Mulching influences pear yield and quality by changing rhizosphere microbial community structure in the arid region of Northwest China.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Mulching is widely adopted in pear orchards to improve soil quality and fruit production, yet its effects on rhizosphere microbial communities and the mechanisms linking soil-microbe interactions to pear yield and quality remain poorly understood.

Methods

A field experiment was conducted in a pear orchard located in the arid region of Northwest China. Three treatments were applied: no mulching (CK), plastic film mulching (FM), and straw mulching (SM). Soil physicochemical properties were analyzed, and rhizosphere microbial community characteristics were assessed using high-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA and ITS. Network analysis and multivariate statistical approaches were employed to explore microbial community structure, ecological modules, and their relati

SUBMITTER: Li H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12515920 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature