We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Cow Dung Liquid Mulch Improves Maize Yields: Beneficial Microorganisms Are Enriched and Environmental Risks Are Reduced and Nutrient Cycling Is Promoted
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers compared cow dung liquid mulch and conventional polyethylene mulch in maize cultivation using metagenomic sequencing, finding that the biodegradable mulch increased maize yield by 30.9%, reduced soil microplastic levels, and enriched beneficial microorganisms including Mycolicibacterium and Pseudomonas. Functional gene analysis showed higher relative abundance of metabolic, nutrient cycling, and organic matter degradation pathways in the cow dung mulch treatment.
Cow dung liquid mulch (CDLM), which uses cow dung as a raw material, has a good degradability and is a potential alternative to traditional plastic agricultural mulch, but there is a lack of research on the effects of CDLM on rhizosphere soil physicochemical properties, rhizosphere soil microbial functions, and crop yields. In this study, the link between maize yield, environmental factors, and functional genes as well as the responses of microbial community functions to CDLM and polyethylene mulch (PE) were studied using metagenomic sequencing. Functional annotation was also performed on clusters of orthologous groups of proteins, the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes, and carbohydrate-active enzyme sequencing data. The results showed that CDLM significantly increased maize yield by 30.9% compared to CK while maintaining lower soil microplastic levels. CDLM promotes the enrichment of beneficial microorganisms such as Mycolicibacterium and Pseudomonas. The relative abundance of functional genes related to microbial metabolism, soil element cycling pathways, and organic matter degradation was significantly higher in CDLM than in CK. Microbial functional genes were positively correlated with maize yield and environmental factors such as soil nutrients. These results suggested that CDLM can improve maize yield by enriching beneficial microorganisms, reducing rhizosphere soil environmental risks, and enhancing rhizosphere soil microbial function. Rhizosphere soil nutrients and microbial functional genes together mediated the positive response of maize yield to CDLM. This study can provide a scientific basis and data support for the safe use of mulch in the future.
More Papers Like This
Effects of microplastics on humification and fungal community during cow manure composting
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers studied how polyethylene, PVC, and biodegradable PHA microplastics affect the composting process of cow manure. They found that all types of microplastics reduced humification quality, decreased fungal community diversity during peak composting temperatures, and some types increased the relative abundance of plant-pathogenic fungi.
Microbial communities on biodegradable plastics under different fertilization practices in farmland soil microcosms.
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that microbial communities colonizing biodegradable plastic mulch films differ significantly from those on conventional polyethylene mulch and are shaped by fertilization type. Manure application increased bacterial diversity on biodegradable plastics while decreasing it on conventional polyethylene.
Distinct influence of conventional and biodegradable microplastics on microbe-driving nitrogen cycling processes in soils and plastispheres as evaluated by metagenomic analysis
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers compared how conventional polyethylene and biodegradable microplastics affect nitrogen cycling by soil microbes. They found that biodegradable microplastics caused stronger changes to microbial communities and nitrogen processing pathways than conventional plastics, particularly by enriching certain bacteria on their surfaces. The study suggests that even biodegradable plastic mulch alternatives may significantly alter soil nutrient cycling in agricultural settings.
Effects of Different Microplastics on Methane Production and Microbial Community Structure in Anaerobic Digestion of Cattle Manure
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers tested how four types of microplastics affect methane production during anaerobic digestion of cattle manure. They found that polyethylene microplastics increased cumulative methane production by nearly 12% by enriching methane-producing microorganisms, while polyhydroxyalkanoate microplastics inhibited methane production by suppressing key methanogenic communities.
Integrated microbiology and metabolomics analysis reveal plastic mulch film residue affects soil microorganisms and their metabolic functions
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers used high-throughput gene sequencing combined with metabolomics to study how plastic mulch film residues affect soil microorganisms and their metabolic functions. They found that mulch film residues significantly altered microbial community composition and disrupted key metabolic pathways in the soil. The study reveals that plastic agricultural film left in soil can interfere with the biological processes that keep soil ecosystems healthy.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.