Optimizing Maize Production and Soil Microbiome Structure Through Reduced Chemical Nitrogen Supplemented with Organic Fertilizer
This study investigated the effects of reduced nitrogen combined with an organic fertilizer on maize yield, soil microbial communities, and enzyme activities to optimize fertilization strategies. A field experiment on cinnamon soil in Yuncheng, Shanxi, was conducted and included six treatments: no f...
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2025-07-01
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| author | Jian Zhang Yaoyao Li Jiawei Yuan Lu Wang Guoying Wei Zhejun Liang |
| author_facet | Jian Zhang Yaoyao Li Jiawei Yuan Lu Wang Guoying Wei Zhejun Liang |
| author_sort | Jian Zhang |
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| description | This study investigated the effects of reduced nitrogen combined with an organic fertilizer on maize yield, soil microbial communities, and enzyme activities to optimize fertilization strategies. A field experiment on cinnamon soil in Yuncheng, Shanxi, was conducted and included six treatments: no fertilizer (CK), conventional N (NC0, 180 kg N/ha), sole organic fertilizer (CN0, 3000 kg/ha), and reduced-N + organic fertilizer (CN1: 90 kg N/ha + 3000 kg/ha; CN2: 135 kg N/ha + 3000 kg/ha; and CN3: 180 kg N/ha + 3000 kg/ha). We analyzed yield components, soil nutrients, urease and invertase activities, and bacterial community structure (16S rRNA sequencing). The key results are as follows: CN1 achieved the highest yield (9764.87 kg/ha), which was 46.8% higher than CK. CN2 maintained comparable yields while delivering higher enzyme activities and microbial abundance, positioning this strategy as suitable for soil remediation. Co-application enriched two beneficial phyla, Proteobacteria and Planctomycetota (19% in CN2), with Proteobacteria positively correlating with urease activity and alkali-hydrolyzable N (<i>p</i> < 0.05), while Verrucomicrobiota negatively correlated with urease activity. In conclusion, 25–50% N reduction with an organic fertilizer (3000 kg/ha) synergistically enhances yield, soil enzymes, and beneficial microbiota, supporting sustainable high-yield agriculture with improved soil fertility. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-dbfbcba20d9e48abbddf590d810dc6ca |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2223-7747 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
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| spelling | doaj-art-dbfbcba20d9e48abbddf590d810dc6ca2025-08-20T03:36:22ZengMDPI AGPlants2223-77472025-07-011415227510.3390/plants14152275Optimizing Maize Production and Soil Microbiome Structure Through Reduced Chemical Nitrogen Supplemented with Organic FertilizerJian Zhang0Yaoyao Li1Jiawei Yuan2Lu Wang3Guoying Wei4Zhejun Liang5Cotton Research Institute, Shanxi Agricultural University, Yuncheng 044000, ChinaCotton Research Institute, Shanxi Agricultural University, Yuncheng 044000, ChinaCotton Research Institute, Shanxi Agricultural University, Yuncheng 044000, ChinaCotton Research Institute, Shanxi Agricultural University, Yuncheng 044000, ChinaCotton Research Institute, Shanxi Agricultural University, Yuncheng 044000, ChinaCotton Research Institute, Shanxi Agricultural University, Yuncheng 044000, ChinaThis study investigated the effects of reduced nitrogen combined with an organic fertilizer on maize yield, soil microbial communities, and enzyme activities to optimize fertilization strategies. A field experiment on cinnamon soil in Yuncheng, Shanxi, was conducted and included six treatments: no fertilizer (CK), conventional N (NC0, 180 kg N/ha), sole organic fertilizer (CN0, 3000 kg/ha), and reduced-N + organic fertilizer (CN1: 90 kg N/ha + 3000 kg/ha; CN2: 135 kg N/ha + 3000 kg/ha; and CN3: 180 kg N/ha + 3000 kg/ha). We analyzed yield components, soil nutrients, urease and invertase activities, and bacterial community structure (16S rRNA sequencing). The key results are as follows: CN1 achieved the highest yield (9764.87 kg/ha), which was 46.8% higher than CK. CN2 maintained comparable yields while delivering higher enzyme activities and microbial abundance, positioning this strategy as suitable for soil remediation. Co-application enriched two beneficial phyla, Proteobacteria and Planctomycetota (19% in CN2), with Proteobacteria positively correlating with urease activity and alkali-hydrolyzable N (<i>p</i> < 0.05), while Verrucomicrobiota negatively correlated with urease activity. In conclusion, 25–50% N reduction with an organic fertilizer (3000 kg/ha) synergistically enhances yield, soil enzymes, and beneficial microbiota, supporting sustainable high-yield agriculture with improved soil fertility.https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/15/2275maizeintegrated application of chemical and organic fertilizerssoil microorganismsenzymesgrain yield |
| spellingShingle | Jian Zhang Yaoyao Li Jiawei Yuan Lu Wang Guoying Wei Zhejun Liang Optimizing Maize Production and Soil Microbiome Structure Through Reduced Chemical Nitrogen Supplemented with Organic Fertilizer Plants maize integrated application of chemical and organic fertilizers soil microorganisms enzymes grain yield |
| title | Optimizing Maize Production and Soil Microbiome Structure Through Reduced Chemical Nitrogen Supplemented with Organic Fertilizer |
| title_full | Optimizing Maize Production and Soil Microbiome Structure Through Reduced Chemical Nitrogen Supplemented with Organic Fertilizer |
| title_fullStr | Optimizing Maize Production and Soil Microbiome Structure Through Reduced Chemical Nitrogen Supplemented with Organic Fertilizer |
| title_full_unstemmed | Optimizing Maize Production and Soil Microbiome Structure Through Reduced Chemical Nitrogen Supplemented with Organic Fertilizer |
| title_short | Optimizing Maize Production and Soil Microbiome Structure Through Reduced Chemical Nitrogen Supplemented with Organic Fertilizer |
| title_sort | optimizing maize production and soil microbiome structure through reduced chemical nitrogen supplemented with organic fertilizer |
| topic | maize integrated application of chemical and organic fertilizers soil microorganisms enzymes grain yield |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/15/2275 |
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