Impact of different treatment methods and timings on soil microbial communities with transgenic maize straw return

Understanding the impact of genetically modified (GM) crop straw return on soil ecosystems is crucial as GM crops become more prevalent. This study assesses the effects of straw mulching and deep tillage on soil microbial communities from GM and non-GM maize, highlighting potential ecological impacts. Shotgun metagenomic sequencing was utilized to analyze the microbial community structure and functional genes in soil samples collected at different times (30, 180, and 270 days) after straw mulching and deep tillage treatments. The study included insect-resistant transgenic maize varieties 2A-7 and CM8101 and their non-transgenic counterparts B73 and Zheng58. Different treatment methods significantly affect soil microbial alpha-diversity and beta-diversity, with deep tillage resulting in higher alpha-diversity compared to mulching, and the 180-day mark exhibiting the highest alpha-diversity across all sampling times. Early straw treatment prompted a rapid microbial response to nutrient availability, with notable changes in diversity and function over time. Straw treatments notably altered soil microbial functions, especially in carbon cycling and nutrient metabolism. Interestingly, the microbial effects of GM versus non-GM maize straw were similar, suggesting crop residue type under consistent soil management practices might not significantly alter microbial community structures. The methods and timing of straw treatments have a significant impact on soil microbial communities, surpassing the differences between GM and non-GM straw. These findings highlight the importance of straw management practices for sustainable agricultural ecosystem management.