Mechanistic insights from metagenomics into the early-stage quality improvement of licorice under partial replacement of chemical by organic fertilizers
Substituting chemical fertilizers with organic alternatives has gained increasing attention for its potential to enhance crop yield, quality, and soil health. In the early stages of licorice cultivation, the short-term effects of organic fertilization on microbial community dynamics, soil properties...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Plant Science |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2025.1613771/full |
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| author | Jiancai Xiao Pengchao Gao Kunyang Lai Kunyang Lai Yan Binbin Sheng Wang Yuping Zhao Xiufu Wan Chaogeng Lyu Chuanzhi Kang Lanping Guo Yan Zhang |
| author_facet | Jiancai Xiao Pengchao Gao Kunyang Lai Kunyang Lai Yan Binbin Sheng Wang Yuping Zhao Xiufu Wan Chaogeng Lyu Chuanzhi Kang Lanping Guo Yan Zhang |
| author_sort | Jiancai Xiao |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Substituting chemical fertilizers with organic alternatives has gained increasing attention for its potential to enhance crop yield, quality, and soil health. In the early stages of licorice cultivation, the short-term effects of organic fertilization on microbial community dynamics, soil properties, and bioactive compound accumulation remain insufficiently understood. A metagenomic approach was applied to analyze microbial compositions in both bulk and rhizosphere soils under different fertilization treatments. Results showed that organic fertilization significantly increased licorice yield and the accumulation of bioactive compounds compared to chemical fertilization. Full organic substitution improved soil nutrient content, organic matter, and carbon levels while reducing enzyme activities such as urease and protease. Additionally, organic fertilization promoted bacterial diversity, with notable increases in Actinobacteria and fungal taxa such as Ascomycota and Basidiomycota. Correlations between soil microbial communities, enzyme activity, and secondary metabolite synthesis—particularly glycyrrhizic acid—were observed. These findings suggest that organic fertilization fosters microbial diversity and soil health, ultimately benefiting licorice production and quality in the early stages of cultivation while contributing to sustainable agricultural practices. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-ada962103a194bab9e51d291decd6c0d |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1664-462X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Plant Science |
| spelling | doaj-art-ada962103a194bab9e51d291decd6c0d2025-08-20T03:32:31ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Plant Science1664-462X2025-06-011610.3389/fpls.2025.16137711613771Mechanistic insights from metagenomics into the early-stage quality improvement of licorice under partial replacement of chemical by organic fertilizersJiancai Xiao0Pengchao Gao1Kunyang Lai2Kunyang Lai3Yan Binbin4Sheng Wang5Yuping Zhao6Xiufu Wan7Chaogeng Lyu8Chuanzhi Kang9Lanping Guo10Yan Zhang11National Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, ChinaNational Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, ChinaNational Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, ChinaSchool of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, ChinaNational Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, ChinaNational Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, ChinaNational Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, ChinaNational Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, ChinaNational Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, ChinaNational Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, ChinaNational Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, ChinaNational Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, ChinaSubstituting chemical fertilizers with organic alternatives has gained increasing attention for its potential to enhance crop yield, quality, and soil health. In the early stages of licorice cultivation, the short-term effects of organic fertilization on microbial community dynamics, soil properties, and bioactive compound accumulation remain insufficiently understood. A metagenomic approach was applied to analyze microbial compositions in both bulk and rhizosphere soils under different fertilization treatments. Results showed that organic fertilization significantly increased licorice yield and the accumulation of bioactive compounds compared to chemical fertilization. Full organic substitution improved soil nutrient content, organic matter, and carbon levels while reducing enzyme activities such as urease and protease. Additionally, organic fertilization promoted bacterial diversity, with notable increases in Actinobacteria and fungal taxa such as Ascomycota and Basidiomycota. Correlations between soil microbial communities, enzyme activity, and secondary metabolite synthesis—particularly glycyrrhizic acid—were observed. These findings suggest that organic fertilization fosters microbial diversity and soil health, ultimately benefiting licorice production and quality in the early stages of cultivation while contributing to sustainable agricultural practices.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2025.1613771/fulllicoricemetagenomicsrational fertilizationmicrobiologyqualitysoil |
| spellingShingle | Jiancai Xiao Pengchao Gao Kunyang Lai Kunyang Lai Yan Binbin Sheng Wang Yuping Zhao Xiufu Wan Chaogeng Lyu Chuanzhi Kang Lanping Guo Yan Zhang Mechanistic insights from metagenomics into the early-stage quality improvement of licorice under partial replacement of chemical by organic fertilizers Frontiers in Plant Science licorice metagenomics rational fertilization microbiology quality soil |
| title | Mechanistic insights from metagenomics into the early-stage quality improvement of licorice under partial replacement of chemical by organic fertilizers |
| title_full | Mechanistic insights from metagenomics into the early-stage quality improvement of licorice under partial replacement of chemical by organic fertilizers |
| title_fullStr | Mechanistic insights from metagenomics into the early-stage quality improvement of licorice under partial replacement of chemical by organic fertilizers |
| title_full_unstemmed | Mechanistic insights from metagenomics into the early-stage quality improvement of licorice under partial replacement of chemical by organic fertilizers |
| title_short | Mechanistic insights from metagenomics into the early-stage quality improvement of licorice under partial replacement of chemical by organic fertilizers |
| title_sort | mechanistic insights from metagenomics into the early stage quality improvement of licorice under partial replacement of chemical by organic fertilizers |
| topic | licorice metagenomics rational fertilization microbiology quality soil |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2025.1613771/full |
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