Effects of cotton peanut rotation on crop yield soil nutrients and microbial diversity

Background and Aims Cotton-peanut rotation is a sustainable farming practice that enhances land utilization and promotes the sustainable development of agriculture. Crop rotation can reduce the occurrence of pests and diseases, as different crops have varying levels of resistance to such threats. Additionally, by alternating the types of crops grown, the soil environment is changed, which can lead to the elimination of favorable conditions for pathogens and pests, thereby alleviating the impact of these issues. Furthermore, cotton-peanut rotation can improve soil fertility.To investigate the effects of different crop rotation systems on crop yield, soil nutrients, and soil microbial communities.

Using high-throughput sequencing technology, investigate the soil microbial diversity in the root zone after cotton-peanut rotation.Various planting patterns, including cotton continuous cropping (MC), peanut continuous cropping (HC), peanut-cotton-peanut rotation (HR), and fallow (X), were established to assess variations in crop yield, soil nutrients, and soil microbial diversity.

Significant differences were observed in crop yield, soil nutrients, and soil microbial community structure among different planting patterns. The HR system significantly increased the output compared with the HC and MC systems. Additionally, HR exhibited significantly lower total nitrogen (N) and basic nitrogen (BN) contents than HC and MC, whereas MC showed lower total potassium (K) and available potassium (AK) contents. HR led to a decrease in soil bacterial diversity but an increase in fungal diversity, with Ascomycota and Mortierellomycota being dominant. Various bacteria (Chloroflexi, Bacteroidota, and Actinobacteriota) associated with organic matter degradation and nutrient cycling were found across different planting systems, enhancing material cycling efficiency. Furthermore, Planctomycetota bacteria related to crop nutrient synthesis and Glomeromycota bacteria aiding plant nutrient absorption were significantly higher in the MC system than in the HR or HC systems. Redundancy analysis indicated a significant negative correlation between crop rotation and soil fungal community, whereas Ascomycota exhibited a significant negative correlation with organic matter.

Peanut-cotton rotation can mitigate soil nutrient loss, enhance beneficial microorganism diversity, suppress harmful bacterial populations, stabilize ecosystems, and boost crop yield.