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Arbuscular Mycorrhizal and Trichoderma longibrachiatum Enhance Soil Quality and Improve Microbial Community Structure in Albic Soil Under Straw Return

Summary

Researchers found that combining two beneficial soil fungi—arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and Trichoderma longibrachiatum—significantly improved poor quality albic soils when straw was returned to fields. The combined treatment increased soil pH, nutrients, and enzyme activity while promoting beneficial bacteria like Sphingomonas. This microbial approach offers farmers a sustainable, environmentally friendly way to restore degraded soils and improve agricultural productivity in regions with challenging soil conditions.

Background

Albic soils are acidic, nutrient-deficient degraded soils distributed across 32 countries that significantly limit agricultural productivity. Microbial inoculants combined with straw return represent promising biotechnological approaches to enhance soil quality and microbial activity in these challenging soil types.

Objective

This study investigated the effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and Trichoderma longibrachiatum, individually and in combination, on soil quality and microbial community structure in albic soil under straw-returning conditions in a soybean cultivation system.

Results

Combined AMF and T. longibrachiatum treatment significantly increased soil pH by 3.8%, total nitrogen by 19.2%, total phosphorus by 10.9%, and enhanced cellulase, β-glucosidase, and lignin peroxidase activities by 24.9-77.6%. The combined treatment increased Sphingomonas abundance and aerobic chemoheterotrophic bacteria, improving the soil quality index by 78.9% compared to control.

Conclusion

Co-inoculation with AMF and T. longibrachiatum synergistically enhances albic soil quality through improved enzyme activities, nutrient accumulation, and favorable microbial community restructuring. This integrated approach represents an effective biotechnological strategy for remediating degraded albic soils under field conditions.
  • Published in:Journal of Fungi (Basel),
  • Study Type:Field Experiment,
  • Source: 10.3390/jof11100747, PMID: 41149936
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