Long-Term Plastic Greenhouse Cultivation Changes Soil Microbial Community Structures: A Case Study

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Science
• Environmental Science
• Soil Microbiology

Background:

• Plastic greenhouse vegetable cultivation (PGVC) is widespread globally.
• PGVC significantly impacts soil properties and can lead to phthalate ester (PAE) contamination.
• Long-term cultivation practices may alter soil microbial communities.

Purpose of the Study:

• Investigate soil microbial community succession under 20 years of PGVC.
• Identify factors influencing microbial community structure changes.
• Assess the role of PAE residues and soil physicochemical properties.

Main Methods:

• High-throughput sequencing to analyze soil bacterial and fungal communities.
• Measurement of soil physicochemical properties (pH, nutrients, clay, phosphorus).
• Quantification of phthalate ester (PAE) residues.

Main Results:

• PGVC soils showed lower pH and higher nutrient content compared to open fields.
• PAE residues increased with longer PGVC periods.
• Fungal diversity decreased, while bacterial and fungal community structures shifted significantly.
• Soil pH and clay content were key drivers for bacterial communities; pH and phosphorus for fungal communities.
• No correlation found between PAE residues and microbial community changes.

Conclusions:

• Soil acidification and nutrient accumulation are the primary drivers of microbial community shifts in PGVC.
• These shifts can occur within 5 years of PGVC.
• Long-term PGVC alters soil microbial structure, independent of PAE contamination.