Agriculture · 2026
Long-Term Differential Fertilization Strategies Enhance Soil Quality and Microbial Metabolic Functions: Evidence from a 45-Year Field Experiment
Shi, J., Lu, Z., Lu, T., Luan, S., Yang, Y., Wu, Z., Wang, Y., Yang, J., Han, X.
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Long-Term Differential Fertilization Strategies Enhance Soil…
Abstract
Fertilization is a regular management approach that can enhance soil fertility and stimulate the proliferation of beneficial microorganisms. However, the prolonged influence of fertilization practices on soil quality, microbial functional characteristics, and the underlying mechanisms still remain incompletely understood. In this study, we examined the impact of various fertilization strategies on the soil quality index (SQI) and community-level physiological profiles (CLPP) during two crop seasons (maize and soybean, respectively) in a 45-year field trial. Four treatments were implemented: unfertilized control (CK), inorganic nitrogen–phosphorus–potassium fertilizer (NPK), organic fertilizer (M), and organic–inorganic fertilization (MNPK). Results showed that across both seasons, NPK application reduced soil pH and the McIntosh index, whereas organic amendments (M and MNPK) notably enhanced total and available nutrients, SQI, microbial biomass, and enzyme activities. CLPP analysis revealed that organic fertilization significantly enhanced microbial metabolic activity and functional diversity, particularly boosting the utilization of carbohydrates (20–38%) and carboxylic acids (18–36%). Random forest modelling indicated available potassium (AK) as the primary driver of carbon metabolic activity in both seasons, revealing its critical role in regulating microbial functions. Functional metabolic diversity during the maize season was most strongly influenced by microbial entropy (qMB), whereas in the soybean season, it was available nitrogen (AN). Additionally, organic fertilization led to an indirect improvement in SQI during the maize and soybean seasons by increasing microbial biomass. In conclusion, the study underscored the importance of long-term organic fertilization for improving soil quality and provided empirical evidence to maintain the sustainable practices of agriculture in Northeast China.
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Fertilization is a regular management approach that can enhance soil fertility and stimulate the proliferation of beneficial microorganisms. However, the prolonged influence of fertilization practices on soil quality, microbial functional characteristics, and the underlying mechanisms still remain incompletely understood. In this study, we examined the impact of various fertilization strategies on the soil quality index (SQI) and community-level physiological profiles (CLPP) during two crop seasons (maize and soybean, respectively) in a 45-year field trial. Four treatments were implemented: unfertilized control (CK), inorganic nitrogen–phosphorus–potassium fertilizer (NPK), organic fertilizer (M), and organic–inorganic fertilization (MNPK). Results showed that across both seasons, NPK application reduced soil pH and the McIntosh index, whereas organic amendments (M and MNPK) notably enhanced total and available nutrients, SQI, microbial biomass, and enzyme activities. CLPP analysis revealed that organic fertilization significantly enhanced microbial metabolic activity and functional diversity, particularly boosting the utilization of carbohydrates (20–38%) and carboxylic acids (18–36%). Random forest modelling indicated available potassium (AK) as the primary driver of carbon metabolic activity in both seasons, revealing its critical role in regulating microbial functions. Functional metabolic diversity during the maize season was most strongly influenced by microbial entropy (qMB), whereas in the soybean season, it was available nitrogen (AN). Additionally, organic fertilization led to an indirect improvement in SQI during the maize and soybean seasons by increasing microbial biomass. In conclusion, the study underscored the importance of long-term organic fertilization for improving soil quality and provided empirical evidence to maintain the sustainable practices of agriculture in Northeast China.
Fertilization is a regular management approach that can enhance soil fertility and stimulate the proliferation of beneficial microorganisms. However, the prolonged influence of fertilization practices on soil quality, microbial functional characteristics, and the underlying mechanisms still remain incompletely understood. In this study, we examined the impact of various fertilization strategies on the soil quality index (SQI) and community-level physiological profiles (CLPP) during two crop seasons (maize and soybean, respectively) in a 45-year field trial. Four treatments were implemented: unfertilized control (CK), inorganic nitrogen–phosphorus–potassium fertilizer (NPK), organic fertilizer (M), and organic–inorganic fertilization (MNPK). Results showed that across both seasons, NPK application reduced soil pH and the McIntosh index, whereas organic amendments (M and MNPK) notably enhanced total and available nutrients, SQI, microbial biomass, and enzyme activities. CLPP analysis revealed that organic fertilization significantly enhanced microbial metabolic activity and functional diversity, particularly boosting the utilization of carbohydrates (20–38%) and carboxylic acids (18–36%). Random forest modelling indicated available potassium (AK) as the primary driver of carbon metabolic activity in both seasons, revealing its critical role in regulating microbial functions. Functional metabolic diversity during the maize season was most strongly influenced by microbial entropy (qMB), whereas in the soybean season, it was available nitrogen (AN). Additionally, organic fertilization led to an indirect improvement in SQI during the maize and soybean seasons by increasing microbial biomass. In conclusion, the study underscored the importance of long-term organic fertilization for improving soil quality and provided empirical evidence to maintain the sustainable practices of agriculture in Northeast China.
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