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Updated: Jan 12, 2026

Measuring Phosphorus Release in Laboratory Microcosms for Water Quality Assessment
Published on: July 22, 2019
Microbial phosphorus cycling shaped by citrus-induced soil acidification and phosphorus accumulation in fertilized
Quan Zhou1, Lianhao Zhou1, Hui Zhang1
1State Key Laboratory of Lake and Watershed Science for Water Security, Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing, 400714, China.
Abstract:
Soil phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB) play a critical role in the global organic phosphorus (P) cycle by regulating the balance between P accumulation and mineralization. Identifying and utilizing PSB to mobilize insoluble phosphate is essential for enhancing nutrient uptake and crop yields. However, the mechanisms limiting microbial P cycling under intensive citrus plantation remain unclear. This study compared microbial P mineralization in soils from natural forests and citrus orchards and revealed contrasting P acquisition strategies. Forest soils exhibited strong microbially driven P solubilization, while citrus orchards depended heavily on exogenous phosphate inputs and showed weakened microbial mineralization of organic P, potentially disrupting soil biogeochemical processes. Moreover, PSB community composition and cooperation differed markedly between the two systems. Excess P accumulation in orchard soils significantly reduced phoD gene abundance and microbial diversity, simplified microbial co-occurrence networks, and diminished species interactions. These shifts impaired the functional capacity of PSBs and altered the soil P cycle. Nevertheless, improving soil conditions (e.g., increasing pH) could enhance PSB activity and P availability. This study provides empirical evidence that overfertilization suppresses microbial P cycling and underscores the potential of PSB-based strategies to restore soil P balance and support sustainable agricultural development.
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