Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 11, 2025
Isolation of Native Soil Microorganisms with Potential for Breaking Down Biodegradable Plastic Mulch Films Used in Agriculture
Published on: May 10, 2013
Alpine radish rhizosphere microbiome assembly and metabolic adaptation under PBAT/PLA humic acid biodegradable mulch
Jian Zhong1,2, Ju Li1,2, Jichao Liao1,2
1Vegetable Germplasm Innovation and Variety Improvement Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Horticulture Research Institute, Chengdu, China.
Introduction:
Alpine agroecosystems present unique crop production challenges due to extreme environmental conditions, where rhizosphere microbiomes significantly influence plant adaptation.
Methods:
To investigate mulch-induced microbial changes in high-altitude agriculture, this study analyzed a radish field in China using SMRT sequencing (16S rRNA/ITS) and metagenomics, comparing PBAT/PLA biodegradable films with/without humic acid (HA) at varying thicknesses.
Results:
Results demonstrated that radish cultivation selectively enriched Proteobacteria and Acidobacteriota while depleting Chloroflexi and Actinobacteria, with fungal communities shifting from Basidiomycota-to Ascomycota-dominance. Notably, HA-amended mulches enhanced bacterial diversity and specifically promoted polymer-degrading microbes (Chitinophagaceae, Candidatus_Udaeobacter, Chaetomiaceae). Metagenomic profiling revealed thickness-dependent increases in functional genes related to carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism in HA-treated soils.
Conclusion:
These findings advance our understanding of how biodegradable mulch formulations can be optimized to enhance microbial ecosystem services in alpine farming systems.
Related Concept Videos
02:11The Roles of Bacteria and Fungi in Plant Nutrition
01:30Environmental Applications of Microorganisms