Varying effects of Vicia sativa and Vicia villosa on bacterial composition and enzyme activities in nutrient-deficient sugarcane soils under greenhouse conditions
Abstract Declining soil health and productivity are key challenges faced by sugarcane small-scale growers in South Africa. Incorporating Vicia sativa and Vicia villosa as cover crops can improve soil health by enhancing nutrient-cycling enzyme activities and nitrogen (N) contributions while promotin...
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Nature Portfolio
2025-01-01
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-87910-y |
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| author | Emihle Ngonini María A. Pérez-Fernández Anathi Magadlela |
| author_facet | Emihle Ngonini María A. Pérez-Fernández Anathi Magadlela |
| author_sort | Emihle Ngonini |
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| description | Abstract Declining soil health and productivity are key challenges faced by sugarcane small-scale growers in South Africa. Incorporating Vicia sativa and Vicia villosa as cover crops can improve soil health by enhancing nutrient-cycling enzyme activities and nitrogen (N) contributions while promoting the presence of beneficial bacteria in the rhizosphere. A greenhouse experiment was conducted to evaluate the chemical and biological inputs of V. sativa and V. villosa in nutrient-deficient, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) sugarcane plantation soils. The nutrient concentrations, N and phosphorus (P) cycling bacteria, and extracellular enzyme activities of 5 soils were determined pre-planting and post-V. sativa and V. villosa harvest. Post-harvesting soils had higher pH levels than pre-planting soils. The number of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria increased post-V. sativa and V. villosa harvest, with Arthrobacter, Burkholderia, Paraburkholderia and Pseudomonas as the dominant genera. Acid phosphatase and glucosidase activities increased, with Mvutshini and Mzinto showing the most significant increases (phosphatase: 18.66 to 84.67 for V. villosa, 90.33 for V. sativa; glucosidase: 15.33 to 83 for V. villosa and 105 µmolh− 1g− 1 for V. sativa). In conclusion, V. sativa and V. villosa increased PGPR, pH and enzyme activities, making them viable cover crops for nutrient-deficient sugarcane soils. |
| format | Article |
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| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
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| spelling | doaj-art-9772ef3372f04226bcb1121c71a2239a2025-02-02T12:21:45ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-01-0115111610.1038/s41598-025-87910-yVarying effects of Vicia sativa and Vicia villosa on bacterial composition and enzyme activities in nutrient-deficient sugarcane soils under greenhouse conditionsEmihle Ngonini0María A. Pérez-Fernández1Anathi Magadlela2School of Life Sciences, College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal (Westville Campus)Department of Physical, Chemical and Natural Systems, Universidad Pablo de OlavideSchool of Life Sciences, College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal (Westville Campus)Abstract Declining soil health and productivity are key challenges faced by sugarcane small-scale growers in South Africa. Incorporating Vicia sativa and Vicia villosa as cover crops can improve soil health by enhancing nutrient-cycling enzyme activities and nitrogen (N) contributions while promoting the presence of beneficial bacteria in the rhizosphere. A greenhouse experiment was conducted to evaluate the chemical and biological inputs of V. sativa and V. villosa in nutrient-deficient, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) sugarcane plantation soils. The nutrient concentrations, N and phosphorus (P) cycling bacteria, and extracellular enzyme activities of 5 soils were determined pre-planting and post-V. sativa and V. villosa harvest. Post-harvesting soils had higher pH levels than pre-planting soils. The number of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria increased post-V. sativa and V. villosa harvest, with Arthrobacter, Burkholderia, Paraburkholderia and Pseudomonas as the dominant genera. Acid phosphatase and glucosidase activities increased, with Mvutshini and Mzinto showing the most significant increases (phosphatase: 18.66 to 84.67 for V. villosa, 90.33 for V. sativa; glucosidase: 15.33 to 83 for V. villosa and 105 µmolh− 1g− 1 for V. sativa). In conclusion, V. sativa and V. villosa increased PGPR, pH and enzyme activities, making them viable cover crops for nutrient-deficient sugarcane soils.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-87910-ySmall-scale sugarcane plantationsVicia sativaVicia villosaPlant growth-promoting rhizobacteriaSoil pH |
| spellingShingle | Emihle Ngonini María A. Pérez-Fernández Anathi Magadlela Varying effects of Vicia sativa and Vicia villosa on bacterial composition and enzyme activities in nutrient-deficient sugarcane soils under greenhouse conditions Scientific Reports Small-scale sugarcane plantations Vicia sativa Vicia villosa Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria Soil pH |
| title | Varying effects of Vicia sativa and Vicia villosa on bacterial composition and enzyme activities in nutrient-deficient sugarcane soils under greenhouse conditions |
| title_full | Varying effects of Vicia sativa and Vicia villosa on bacterial composition and enzyme activities in nutrient-deficient sugarcane soils under greenhouse conditions |
| title_fullStr | Varying effects of Vicia sativa and Vicia villosa on bacterial composition and enzyme activities in nutrient-deficient sugarcane soils under greenhouse conditions |
| title_full_unstemmed | Varying effects of Vicia sativa and Vicia villosa on bacterial composition and enzyme activities in nutrient-deficient sugarcane soils under greenhouse conditions |
| title_short | Varying effects of Vicia sativa and Vicia villosa on bacterial composition and enzyme activities in nutrient-deficient sugarcane soils under greenhouse conditions |
| title_sort | varying effects of vicia sativa and vicia villosa on bacterial composition and enzyme activities in nutrient deficient sugarcane soils under greenhouse conditions |
| topic | Small-scale sugarcane plantations Vicia sativa Vicia villosa Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria Soil pH |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-87910-y |
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