Regulatory Mechanism of Phosphorus Tailings and Organic Fertilizer Jointly Driving the Succession of Acidic Soil Microbial Functional Groups and Enhancing Corn Yield

Chuanxiong Geng, Xinling Ma, Xianfeng Hou, Jinghua Yang, Xi Sun, Yi Zheng (), Min Zhou, Chuisi Kong and Wei Fan
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Chuanxiong Geng: College of Plant Protection, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China
Xinling Ma: Institute of Agricultural Environment and Resources, Yunnan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Kunming 650201, China
Xianfeng Hou: College of Resources and Environment, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China
Jinghua Yang: Institute of Agricultural Environment and Resources, Yunnan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Kunming 650201, China
Xi Sun: Institute of Agricultural Environment and Resources, Yunnan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Kunming 650201, China
Yi Zheng: College of Resources and Environment, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China
Min Zhou: Institute of Agricultural Environment and Resources, Yunnan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Kunming 650201, China
Chuisi Kong: Institute of Agricultural Environment and Resources, Yunnan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Kunming 650201, China
Wei Fan: College of Resources and Environment, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China

Agriculture, 2025, vol. 15, issue 19, 1-20

Abstract: The continued acidification of red soil reduces phosphorus availability and microbial activity, which restricts corn growth. Phosphorus tailings, a waste product from phosphate mining, can neutralize soil acidity and supply controlled-release phosphorus, but their effects on the red soil-corn system remain unclear. A field experiment in Qujing, Yunnan (2023–2024), tested four treatments: CK (standard fertilization), T1 (CK plus phosphorus tailings), T2 (80% of standard fertilizer plus phosphorus tailings), and T3 (80% of standard fertilizer plus phosphorus tailings and organic fertilizer, both applied at 6.0 t·ha −1 ). Using high-throughput sequencing, redundancy analysis (RDA), and structural equation modeling (SEM), the study evaluated impacts on soil properties, microbial communities, and corn yield and quality. Results showed: (1) Phosphorus tailings reduced soil acidification; T3 raised soil pH in the top 0–10 cm by 0.54–0.9 units compared to CK and increased total, available, and soluble phosphorus in the 0–20 cm layer to 952.82, 28.46, and 2.04 mg/kg, respectively. (2) T3 exhibited the highest microbial diversity (Chao1 and Shannon indices increased by 177.57% and 37.80% versus CK) and a more complex bacterial co-occurrence network (114 edges versus 107 in CK), indicating enhanced breakdown of aromatic compounds. (3) Corn yield under T3 improved by 13.72% over CK, with increases in hundred-grain weight (+6.02%), protein content (+18.04%), and crude fiber (+9.00%). (4) Effective nitrogen, ammonium nitrogen, available phosphorus, and soil conductivity were key factors affecting gcd / phoD phosphorus-reducing bacteria. (5) Phosphorus tailings indirectly increased yield by modifying soil properties and pH, both positively linked to yield, while gcd -carrying bacteria had a modest positive influence. In summary, combining phosphorus tailings with a 20% reduction in chemical fertilizer reduces fertilizer use, recycles mining waste, and boosts corn production in acidic red soil, though further studies are needed to evaluate long-term environmental effects.

Keywords: phosphorus tailings; acid red soil; maize yield and quality; soil properties; microbial community (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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