Deep plowing improves soil physical structure and alters nitrogen-cycling microbial communities in a subtropical red soil region.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Tillage depth plays a critical role in regulating soil structure, nutrient dynamics, and microbial processes that determine crop productivity and quality.

Methods

A 3-year field experiment was conducted in a subtropical red soil region to evaluate the effects of rotary tillage (RT), deep tillage with middle depth (DTM), and deep plowing (DP) on soil physicochemical properties, enzyme activities, microbial biomass, and nitrogen-cycling microbial communities.

Results and discussion

Results showed that RT significantly enhanced soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, available phosphorus, and microbial biomass across both 0-20 cm and 20-40 cm layers. In contrast, DP promoted higher nitrate levels, particularly in subsoils, and significantly enhanced ammonia-oxi

SUBMITTER: Li X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12833330 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature