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- Title
Exogenous microorganisms promote moss biocrust restoration and shape microbiomes in a sandy desert.
- Authors
Tian, Chang; Ju, Mengchen; Eldridge, David J.; Bu, Chongfeng; Bai, Xueqiang; Li, Yahong; Guo, Qi
- Abstract
Aims: Moss biocrusts are important functional components of dryland soils. They could potentially be used to restore degraded dryland soils, but in sandy deserts, few cases of successful restoration have been reported. In this study, we investigated the growth-promoting effects of exogenous additives on moss biocrusts on sandy soils and their potential underlying mechanisms. Methods: A field-based study was used to examine the effects of inoculation by bacteria (Actinomyces bovis, Bacillus megaterium) and algae (Chlorella vulgaris, Microcoleus vaginatus), bound with Artemisia sphaerocephala gum, on the growth of mosses on a sandy soil. We used 16S and 18S rRNA amplicon sequencing and microbial co-occurrence ecological network analysis to examine the structure and interaction of the microbial community under the best performing inoculation treatment in different moss development stages. Results: The addition of exogenous microorganisms promoted moss biocrust growth. The best inoculation treatment was achieved with the addition of Actinomyces bovis and Chlorella vulgaris, which resulted in greater moss cover, height and density than the control. The addition of exogenous microorganisms improved microbial richness and diversity, and altered soil microbial community structure and assemblage, such as increasing the relative abundance of Streptophyta, which was associated with greater moss biocrust growth. Moreover, exogenous microorganisms strengthened the interactions among microbes and microbial community stability, and accelerated the degradation of soil organic carbon (SOC) and total nitrogen (TN). Conclusions: Our findings reveal the growth-promoting mechanisms of microbial inoculation, which could provide a cost-effective method of restoring moss biocrusts in sandy deserts, offering new perspectives for dryland ecological restoration.
- Subjects
MOSSES; SOIL degradation; RESTORATION ecology; CHLORELLA vulgaris; BACILLUS megaterium; SANDY soils; MICROORGANISMS; FLAVOBACTERIALES
- Publication
Plant & Soil, 2023, Vol 491, Issue 1/2, p421
- ISSN
0032-079X
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1007/s11104-023-06124-1