Response of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungal Communities and Soil Organic Carbon to Magnesium Fertilization in Tea Plantations

He Zhengjia, Zeng Xinran, Wang Linying, Xue Xinyu, Su Zeyu, Li Yu, Zhang yinjie, Wu Huihuang, Chen Chengcong, Wu Liangquan, Wei Anni, Qiu Yunpeng, Guo Lijin   

  1. College of Resources and Environment, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, International Magnesium Institute 350002, China
    Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, College of Forestry 350002, China
    Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, School of Public Administration and Law 350002, China
    Anxi Tieguanyin Group of Fujian Province, National Engineering Research Center for Tea Quality and Safety 362000, China
    Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, College of Agriculture 350002, China
    Nanjing Agricultural University, College of Grassland Science 210008, China
  • Received:2025-08-30 Revised:2025-09-09
  • Contact: Guo, Lijin
  • Supported by:
    Supported by Youth Project of the National Natural Science Foundation of China(42407365); The "Carbon neutral" tea garden construction project (KH250054A) and Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province(BK20240193)

Abstract: Aims Soil organic carbon (SOC) is a crucial component for maintaining soil health and fertility in tea plantations, and its fixation process is closely associated with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). However, the response mechanisms of AMF community composition and SOC accumulation to magnesium fertilization in tea plantations remain poorly understood. Methods This study utilizes a 7-year long-term experimental site in Anxi County, Fujian Province, focused on Tieguanyin tea plantations with continuous Mg fertilization. Four gradient treatments of magnesium sulfate heptahydrate (MgSO4·7H2O) application were implemented: Mg0 (0 kg ha-1, control), Mg50 (17.5 kg ha-1), Mg100 (35 kg ha-1), and Mg200 (70 kg ha-1). The research aims to elucidate the responses of both AMF communities and soil organic carbon to Mg fertilization in the tea plantation ecosystem. Important findings Compared to Mg0, Mg50, Mg100, and Mg200 significantly increased soil SOC content (by 7.8%, 11.7%, and 14.8%), exchangeable Mg2+ content (by 1370%, 2351%, and 2746%), soil pH (by 2.3%, 2.8%, and 4.2%), dissolved organic carbon content (by 3.5%, 3.3%, and 4.0%), pruning litter yield (by 6.1%, 13.9%, and 20.2%), and the relative abundance of the genus Glomus (by 59.5%, 75.4%, and 37.3%). Structural equation modeling revealed that magnesium fertilization promotes SOC sequestration synergistically through two main pathways: firstly, by improving soil physicochemical properties and stimulating plant growth to enhance carbon input; and secondly, by optimizing the AMF community structure and strengthening the functional contribution of Glomus. This study elucidates the dual-pathway mechanism through which magnesium fertilization enhances carbon sequestration in tea plantations by regulating the soil microenvironment and AMF communities, providing a theoretical foundation and practical strategies for achieving carbon neutrality in tea garden ecosystems.

Key words: Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, Soil organic carbon, Magnesium fertilizer, Tea garden

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