Low-Temperature Fermented Straw Compost Regulates Rice Growth and Yield by Affecting Soil Physicochemical Properties and the Expression of Important Signaling Pathway Genes
Tongtong Liu,
Ziguang Liu,
Ziyi Zhao,
Kai Xu,
Heshu Chen,
Yanzhong Feng,
Wentao Wang,
Nan Zhang,
Di Liu,
Xinmiao He,
Juan Wu
Affiliations
Tongtong Liu
Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Ecological Restoration of Saline Vegetation, College of Life Sciences, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
Ziguang Liu
Key Laboratory of Combining Farming and Animal Husbandry, Institute of Animal Husbandry of Heilongjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Harbin 150086, China
Ziyi Zhao
Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Ecological Restoration of Saline Vegetation, College of Life Sciences, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
Kai Xu
Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Ecological Restoration of Saline Vegetation, College of Life Sciences, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
Heshu Chen
Key Laboratory of Combining Farming and Animal Husbandry, Institute of Animal Husbandry of Heilongjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Harbin 150086, China
Yanzhong Feng
Key Laboratory of Combining Farming and Animal Husbandry, Institute of Animal Husbandry of Heilongjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Harbin 150086, China
Wentao Wang
Key Laboratory of Combining Farming and Animal Husbandry, Institute of Animal Husbandry of Heilongjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Harbin 150086, China
Nan Zhang
Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Ecological Restoration of Saline Vegetation, College of Life Sciences, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
Di Liu
Key Laboratory of Combining Farming and Animal Husbandry, Institute of Animal Husbandry of Heilongjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Harbin 150086, China
Xinmiao He
Key Laboratory of Combining Farming and Animal Husbandry, Institute of Animal Husbandry of Heilongjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Harbin 150086, China
Juan Wu
Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Ecological Restoration of Saline Vegetation, College of Life Sciences, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
Soil physicochemical properties affect crop growth and yield. The addition of fertilizers can improve the soil quality during crop cultivation, leading to increased agricultural production. Organic fertilizers may be produced by composting straw that would otherwise be discarded as agricultural waste, with potential implications for sustainable agricultural development. However, the mechanism underlying the effects of straw compost on crop growth is unknown. In this study, a microbial agent suitable for straw decomposition in cold regions was used for a large-scale biological fermentation. Organic compost was obtained after the decomposition of straw. The straw compost was mixed with soil in different proportions and then used to cultivate Songjing 2 rice plants. The addition of straw compost significantly increased the growth and yield of the rice plants and enhanced various physiological indices. Moreover, the straw compost treatment significantly improved soil physicochemical properties (e.g., pH, enzyme activity, nutrient composition, and microbial diversity) and optimized the soil conditions for crop growth. In addition, the application of straw compost influenced the expression of genes in rice metabolic pathways as well as pathways mediating secondary metabolite synthesis and plant hormone signal transduction. The study data reflect the potential applicability of low-temperature straw fermentation technology for maximizing crop production.
