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Elucidation of Mechanism of Soil Degradation Caused by Continuous Cropping of Dictyophora rubrovalvata Using Metagenomic and Metabolomic Technologies

Summary

When farmers grow Dictyophora rubrovalvata mushrooms in the same soil repeatedly, the soil becomes degraded and mushroom production fails. Scientists found that repeated cultivation changes the soil’s microbe populations, reducing beneficial bacteria while increasing harmful fungi, and toxic compounds accumulate that further damage mushroom growth. By understanding these mechanisms through DNA sequencing and chemical analysis, better strategies can be developed to maintain healthy soil for sustainable mushroom farming.

Background

Dictyophora rubrovalvata is a soil-cultivated edible fungus with high economic and medicinal value, but continuous cultivation is frequently hindered by cropping obstacles. Long-term monoculture leads to weakened mycelial growth, poor fruiting body development, and increased pest and disease outbreaks.

Objective

This study employed metagenomic sequencing and untargeted metabolomics to elucidate the ecological mechanisms underlying soil degradation caused by continuous cropping of Dictyophora rubrovalvata by analyzing changes in soil microbial communities and metabolite profiles.

Results

Continuous cropping significantly decreased soil pH and available phosphorus while increasing available nitrogen. Fungal diversity increased significantly, with beneficial bacteria like Sphingomonas declining from 15.63% to 1.12% and pathogenic Aspergillus increasing from 0.06% to 3.06%. A total of 1408 secondary metabolites were detected, with autotoxic compounds including ferulic acid and jasmonic acid enriched and positively correlated with pathogenic fungi.

Conclusion

Continuous cropping reshapes the soil microecosystem by promoting accumulation of autotoxic metabolites and enrichment of pathogenic microbes, thereby contributing to soil degradation and cropping obstacles. The study provides scientific insight into continuous cropping disorder mechanisms to promote sustainable development of soil-cultivated edible fungi.
  • Published in:Microorganisms,
  • Study Type:Experimental Study,
  • Source: 10.3390/microorganisms13092186; PMID: 41011518
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