Effects of prosulfocarb and hydrogels on soil fungal communities

Fungi are a crucial component of soil ecosystems, playing a vital role in nutrient cycling and significantly influencing soil fertility. Despite growing interest in their ecological role, the impact of agrochemicals on the structure and diversity of soil fungal communities remains poorly understood. This study assessed the effects of prosulfocarb and hydrogels on the composition and function of the soil mycobiome in Triticum aestivum L. cultivation. Prosulfocarb significantly inhibited the growth of all identified taxa and reduced diversity indices (Shannon-Wiener, Simpson, Pielou, and Evenness) compared with control soil. Hydrogels inhibited the growth of Ascomycota and the genera Talaromyces, Chaetomium, and Cladorrhinum. Both factors altered the ecological functions of the mycobiome, resulting in the dominance of plant pathogens and shifts in the proportions of saprotrophs, endophytes, and parasites. These results provide new insights into the impact of prosulfocarb and hydrogels on the diversity and activity of fungi in agricultural soils.