Sustainable enhancement of acidic soil fertility through integrated soil amendments: A metagenomic evaluation of fungal functional improvement
TL;DR
Metabarcoding analysis provides novel evidence that ameliorant application restructured fungal communities in acidic soils and changed soil chemical properties, highlighting the potential of combining biological and organic ameliorants as a sustainable soil amelioration strategy to enhance fungal community activity.
Abstract
Acid soil is characterized by low pH, which restricts nutrient availability and disrupts overall soil biological functioning. Soil ameliorants, such as Hermetia illucens (black soldier fly; BSF) frass, lime, and biochar, are widely applied to restore the fertility of acidic soils by improving both physicochemical and biological properties. This study evaluated the dynamics of the fungal community in acidic Typic Hapludult soil under three conditions: untreated soil, BSF frass, and ameliorant-treated soil. For each condition, 1000 g of material was placed in plastic containers and incubated at room temperature for three months. The ameliorant-treated condition consisted of 5 g BSF frass, 5 g lime, 2.5 g homogenized arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi inoculum, and 987.5 g soil. Fungal communities were characterized using Illumina-based next-generation sequencing, while soil chemical parameters were analyzed by spectrophotometry and atomic absorption spectrometry. Metabarcoding analysis provides novel evidence that ameliorant application restructured fungal communities in acidic soils and changed soil chemical properties. Order Onygenales and families Aspergillaceae, Chaetomiaceae, and Terramycetaceae correlated positively with soil pH, base cations (K+, Na+, Ca2+, and Mg2+), and soil organic carbon, and negatively with Al3+. In contrast, families Microascaceae and Saccharomycetaceae correlated positively with Al3+ and available phosphorus, and negatively with base cations and cation exchange capacity. The findings highlight the potential of combining biological and organic ameliorants as a sustainable soil amelioration strategy to enhance fungal community activity.