Organic Fertilization and Leaf Mulching Enhance Soil Health and Sugarcane Productivity in Fenlong-Ridging Systems: Insights from Microbial Ecology
摘要
This study aimed to investigate the synergistic effectsof combining Fenlong-ridging (FL) technology with different organicamendment strategies—organic fertilizer versus sugarcane leafmulching—on soil physicochemical properties, rhizosphere bacterialcommunities, and sugarcane yield. The research sought todetermine how these practices influence soil health and microbialecology to enhance sustainable sugarcane productivity. A two-year field experiment was conducted using a completely randomized design with three treatments under FL tillage: conventional compound fertilizer (FL145.CK), organic fertilizer (FL145.O), and sugarcane leaf mulch (FL145.L). Soil properties (pH, nutrient availability, porosity, catalase activity), rhizosphere bacterial diversity (via 16 S rRNA sequencing), and sugarcane yield were analyzed and compared. Organic fertilizer (FL145.O) significantly improved soil nutrient availability, increasing available N by 47–51%, P by 133–607%, and K by 46–82%, and enhanced soil porosity by 6.5%. Leaf mulching (FL145.L) increased water retention by 15% and enriched oligotrophic bacterial taxa (e.g., Acidobacteria), while FL145.O favored copiotrophs (e.g., Proteobacteria, Firmicutes). FL145.O boosted yield by 30% in the first year, whereas FL145.L showed superior performance in the second year, increasing yield by 28%. The integration of FL technology with organic amendments creates synergistic benefits for soil health, microbial diversity, and yield stability. Organic fertilizer is optimal for short-term fertility gains, while leaf mulching supports long-term soil resilience. These findings provide a scientific basis for sustainable management practices in sugarcane production systems.