Long-term organic fertilizer substitution increases rice yield by improving soil properties and regulating soil bacteria

Abstract

Abstract Applying organic and inorganic fertilizers together could sustainably increase crop yields. The effects of long-term organic fertilizer substitution on soil microbial community structure and function in paddy soil and on rice yield remain unclear. We evaluated changes in soil physicochemical factors, bacterial community structure responses, and the contributions of soil properties and bacterial communities to rice yield after 34\xa0years of different fertilization treatments. A high ratio of organic fertilizer substitution significantly reduced soil acidification, improved soil nutrients, and increased soil urease and catalase activities (P