Dynamic Changes in Rhizosphere Microecology of Ephemeroid Ferula and Their Effects on Soil Quality in Arid Regions
Abstract
As early-spring pioneer ephemeroids in arid and semi-arid regions, Ferula species exert irreplaceable ecological functions through distinctive life-history strategies. However, their impacts on soil microhabitats and soil quality remain unclear. Taking Ferula species (Ferula feruloides, Ferula lehmannii, Ferula krylovii, and Ferula sinkiangensis) as the research subject, this study conducted a comprehensive analysis of the soil abiotic (physicochemical properties) and biological (microbial (bacterial/fungal) community diversity, composition, structure, and co-occurrence networks) factors as well as their correlations in the Ferula-planted areas (EX) and the unplanted areas (CK), and comprehensively assessed the soil quality index (SQI). Results showed the following: (1) The EX significantly affected soil nutrient contents and microbial community diversity indices (p < 0.05), with interspecific specificity and temporal dynamics. (2) The EX enhanced the stability/connectivity of microbial co-occurrence networks but reduced connection density (opposite to CK). (3) Changes in soil physicochemical factors were correlated with variations in the composition and distribution of rhizosphere microbial communities in Ferula species, with bacteria showing closer associations with soil nutrients and fungi with soil properties. Additionally, rhizosphere bacterial diversity indices explained the greatest proportion of SQI improvement. This study clarifies relationships of Ferula to the “soil−microbe−quality” continuum, providing scientific support for arid-region soil remediation, vegetation protection, and ecosystem stability.