AUTHOR=Wen Yanfang , Ma Yangming , Wu Ziniu , Yang Yonggang , Yuan Xiaojuan , Chen Kairui , Luo Yongheng , He Ziting , Huang Xinhai , Deng Pengxin , Li Congmei , Yang Zhiyuan , Chen Zongkui , Ma Jun , Sun Yongjian 

TITLE=Enhancing rice ecological production: synergistic effects of wheat-straw decomposition and microbial agents on soil health and yield

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Plant Science

VOLUME=15

YEAR=2024

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/plant-science/articles/10.3389/fpls.2024.1368184

DOI=10.3389/fpls.2024.1368184

ISSN=1664-462X

ABSTRACT=<sec><title>Aims</title><p>This study evaluated the impact of wheat straw return and microbial agent application on rice field environments.</p></sec><sec><title>Methods</title><p>Using Rice variety Chuankangyou 2115 and a microbial mix of <italic>Bacillus subtilis</italic> and <italic>Trichoderma harzianum</italic>. Five treatments were tested: T<sub>1</sub> (no straw return), T<sub>2</sub> (straw return), T<sub>3</sub>, T<sub>4</sub>, and T<sub>5</sub> (straw return with varying ratios of <italic>Bacillus subtilis</italic> and <italic>Trichoderma harzianum</italic>).</p></sec><sec><title>Results</title><p>Results indicated significant improvements in rice root length, surface area, dry weight, soil nutrients, and enzyme activity across T<sub>2</sub>-T<sub>5</sub> compared to T<sub>1</sub>, enhancing yield by 3.81-26.63%. T<sub>3</sub> (50:50 microbial ratio) was optimal, further increasing root dry weight, soil enzyme activity, effective panicle and spikelet numbers, and yield. Dominant bacteria in T<sub>3</sub> included <italic>MBNT15</italic>, <italic>Defluviicoccus</italic>, <italic>Ro</italic>kubacteriales, and <italic>Latescibacterota</italic>. Higher <italic>Trichoderma harzianum</italic> proportions (75% in T<sub>5</sub>) increased straw decomposition but slightly inhibited root growth. Correlation analysis revealed a significant positive relationship between yield and soil microorganisms like <italic>Gemmatimonadota</italic> and <italic>Firmicutes</italic> at the heading stage. Factors like dry root weight, straw decomposition rate post-jointing stage, and elevated soil enzyme activity and nutrient content from tiller to jointing stage contributed to increased panicle and spikelet numbers, boosting yield.</p></sec><sec><title>Conclusion</title><p>The optimal <italic>Bacillus subtilis</italic> and <italic>Trichoderma harzianum</italic> ratio for straw return was 50:50, effectively improving soil health and synergizing high rice yield with efficient straw utilization.</p></sec>