Soil Microbial Mechanisms to Improve Pear Seedling Growth by Applying Bacillus and Trichoderma‐Amended Biofertilizers

• Published in: Plant, cell and environment Vol. 48; no. 6; pp. 3968 - 3980
• Main Authors: Ma, Yanwei, Zuohereguli, Kuerban, Zhang, Lisheng, Kang, Yalong, Shi, Liwen, Xu, Hao, Ruan, Yang, Wen, Tao, Mei, Xinlan, Dong, Caixia, Xu, Yangchun, Shen, Qirong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.06.2025
• Subjects: activate beneficial microbiome; Agrochemicals; Aspergillus; Bacillus; Bacillus - physiology; Bacillus velezensis; bio-organic fertilizer; Biofertilizers; Biomass; bioorganic fertilizers; Crop yield; environment; fertilizer application; Fertilizers; Fruit trees; Fungi; Hypocreales; iron; Metabolites; microbial communities; Microbiomes; Microbiota; Microorganisms; Mycobacterium; nitrogen; Nitrogen - metabolism; Nutrients; Organic fertilizers; Organic matter; Organic phosphorus; pear tree growth; pears; Penicillium; phosphorus; phytomass; Plant biomass; potassium; Probiotics; Pseudomonas; Pyrus - growth & development; Pyrus - microbiology; Rhizosphere; Rhizosphere microorganisms; Secondary metabolites; seedling growth; Seedlings; Seedlings - growth & development; Seedlings - microbiology; soil; Soil - chemistry; Soil fertility; Soil improvement; soil microbial communities; Soil Microbiology; Soil microorganisms; soil nutrient activation; Soil organic matter; Streptomyces; Sustainable agriculture; tree growth; Trichoderma; Trichoderma - physiology; Trichoderma harzianum; zinc; Trichoderma; soil microbial communities; pear tree growth; soil nutrient activation; Bacillus; bioorganic fertilizers; activate beneficial microbiome
• ISSN: 0140-7791; 1365-3040; 1365-3040
• DOI: 10.1111/pce.15395

ABSTRACT Bacillus velezensis SQR9 or Trichoderma harzianum NJAU4742‐amended bioorganic fertilizers might significantly improve the soil microbial community and crop yields. However, the mechanisms these microorganisms act are far away from distinctness. We combined amplicon sequencing with culturable approaches to investigate the effects of these microorganisms on pear tree growth, rhizosphere nutrients and microbial mechanisms. The SQR9 and T4742 treatments increased the total biomass of pear trees by 68% and 84%, respectively, compared to the conventional organic fertilizer treatment (CK). SQR9 tends to increase soil organic matter and available phosphorus, while T4742 more effectively enhances nitrogen, potassium, iron and zinc levels. These effects were primarily linked to changes in the microbial community. T4742 treatment enriched twice as many differential microbes as SQR9. SQR9 significantly enriched Urebacillus, Streptomyces and Mycobacterium, while T4742 increased the abundance of Pseudomonas, Aspergillus and Penicillium. In vitro experiments revealed that secondary metabolites secreted by B. velezensis SQR9 and T. harzianum NJAU4742 stimulate the growth of key probiotics associated with their respective treatments, enhancing soil fertility and plant biomass. The study revealed the specific roles of these bioorganic fertilizers in agricultural applications, providing new insights for developing effective and targeted bioorganic fertilizer products and promoting sustainable agriculture. Summary Statement Bacillus velezensis SQR9 or Trichoderma harzianum NJAU4742‐amended bioorganic fertilizers can significantly improve soil microbial community and crop yields. However, the biochemical processes and the plant‐microbial response mechanisms after applying these biofertilizers remain unclear. This study used 1‐year‐old ʽSu Cui No. 1’ pear trees as experimental subjects. The experiment explored the characteristics of rhizosphere microbial communities and the key microbial groups that promote pear tree growth under different bioorganic fertilizer treatments through high‐throughput amplicon sequencing, high‐throughput microbial screening and culturing experiments. The SQR9 and T4742 treatments increased the total biomass of pear trees by 68% and 84%, respectively, compared to the conventional organic fertilizer treatment (CK). The SQR9 tends to increase soil organic matter and available phosphorus, while T4742 more effectively enhances nitrogen, potassium, iron and zinc levels. These effects were primarily linked to changes in the microbial community. T4742 treatment enriched twice as many differential microbes as SQR9. SQR9 treatment significantly enriched Urebacillus, Streptomyces and Mycobacterium, while T4742 increased the abundance of Pseudomonas, Aspergillus and Penicillium. In vitro experiments revealed that secondary metabolites secreted by B. velezensis SQR9 and T. harzianum NJAU4742 stimulate the growth of key probiotics associated with their respective treatments, enhancing soil fertility and plant biomass. The study revealed the specific roles of these bioorganic fertilizers in agricultural applications, providing new insights for developing effective and targeted bioorganic fertilizer products and promoting sustainable agriculture.