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Updated: May 22, 2026

Exploring the Root Microbiome: Extracting Bacterial Community Data from the Soil, Rhizosphere, and Root Endosphere
Published on: May 2, 2018
[Community Diversity Differences and Community Reconstruction of Bacteria and Fungi Under Soil Acidification Stress]
Xin-Yu Gao1,2, Dan-Dan Li1,2, Zi-Xu Li1,2
1College of Resources and Environment, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu 030801, China.
Abstract:
Soil acidification significantly affects the nutrient balance and soil microbial community of agricultural ecosystems. Exploring the coupling relationship between microorganisms, pH, and nutrient changes can provide theoretical basis for formulating strategies for acidifying soil remediation. A database was constructed by compiling data from 78 articles published up to July 2024, encompassing soil nutrient content, microbial diversity, and community composition. Using a data integration analysis method (Meta-analysis), we quantitatively analyzed the response of soil nutrients, microbial diversity, and composition to soil acidification. The results revealed that: ① Soil acidification significantly affected soil nutrients. Specifically, it led to a significant decrease in the content of organic matter, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, nitrate nitrogen, available phosphorus, and available potassium, while the content of ammonium nitrogen increased (P<0.05). ② Soil acidification significantly altered the diversity and composition of soil microbial communities. Acidification significantly reduced the Chao1 index and Shannon index of bacteria but increased the Chao1 index of fungi. Acidification led to an increase in acid-resistant microorganisms and a decrease in the abundance of acid-sensitive microorganisms in bacterial communities, while the response of fungal communities was species-specific. ③ Partial Least Squares Path Model (PLS-PM) analysis showed that soil acidification reduced soil nutrient availability, while soil nutrient loss further exacerbated community restructuring of bacteria and fungi. Soil acidification affected the diversity and composition of soil microbial communities through both direct and indirect effects. In summary, soil acidification directly changes the pH environment and indirectly affects nutrient cycling, altering the microbial community structure, and bacteria are more sensitive to acidification than fungi.
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