摘要
Climate change has caused high weather variability,affecting crop production in arid and semi-arid regions.Circular buffer strips(CBS)of perennial native grasses can produce crops with less irrigation water while providing other ecological NO3 services.This study investigated the impact of CBS grasses on microbial abundances and soil health in water-limited semi-arid agroecosystems over five years(2017−2021).Experimental plots included corn(Zea mays L.)with and without buffer strips grass(BSG)in two adjoining center pivots.Soil samples were collected from 0−20,20−40,40−60,and 60−80 cm depths and analyzed for microbial community composition using phospholipid fatty acid(PLFA)indicators.Soils under BSG had greater biomass after the third year(37%),and this increase in microbial biomass was particularly mycorrhizal fungi.A significant decrease in microbial biomass with soil depths was also observed.Microbial biomass growth was strongly associated with annual precipitation,with water availability influencing the upper layers(0−20 and 20−40 cm)and soil nutrients,mainly nitrogen(NO_(3)^(-)-N)and pH,affecting the deeper layers(40−60 and 60−80 cm).Incorporating BSG in cropping systems modifies soil microbial communities,primarily the fungal component while increasing soil health and boosting plant-soil microbial interactions.
基金
USDA NIFA(Grant#2020-67019-31155)
USDA NRCS(GR0007378)
the NMSU Agriculture Experiment Station for financial support of the project.
