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Symbiotic fungal endophyte Phomopsis liquidambari‐ rice system promotes nitrogen transformation by influencing below‐ground straw decomposition in paddy soil
Author(s) -
Sun K.,
Cao W.,
Hu L.Y.,
Fu W.Q.,
Gong J.H.,
Kang N.,
Dai C.C.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
journal of applied microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.889
H-Index - 156
eISSN - 1365-2672
pISSN - 1364-5072
DOI - 10.1111/jam.14111
Subject(s) - endophyte , straw , nitrogen , agronomy , chemistry , biology , horticulture , botany , organic chemistry
Aims To explore if and how symbiotic Phomopsis liquidambari ‐rice system influences below‐ground straw decomposition and then nitrogen(N) transformation in response to environmental N levels. Methods and Results Litter bag experiments were utilized to trace the decay process during rice growth phases (seedling (T1), tillering (T2), heading (T3) and maturing (T4) stage), with (E+) and without endophyte (E−), under low ( LN ), medium ( MN ) and high nitrogen ( HN ) supply. Litter, soil and plant samples were collected to evaluate the decay process, N transformations, plant quality and relative abundance of soil ammonia‐oxidizing archaea ( AOA ), ammonia‐oxidizing bacteria ( AOB ) and P. liquidambari . The results showed that straw decomposition increased by 19·76% ( LN , T2 stage), 14·05% ( MN , T3 stage) and 16·88% ( MN , T4 stage) in E+ pots when compared with E− pots. Further analysis revealed that no significant endophyte × N interaction was found for straw decay rate and that the decay rate was reduced by a higher N supply ( LN , 37·16 ± 0·65%; MN , 32·27 ± 1·72%; HN , 29·44 ± 1·22%) at the T1 stage, whereas straw decay rate and N release increased by 9·38 and 11·16%, respectively, mainly by endophyte colonization at the T4 stage. The abundance of AOA and AOB were altered, corresponding with the decay rate. Soil mineral N, straw mineral N and plant quality were shown to increase in E+ pots, depending on environmental N conditions and growth phase. The yield increased by 2·98% for E+ plants under MN level. Conclusions Symbiotic P. liquidambari ‐rice system promoted below‐ground straw decomposition and N transformation, depending on environmental N levels and plant growth phase. Significance and Impact of the Study This study provides evidence that fungal endophyte–plant systems are able to promote N transformation by increasing straw decomposition. A reasonable combination of N inputs could enhance its advantage in agriculture ecosystems.