Available Nitrogen as the Determinant of Variability in Soil Microbial Communities Throughout <i>Lycium chinense</i> Growth Zones in the Qaidam Basin, Qinghai, China

Understanding the compositional and functional dynamics of soil microbial communities is crucial for optimizing soil fertility and promoting agricultural sustainability. In this study, the spatial variability of soil properties and microbial communities was investigated across four <i>Lycium c...

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Main Authors: Qianqian Su, Jie Li, Jingui Wang, Gang Li, Yang Sun, Xiaoqin Liu, Lan Luo, Xinrui Wang, Guilong Zhang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-02-01
Series:Agriculture
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/15/5/496
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author Qianqian Su
Jie Li
Jingui Wang
Gang Li
Yang Sun
Xiaoqin Liu
Lan Luo
Xinrui Wang
Guilong Zhang
author_facet Qianqian Su
Jie Li
Jingui Wang
Gang Li
Yang Sun
Xiaoqin Liu
Lan Luo
Xinrui Wang
Guilong Zhang
author_sort Qianqian Su
collection DOAJ
description Understanding the compositional and functional dynamics of soil microbial communities is crucial for optimizing soil fertility and promoting agricultural sustainability. In this study, the spatial variability of soil properties and microbial communities was investigated across four <i>Lycium chinense</i> growing regions (Golmud, Dengle, Delingha and Ulan) around Qaidam Basin in China, aiming to explore their relationships and implications for soil management. Soil samples were collected from four <i>Lycium chinense</i> growing regions around the Qaidam Basin, China, and analyzed for changes in bacterial and fungal communities using high-throughput amplicon sequencing targeting the 16S rRNA gene and ITS region, respectively. The results showed spatial heterogeneity of soil fertility around the Qinghai Basin. The soil organic matter peaked at 17.89 g/kg in WL, compared to a low of 6.72 g/kg in GLMD, while soil nitrate concentrations reached a maximum of 188.91 mg/kg in WL versus 47.48 mg/kg in GLMD. The soil nitrate and ammonium concentrations emerged as a key factor influencing the <i>β</i>-diversity of microbial communities, despite having no significant effect on <i>α</i>-diversity. Through network analysis and Z-P plots, 53 keystone microbial taxa such as <i>Truepera</i>, <i>Metarhizium</i>, and <i>Gemmatimonas</i> were identified, which were closely associated with nitrogen fixation, nitrification, and denitrification, suggesting essential roles in nitrogen cycling and ecosystem stability. Furthermore, the nutrient-rich eastern regions had more complex microbial co-occurrence networks and a greater abundance of keystone microbial species compared to the nutrient-poor western regions. In conclusion, this study offers insights into soil management to enhance soil health and promote sustainable agricultural production in high-altitude areas.
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spelling doaj-art-ce86a6c4b66b4e5b99e4580197f014f62025-08-20T02:59:07ZengMDPI AGAgriculture2077-04722025-02-0115549610.3390/agriculture15050496Available Nitrogen as the Determinant of Variability in Soil Microbial Communities Throughout <i>Lycium chinense</i> Growth Zones in the Qaidam Basin, Qinghai, ChinaQianqian Su0Jie Li1Jingui Wang2Gang Li3Yang Sun4Xiaoqin Liu5Lan Luo6Xinrui Wang7Guilong Zhang8Agro-Environmental Protection Institute, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Tianjin 300191, ChinaAgro-Environmental Protection Institute, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Tianjin 300191, ChinaCollege of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, Qinghai University, Xining 810016, ChinaAgro-Environmental Protection Institute, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Tianjin 300191, ChinaAgro-Environmental Protection Institute, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Tianjin 300191, ChinaThe Forestry Department of Hunan Province, Changsha 410004, ChinaAgro-Environmental Protection Institute, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Tianjin 300191, ChinaAgro-Environmental Protection Institute, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Tianjin 300191, ChinaAgro-Environmental Protection Institute, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Tianjin 300191, ChinaUnderstanding the compositional and functional dynamics of soil microbial communities is crucial for optimizing soil fertility and promoting agricultural sustainability. In this study, the spatial variability of soil properties and microbial communities was investigated across four <i>Lycium chinense</i> growing regions (Golmud, Dengle, Delingha and Ulan) around Qaidam Basin in China, aiming to explore their relationships and implications for soil management. Soil samples were collected from four <i>Lycium chinense</i> growing regions around the Qaidam Basin, China, and analyzed for changes in bacterial and fungal communities using high-throughput amplicon sequencing targeting the 16S rRNA gene and ITS region, respectively. The results showed spatial heterogeneity of soil fertility around the Qinghai Basin. The soil organic matter peaked at 17.89 g/kg in WL, compared to a low of 6.72 g/kg in GLMD, while soil nitrate concentrations reached a maximum of 188.91 mg/kg in WL versus 47.48 mg/kg in GLMD. The soil nitrate and ammonium concentrations emerged as a key factor influencing the <i>β</i>-diversity of microbial communities, despite having no significant effect on <i>α</i>-diversity. Through network analysis and Z-P plots, 53 keystone microbial taxa such as <i>Truepera</i>, <i>Metarhizium</i>, and <i>Gemmatimonas</i> were identified, which were closely associated with nitrogen fixation, nitrification, and denitrification, suggesting essential roles in nitrogen cycling and ecosystem stability. Furthermore, the nutrient-rich eastern regions had more complex microbial co-occurrence networks and a greater abundance of keystone microbial species compared to the nutrient-poor western regions. In conclusion, this study offers insights into soil management to enhance soil health and promote sustainable agricultural production in high-altitude areas.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/15/5/496<i>Lycium chinense</i> cultivated regionsoil fertilitysoil microbial communitieskeystone taxa
spellingShingle Qianqian Su
Jie Li
Jingui Wang
Gang Li
Yang Sun
Xiaoqin Liu
Lan Luo
Xinrui Wang
Guilong Zhang
Available Nitrogen as the Determinant of Variability in Soil Microbial Communities Throughout <i>Lycium chinense</i> Growth Zones in the Qaidam Basin, Qinghai, China
Agriculture
<i>Lycium chinense</i> cultivated region
soil fertility
soil microbial communities
keystone taxa
title Available Nitrogen as the Determinant of Variability in Soil Microbial Communities Throughout <i>Lycium chinense</i> Growth Zones in the Qaidam Basin, Qinghai, China
title_full Available Nitrogen as the Determinant of Variability in Soil Microbial Communities Throughout <i>Lycium chinense</i> Growth Zones in the Qaidam Basin, Qinghai, China
title_fullStr Available Nitrogen as the Determinant of Variability in Soil Microbial Communities Throughout <i>Lycium chinense</i> Growth Zones in the Qaidam Basin, Qinghai, China
title_full_unstemmed Available Nitrogen as the Determinant of Variability in Soil Microbial Communities Throughout <i>Lycium chinense</i> Growth Zones in the Qaidam Basin, Qinghai, China
title_short Available Nitrogen as the Determinant of Variability in Soil Microbial Communities Throughout <i>Lycium chinense</i> Growth Zones in the Qaidam Basin, Qinghai, China
title_sort available nitrogen as the determinant of variability in soil microbial communities throughout i lycium chinense i growth zones in the qaidam basin qinghai china
topic <i>Lycium chinense</i> cultivated region
soil fertility
soil microbial communities
keystone taxa
url https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/15/5/496
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