Influence of Rice-Crayfish Co-Culture Systems on Soil Properties and Microbial Communities in Paddy Fields

Area of Science:

• Agroecology
• Soil Science
• Microbiology

Background:

• Integrated rice-crayfish co-culture (RC) offers economic and ecological benefits but its impact on soil properties and microbial communities is not well understood.
• Understanding these interactions is crucial for optimizing sustainable agricultural practices in rice-based systems.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effects of RC systems on soil physicochemical characteristics and microbial dynamics compared to rice monoculture (RM).
• To identify key environmental factors influencing microbial community structure in RC systems.

Main Methods:

• A randomized complete design compared RC and RM treatments in paddy fields.
• Soil and water samples were analyzed for physicochemical properties, extracellular enzyme activity, and microbial community structure (including PLFAs).
• Statistical analyses included Mantel test, Random Forest, and Redundancy Analysis (RDA).

Main Results:

• RC significantly increased soil moisture (+30.2%), porosity (+9.6%), and soil organic carbon (nearly tripled) compared to RM.
• RC enhanced nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium availability and retention, alongside elevated extracellular enzyme activities.
• RC altered microbial communities, increasing biomass, fungi-to-bacteria ratio, and Gram-positive bacteria abundance, indicating enhanced soil biodiversity and resilience.
• Extracellular enzyme activities, soil moisture, and bulk density were key factors shaping microbial communities, with TK, VL, pH, and TN being strong environmental predictors.

Conclusions:

• RC systems substantially improve soil physicochemical conditions and microbial functions.
• This integrated system promotes sustainable nutrient cycling and enhances soil health in rice agro-ecosystems.
• RC presents a promising, environmentally sound strategy for increasing agricultural productivity and sustainability.