Chin J Plant Ecol ›› 2022, Vol. 46 ›› Issue (9): 1109-1124.DOI: 10.17521/cjpe.2021.0296

• Research Articles • Previous Articles    

Effects of mixed young plantations of Parashorea chinensis on soil microbial functional diversity and carbon source utilization

LI Wan-Nian1, LUO Yi-Min2, HUANG Ze-Yue3, YANG Mei1,*()   

  1. 1Guangxi Key Laboratory of Forest Ecology and Conservation, College of Forestry, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
    2Guangxi Nanning Liangfengjiang National Forest Park, Nanning 530004, China
    3Forestry Pest Management and Quarantine Station of Yangzhou, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225000, China
  • Received:2021-08-16 Accepted:2022-04-24 Online:2022-09-20 Published:2022-10-19
  • Contact: YANG Mei
  • Supported by:
    National Natural Science Foundation of China(31960307);Guangxi Natural Science Foundation(2018GXNSFAA28110);Innovation Project of Guangxi Graduate Education(YCBZ2022036)

Abstract:

Aims This study aimed to study the effects of two young mixed plantations of Parashorea chinensis (an endangered native tree species) on the functional characteristics and carbon source utilization of the soil microbial community, so as to select the suitable afforestation mode of P. chinensis and maintain sustainable management of forests by changing pure Eucalyptus plantation into mixed plantations with heterogeneous structure.

Methods The functional diversity of soil microbes and their utilization of six carbon sources in mixed and pure plantations of P. chinensis were compared and analyzed using the Biolog-ECO technique, and a correlation analysis was further carried out incorporating soil physicochemical properties.

Important findings (1) The Shannon-Wiener, Simpson and McIntosh diversity index of the microbe community in mixed plantations of P. chinensis and E. grandis × E. urophylla were the highest, and their soil microbial functional diversity was significantly higher than that of pure plantations. (2) The carbon source utilization and microbial quantity of soil microbes in the mixed plantations were higher than those in the pure plantation, and decreased with the deepening of the soil layer. The utilization of phenolic acid by soil microbes in mixed and pure plantations was the highest, followed by amines, with polymers at the lowest level, and the difference was that mixed and pure plantations were more dependent on amino acids and carboxylic acids, respectively. (3) The soil moisture conditions and the content of organic matter, total nitrogen, total potassium and available nutrients in the mixed forest of P. chinensis were higher. In addition, the vertical distribution of other nutrients except total phosphorus and total potassium showed obvious surface aggregation. (4) Environmental factors analysis showed that soil pH, organic matter and potassium were the main driving factors causing significant differences in soil microbial functional diversity and carbon source utilization between mixed and pure plantations, as well as different soil layers. In summary, the mixed afforestation model of P. chinensis has a significant impact on soil microbial community and their habitats. Especially, P. chinensis mixing with E. grandis × E. urophylla may effectively improve the metabolic activity and functional diversity of soil microbes, and promote the decomposition of organic matter. Compared with the pure forest, the mixed forest improved soil quality and fertility to some extent, and created a better soil environment and light conditions for the growth of young P. chinensis saplings.

Key words: Parashorea chinensis, young plantation, soil microorganism, functional diversity, carbon source utilization, soil nutrient, mixed plantation