with a focus on how MPs modified soil physicochemical properties and microbial gene expression, ultimately impacting GHG emissions. MPs were found to reduce soil water retention, decreasing soil respiration and increasing emissions of CO2, CH₄, and N2O. They also enhanced soil aggregate stability and influenced soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration, contributing further to GHG emissions. MPs-induced increases in soil pH were associated with suppressed CH₄ and N2O emissions, whereas the abundance of genes encoding enzymes for cellulose and lignin decomposition (e.g., abfA and mnp) stimulated enzyme activity, intensifying N2O release. Additionally, a reduced soil C/N ratio promoted denitrification processes. Changes in microbial communities, including increases in Actinomycetes and Proteobacteria, were observed, with a rise in genes associated with carbon cycling (abfA, manB, xylA) and nitrification-denitrification (nifH, amoA, nirS, nirK), further exacerbating CO2 and N2O emissions. This review provides valuable insights into the complex roles of MPs in GHG dynamics in agricultural soils, offering perspectives for improving environmental management strategies.

A novel transcription factor CsSNACA2 plays a pivotal role within nitrogen assimilation in tea plants

Tea (Camellia sinensis) is a globally renowned economic crop, with organs such as leaves and buds utilized for consumption. As a perennial foliage crop, tea plants have high-nitrogen consumption and demand but exhibit relatively low nitrogen use efficiency. Exploring the genetic factors involved in nitrogen assimilation in tea plants could lead to improvements in both tea yield and quality. Here, we first conducted transcriptome sequencing on two tissues (roots and young leaves) under two different nitrate levels (0.2 and 2.5 mm KNO3) and at six time points (0, 15, and 45 min; 2 and 6 h and 2 days). Differential gene expression patterns were observed for several genes that exhibited altered expression at 2 h. Clustering and enrichment analyses, along with co-expression network construction, provided evidence for the crucial involvement of CsSNACA2 in nitrogen assimilation. CsSNACA2 overexpression elicited pronounced phenotypic changes in nitrogen-deficient plants. Furthermore, CsSNACA2 suppressed the expression of CsNR (encoding nitrate reductase) and CsCLCa (encoding aNO 3 - /H+ exchanger). Moreover, CsSNACA2 served as a downstream target of CsSPL6.1. In addition, we characterized Csi-miR156e and Csi-miR156k, which directly cleave CsSPL6.1. This study identified a transcription factor module participating in nitrogen assimilation in tea plants, providing a genetic foundation for future innovations in tea cultivar improvement. These results broaden our understanding of the genetic mechanisms governing nitrogen assimilation in dicotyledonous plants.

Variability in N2O emission controls among different ponds within a hilly watershed

While it is well established that small water bodies like ponds play a disproportionately large role in contributing to N2O emissions, few studies have focused on lowland ponds in hilly watersheds. Here, we explored the characteristics of N2O concentrations and emissions from various typical ponds (village, tea, forested, and aquaculture ponds) in a hilly watershed and examined the specific controls influencing N2O production. Our findings revealed that tea ponds exhibited the highest N2O flux (8.42 ± 8.23 μmol m-2 d-1), which was 2.8 to 3.3 times greater than other types of ponds. Remarkable seasonal variations were observed in tea and forested ponds due to the seasonality of nutrient-enriched runoff, whereas such variations were less pronounced in village and aquaculture ponds. Key factors such as nitrogen levels, temperature, and dissolved oxygen (DO) emerged as the primary controls of N2O concentrations in ponds, heavily influenced by land use and human activities in their drainage areas. Specifically, N2O production in tea and aquaculture ponds was driven by N inputs from fertilization and feed, respectively, while DO levels governed the process in village and forested ponds, influenced by abundant algae and forest vegetation. This study emphasizes that environmental factors predominantly drive N2O production in ponds within hilly watersheds, but land use in the pond drainages acts as an indirect yet crucial influence. This highlights the need for future research to develop targeted emission reduction strategies based on land use to effectively mitigate N2O emissions, promising a path toward more sustainable and climate-friendly watershed management.

Effects of manure and nitrogen fertilization on soil microbial carbon fixation genes and associated communities in the Loess Plateau of China

The effects of long-term fertilization on soil carbon (C) cycling have been a key focus of agricultural sustainable development research. However, the influences of different fertilization treatments on soil microbial C fixation profiles are still unclear. Metagenomics technology and multivariate analysis were employed to inquire changes in soil properties, soil microbial C fixation genes and associated bacterial communities, and the influence of dominant soil properties on C fixation genes. The contents of soil C and nitrogen fractions were signicficantly higher in manure or combined with nitrogen fertilization (NM) than other treatments. The composition of soil microbial C fixation genes and associated bacterial communities varied among different fertilization treatments. Compared with other treatments, the total abundance of microbial C fixation genes and the abundance of Proteobacteria were significantly higher in NM than in other treatments, as well as the abundances of C fixation genes involved in dicarboxylate/4-hydroxybutyrate cycle and reductive citrate cycle. Key functional genes and main bacterial communities presented in the middle of the co-occurrence network. Soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, and microbial biomass nitrogen were the dominant soil properties influencing microbial C fixation genes and associated bacterial communitis. Fertilization increased the abundance of C fixation genes by affecting the changes in bacterial communities abundance mediated by soil properties. Overall, elucidating the responses of soil microbial C fixation genes and associated communities to different fertilization will enhance our understanding of the processes of soil C fixation in farmland.

Nitrogen fertilization and soil nitrogen cycling: Unraveling the links among multiple environmental factors, functional genes, and transformation rates

Anthropogenic nitrogen (N) inputs substantially influence the N cycle in agricultural ecosystems. However, the potential links among various environmental factors, nitrogen functional genes, and transformation rates under N fertilization remain poorly understood. Here, we conducted a five-year field experiment and collected 54 soil samples from three 0-4 m boreholes across different treatments: control, N-addition (nitrogen fertilizer) and NPK-addition (combined application of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilizers) treatments. Our results revealed pronounced variations in soil physiochemical parameters, metal concentrations and antibiotic levels under both N and NPK treatments. These alternations induced significant shifts in bacterial and fungal communities, altered NFG abundance and composition, and greatly enhanced rates of nitrate reduction processes. Notably, nutrients, antibiotics and bacteria exerted a more pronounced influence on NFGs and nitrate reduction under N treatment, whereas nutrients, metals, bacteria and fungi had a significant impact under NPK treatment. Furthermore, we established multidimensional correlations between nitrate reduction gene profiles and the activity rates under N and NPK treatments, contrasting with the absence of significant relationships in the control treatment. These findings shed light on the intricate relationships between microbial genetics and ecosystem functions in agricultural ecosystem, which is of significance for predicting and managing metabolic processes effectively.

Microbial mechanisms for CO2 and CH4 emissions in Robinia pseudoacacia forests along a North-South transect in the Loess Plateau

Forest soil microbes play a crucial role in regulating atmospheric-soil carbon fluxes. Environmental heterogeneity across forest types and regions may lead to differences in soil CO2 and CH4 emissions. However, the microbial mechanisms underlying these emission variations are currently unclear. In this study, we measured CO2 and CH4 emissions of Robinia pseudoacacia forests along a north-south transect in the Loess Plateau. Using metagenomic sequencing, we investigated the structural and functional profiles of soil carbon cycling microbial communities. Results indicated that the forest CO2 emissions of Robinia pseudoacacia was significantly higher in the north region than in the south region, while the CH4 emission was oppositely. This is mainly attributed to changes in gene abundance driven by soil pH and moisture in participating carbon degradation and methane oxidation processes across different forest regions. The gene differences in carbon fixation processes between regions primarily stem from the Calvin cycle, where the abundance of rbcL, rbcS, and prkB genes dominates microbial carbon fixation in forest soils. Random forest models revealed key genes involved in predicting forest soil CO2 emissions, including SGA1 and amyA for starch decomposition, TYR for lignin decomposition, chitinase for chitin decomposition, and pectinesterase for pectin decomposition. Microbial functional characterization revealed that interregional differences in CH4 emissions during methane metabolism may originate from methane oxidation processes, and the associated gene abundances (glyA, ppc, and pmoB) were key genes for predicting CH4 emissions from forest soils. Our results provide new insights into the microbial mechanisms of CO2 and CH4 emissions from forest soils, which will be crucial for accurate prediction of the forest soil carbon cycle in the future.

Unveiling the Hidden Responses: Metagenomic Insights into Dwarf Bamboo (Fargesia denudata) Rhizosphere under Drought and Nitrogen Challenges

Dwarf bamboo (Fargesia denudata) is a crucial food source for the giant pandas. With its shallow root system and rapid growth, dwarf bamboo is highly sensitive to drought stress and nitrogen deposition, both major concerns of global climate change affecting plant growth and rhizosphere environments. However, few reports address the response mechanisms of the dwarf bamboo rhizosphere environment to these two factors. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of drought stress and nitrogen deposition on the physicochemical properties and microbial community composition of the arrow bamboo rhizosphere soil, using metagenomic sequencing to analyze functional genes involved in carbon and nitrogen cycles. Both drought stress and nitrogen deposition significantly altered the soil nutrient content, but their combination had no significant impact on these indicators. Nitrogen deposition increased the relative abundance of the microbial functional gene nrfA, while decreasing the abundances of nirK, nosZ, norB, and nifH. Drought stress inhibited the functional genes of key microbial enzymes involved in starch and sucrose metabolism, but promoted those involved in galactose metabolism, inositol phosphate metabolism, and hemicellulose degradation. NO3--N showed the highest correlation with N-cycling functional genes (p < 0.01). Total C and total N had the greatest impact on the relative abundance of key enzyme functional genes involved in carbon degradation. This research provides theoretical and technical references for the sustainable management and conservation of dwarf bamboo forests in giant panda habitats under global climate change.

Macrogenomics reveal the effects of inter-cropping perilla on kiwifruit: impact on inter-root soil microbiota and gene expression of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus cycles in kiwifruit

Intercropping systems can improve soil fertility and health, however, soil microbial communities and functional genes related to carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus cycling under the intercropping system of mesquite and perilla have not been studied. Therefore, in the present study, different planting densities and varieties of Perilla frutescens (L.) Britt and kiwifruit were used for intercropping, and changes in soil microbial communities and carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus cycling genes in kiwifruit inter-roots under inter-cropping conditions were investigated by macro-genome sequencing technology. The results showed that intercropping with Perill caused a decrease in most soil nutrients, soil enzyme activities, and had a significant impact on the microbial (bacteria and fungi) diversity. Inter-cropping increased the relative abundance of the dominant bacterial phylum "Proteobacteria" and "Actinobacteria" by 47 and 57%, respectively, but decreased the relative abundance of the dominant fungal phylum "Chordata" and "Streptophyta" by 11 and 20%, respectively, in the inter-root soil of kiwifruit, and had a significant impact on the microbial (bacteria and fungi) diversity. In addition, inter-cropping could greatly increase the inter-root soil carbon sequestration (PccA, korA/B/C/D, fhs, and rbcl/s), carbon degradation (abfD), organic nitrogen mineralization (GDH2), denitrification (napA/B, nirB, norB), organic phosphorus mineralization (phop, phn), and inorganic phosphorus solubilization (gcd, ppk) gene abundance. The gene co-occurrence network indicated that soil korB, nirB, and gnd key functional genes for carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus cycling in kiwifruit inter-root soils and their expression was up-regulated in the inter-cropping group. Structural equation (SEM) further showed that soil total nitrogen, organic matter, total carbon and acid phosphatase had significant effects on microbial diversity (p < 0.05) and soil carbon cycling gene korB and phosphorus cycling gene purH (p < 0.001), while korB and purH had positive effects on kiwifruit quality. In conclusion, intercropping perilla in kiwifruit orchards changed the structure of bacterial and fungal communities in the inter-root soil of kiwifruit, but I believe that intercropping perilla stimulates carbon degradation, leading to carbon emission and serious loss of soil nutrients, and that prolonged intercropping may adversely affect the quality of kiwifruit, and thus its limitations should be noted in future studies.

Variations in different preceding crops on the soil environment, bacterial community richness and diversity of tobacco-planting soil

Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) is a major cash crop, and soil quality played a significant role in the yield and quality of tobacco. Most farmers cultivate tobacco in rotation with other crops to improve the soil characteristics. However, the effects of different previous crops on the soil's nutrient status and bacterial community for tobacco cultivation still need to be determined. Three treatments were assessed in this study, i.e., tobacco-planting soil without treatment (CK), soil with barley previously cultivated (T1), and soil with rapeseed previously cultivated (T2). The soil physical and chemical properties and the 16S rRNA gene sequence diversity of the bacterial community were analyzed. The effects of different crops on the physical and chemical properties of tobacco-planting soil and the diversity and richness of the bacterial community were comprehensively discussed. The results of this study showed that different previously cultivated crops altered the nutrient status of the soil, with changes in the ratio of NH4 +-N to NO3 --N having the most significant impact on tobacco. In CK, the ratio of NH4 +-N to NO3 --N was 1:24.2, T1-1:9.59, and T2-1:11.10. The composition of the bacterial community in tobacco-planting soil varied significantly depending on the previously cultivated crops. The richness and diversity of the bacterial community with different crops were considerably higher than without prior cultivation of different crops. The dominant bacteria in different treatments were Actinobacteriota, Proteobacteria, and Chloroflexi with their relative abundance differed. In conclusion, our study revealed significant differences in nutrient status, bacterial community diversity, and the richness of tobacco-planting soil after the preceding cultivation of different crops. Suitable crops should be selected to be previously cultivated in tobacco crop rotations in near future for sustainable agriculture.

Spatio-temporal microbial regulation of aggregate-associated priming effects under contrasting tillage practices

Tillage intensity significantly influences the heterogeneous distribution and dynamic changes of soil microorganisms, consequently shaping spatio-temporal patterns of SOC decomposition. However, little is known about the microbial mechanisms by which tillage intensity regulates the priming effect (PE) dynamics in heterogeneous spatial environments such as aggregates. Herein, a microcosm experiment was established by adding 13C-labeled straw residue to three distinct aggregate-size classes (i.e., mega-, macro-, and micro-aggregates) from two long-term contrasting tillage histories (no-till [NT] and conventional plow tillage [CT]) for 160 days to observe the spatio-temporal variations in PE. Metagenomic sequencing and Fourier transform mid-infrared techniques were used to assess the relative importance of C-degrading functional genes, microbial community succession, and SOC chemical composition in the aggregate-associated PE dynamics during straw decomposition. Spatially, straw addition induced a positive PE for all aggregates, with stronger PE occurring in larger aggregates, especially in CT soil compared to NT soil. Larger aggregates have more unique microbial communities enriched in genes for simple C degradation (e.g., E5.1.3.6, E2.4.1.7, pmm-pgm, and KduD in Nitrosospeera and Burkholderia), contributing to the higher short-term PE; however, CT soils harbored more genes for complex C degradation (e.g., TSTA3, fcl, pmm-pgm, and K06871 in Gammaproteobacteria and Phycicoccus), supporting a stronger long-term PE. Temporally, soil aggregates played a significant role in the early-stage PEs (i.e., < 59 days after residue addition) through co-metabolism and nitrogen (N) mining, as evidenced by the increased microbial biomass C and dissolved organic C (DOC) and reduced inorganic N with increasing aggregate-size class. At a later stage, however, the legacy effect of tillage histories controlled the PEs via microbial stoichiometry decomposition, as suggested by the higher DOC-to-inorganic N and DOC-to-available P stoichiometries in CT than NT. Our study underscores the importance of incorporating both spatial and temporal microbial dynamics for a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms underlying SOC priming, especially in the context of long-term contrasting tillage practices.

Regulation of wheat growth by soil multifunctionality and metagenomic-based microbial functional profiles under mulching treatments

Soil microbial functional genes play key roles in biogeochemical processes that are closely related to crop development. However, the regulation of crop growth by the composition and potential interactions of metagenomic-based functional genes is poorly understood. Therefore, in a long-term mulching experiment, the regulation of wheat growth by soil multifunctionality, microbial functional profiles driven by soil properties and microbial activity was studied. Soil properties and microbial activity were significantly separated into distinct mulching treatments, and were significantly declined by plastic film mulching treatment, similar to soil multifunctionality. Only carbon (C) and phosphorus (P) cycling gene compositions were divided significantly into distinct mulching treatments to varying degrees. Similarly, intra- and inter-connected sub-networks associated with C and P cycling genes were more complex and stable than the sub-networks containing nitrogen cycling genes. Despite core functional genes being located in the middle of each network, they were rarely observed in the metagenomic assembly genomes. Subsequently, the dominant soil properties and microbial activity had greater effects on C cycling gene composition and network, which played essential roles in wheat growth regulation. Overall, wheat yield and biomass were affected differently by straw and plastic film mulching treatments, and were mainly regulated by C cycling gene network and soil multifunctionality, respectively. The results of the present study provide novel insights into wheat growth regulation by soil microbial functional profiles, with potential implications for sustainable crop production in mulching conservation agroecosystems.

Urea fertilization increased CO2 and CH4 emissions by enhancing C-cycling genes in semi-arid grasslands

Global climate change is predicted to increase exogenous N input into terrestrial ecosystems, leading to significant changes in soil C-cycling. However, it remains largely unknown how these changes affect soil C-cycling, especially in semi-arid grasslands, which are one of the most vulnerable ecosystems. Here, based on a 3-year field study involving N additions (0, 25, 50, and 100 kg ha-1 yr-1 of urea) in a semi-arid grassland on the Loess Plateau, we investigated the impact of urea fertilization on plant characteristics, soil properties, CO2 and CH4 emissions, and microbial C cycling genes. The compositions of genes involved in C cycling, including C fixation, degradation, methanogenesis, and methane oxidation, were determined using metagenomics analysis. We found that N enrichment increased both above- and belowground biomasses and soil organic C content, but this positive effect was weakened when excessive N was input (N100). N enrichment also altered the C-cycling processes by modifying C-cycle-related genes, specifically stimulating the Calvin cycle C-fixation process, which led to an increase in the relative abundance of cbbS, prkB, and cbbL genes. However, it had no significant effect on the Reductive citrate cycle and 3-hydroxypropionate bi-cycle. N enrichment led to higher soil CO2 and CH4 emissions compared to treatments without added N. This increase showed significant correlations with C degradation genes (bglA, per, and lpo), methanogenesis genes (mch, ftr, and mcr), methane oxidation genes (pmoA, pmoB, and pmoC), and the abundance of microbial taxa harboring these genes. Microbial C-cycling genes were primarily influenced by N-induced changes in soil properties. Specifically, reduced soil pH largely explained the alterations in methane metabolism, while elevated available N levels were mainly responsible for the shift in C fixation and C degradation genes. Our results suggest that soil N enrichment enhances microbial C-cycling processes and soil CO2 and CH4 emissions in semi-arid ecosystems, which contributes to more accurate predictions of ecosystem C-cycling under future climate change.

Patterns and abiotic drivers of soil organic carbon in perennial tea (Camellia sinensis L.) plantation system of China

Understanding soil organic carbon (SOC), the largest carbon (C) pool of a terrestrial ecosystem, is essential for mitigating climate change. Currently, the spatial patterns and drivers of SOC in the plantations of tea, a perennial leaf crop, remain unclear. Therefore, the present study surveyed SOC across the main tea-producing areas of China, which is the largest tea producer in the world. We analyzed the soil samples from tea plantations under different scenarios, such as provinces, regions [southwest China (SW), south China (SC), south Yangtze (SY), and north Yangtze (NY)], climatic zones (temperate, subtropical, and tropical), and cultivars [large-leaf (LL) and middle or small-leaf (ML) cultivars]. Preliminary analysis revealed that most tea-producing areas (45%) had SOC content ranging from 10 to 20 g kg-1. The highest SOC was recorded for Yunnan among the various provinces, the SW tea-producing area among the four regions, the tropical region among the different climatic zones, and the areas with LL cultivars compared to those with ML cultivars. Further Pearson correlation analysis demonstrated significant associations between SOC and soil variables and random forest modeling (RF) identified that total nitrogen (TN) and available aluminum [Ava(Al)] of soil explained the maximum differences in SOC. Besides, a large indirect effect of geography (latitude and altitude) on SOC was detected through partial least squares path modeling (PLS-PM) analysis. Thus, the study revealed a high spatial heterogeneity in SOC across the major tea-producing areas of China. The findings also serve as a basis for planning fertilization strategies and C sequestration policies for tea plantations.

Nitrogen addition increased soil particulate organic carbon via plant carbon input whereas reduced mineral-associated organic carbon through attenuating mineral protection in agroecosystem

Nitrogen (N) addition can have substantial impacts on both aboveground and belowground processes such as plant productivity, microbial activity, and soil properties, which in turn alters the fate of soil organic carbon (SOC). However, how N addition affects various SOC fractions such as particulate organic carbon (POC) and mineral-associated organic carbon (MAOC), particularly in agroecosystem, and the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, plant biomass (grain yield, straw biomass, and root biomass), soil chemical properties (pH, N availability, exchangeable cations and amorphous Al/Fe - (hydr) oxides) and microbial characteristics (biomass and functional genes) in response to a N addition experiment (0, 150, 225, 300, and 375 kg ha-1) in paddy soil were investigated to explore the predominant controls of POC and MAOC. Our results showed that POC significantly increased, while MAOC decreased under N addition (p < 0.05). Correlation analysis and PLSPM results suggested that increased C input, as indicated by root biomass, predominated the increase in POC. The declined MAOC was not mainly dominated by microbial control, but was strongly associated with the attenuated mineral protection (especially Ca2+) induced by soil acidification under N addition. Collectively, our results emphasized the importance of combining C input and soil chemistry in predicting soil C dynamics and thereby determining soil organic C storage in response to N addition in rice agroecosystem.