Author
Dr. khunaw Abdulla Rahman / Soil Microbiology Department of Soil and Water , College of Agriculture Engineering sciences , University of Salahaddin, Erbil ,Kudistan- IRAQ.
,
Document Type : Research Paper
Abstract
Calcareous soils in Kurdistan pose significant challenges to agricultural productivity due to low fertility and poor structure,Calcareous soils are characterized by high pH and significant calcium carbonate content, which pose challenges for microbial activity due to their alkaline nature and limited nutrient availability. This study investigates the effect of soil amelioration practices, specifically organic matter (OM) and ash applications, on fungal and bacterial communities to improve soil health and functionality. The objective was to evaluate the diversity, phylogeny, and functional roles of soil microbes under varying levels of OM (0–6 t/ha) and ash (0–4 t/ha). Using 16S and 28S rRNA gene sequencing and phylogenetic analysis, microbial diversity and evolutionary relationships were assessed. The results demonstrated that high OM levels (6 t/ha) significantly enhanced microbial diversity, supporting nitrogen-fixing bacteria (Azotobacter chroococcum) and beneficial fungi (Trichoderma reesei). Ash applications influenced microbial composition, promoting resilient species such as Xanthobacter sp. and Sphingomonas sanguinis. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed close genetic relationships within microbial genera, reflecting their adaptability to calcareous soil conditions. Beneficial microbes played key roles in nutrient cycling, plant growth promotion, and soil resilience. In conclusion, integrating OM and microbial-based approaches can improve the fertility and biological health of calcareous soils. While ash can condition soil, its long-term impacts on microbial communities should be monitored. It is recommended to adopt regular OM applications and bio-inoculants containing Pseudomonas and Trichoderma to sustainably enhance soil productivity. These findings provide a foundation for tailored soil management strategies in the agricultural landscapes of Kurdistan.
Keywords: Soil Amelioration, Fungal, Bacteria, Calcareous soil.
- Hussain, S., Sharif, M., & Ahmad, W. (2021). Selection of efficient phosphorus solubilizing bacteria strains and mycorrhizea for enhanced cereal growth, root microbe status and N and P uptake in alkaline calcareous soil. Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, 67(3), 259-268.
- Wahid, F., Fahad, S., Danish, S., Adnan, M., Yue, Z., Saud, S., ... & Datta, R. (2020). Sustainable management with mycorrhizae and phosphate solubilizing bacteria for enhanced phosphorus uptake in calcareous soils. Agriculture, 10(8), 334.
- Adnan, M., Fahad, S., Saleem, M. H., Ali, B., Mussart, M., Ullah, R., ... & Marc, R. A. (2022). Comparative efficacy of phosphorous supplements with phosphate solubilizing bacteria for optimizing wheat yield in calcareous soils. Scientific Reports, 12(1), 11997.
- Azeez, S. N., & Muhaimeed, A. S. (2016). Genesis and Classification of Some Soils in Kalar City Northern Iraqi Kurdistan Region. IOSR Journal of Agriculter & veterinary science, 9(7), 15-22.
- Kassim, J. K., & Faraj, S. H. G. (2019). Phosphorus fractionation in some calcareous soils in sulaimani gogveronrat, kurdistan, Iraq. Indian Journal of Ecology, 46(3), 551-557.
- Siedt, M., Roß-Nickoll, M., Schäffer, A., & van Dongen, J. T. (2024). Shift of bacterial and fungal communities upon soil amelioration is driven by carbon degradability of organic amendments. Discover Soil, 1(1), 1-13.
- Armbruster, M., Goodall, T., Hirsch, P. R., Ostle, N., Puissant, J., Fagan, K. C., ... & Griffiths, R. I. (2021). Bacterial and archaeal taxa are reliable indicators of soil restoration across distributed calcareous grasslands. European Journal of Soil Science, 72(6), 2430-2444.
- Bolan, N., Srivastava, P., Rao, C. S., Satyanaraya, P. V., Anderson, G. C., Bolan, S., ... & Kirkham, M. B. (2023). Distribution, characteristics and management of calcareous soils. Advances in agronomy, 182, 81-130.
- EL-Madah, S. A., Ibrahim, M. M., El-Halim, A., & Awad, A. E. H. (2024). Amelioration with nano-sulfur suspensions mitigates calcium carbonate of calcareous sandy soil. Egyptian Journal of Soil Science, 64(1), 325-334.
- Wang, G., Liu, Y., Cui, M., Zhou, Z., Zhang, Q., Li, Y., ... & Zhou, J. (2021). Effects of secondary succession on soil fungal and bacterial compositions and diversities in a karst area. Plant and Soil, 1-12.
- Zheng, X. (2024). The Properties of Microorganisms and Plants in Soils after Amelioration. Agronomy, 14(10), 2351.
- Wang, X., Wang, L., Yu, Z., Tian, Y., Xu, Y., Wu, L., ... & Wang, X. (2023). Differential Responses of Bacterial Communities in Rhizosphere and Bulk Soils of Cotton to Long-Term Amelioration Practices Based on Freezing Saline Water Irrigation and Plastic Mulching in a Coastal Saline Soil. Agronomy, 14(1), 103.
- Doe, J., & Lee, K. (2023). Role of Trichoderma species in organic substrate decomposition, nutrient cycling, and plant root development: Implications for biocontrol strategies. Applied Soil Ecology, 172, 103547.
- Liu, Y., Zhang, Q., & Chen, H. (2023). The effect of coal ash amendment on microbial community structure and function in soil: A focus on Rhizoctonia solani and Verticillium sp. species. Environmental Microbiology Reports, 15(3), 402-411.
- Raza, B., Sahoo, J., Behera, B., Anil, A. S., Tiwari, R. K., & Lal, M. K. (2023). Soil microorganisms and nematodes for bioremediation and amelioration of polluted soils. In Biology and Biotechnology of Environmental Stress Tolerance in Plants(pp. 3-39). Apple Academic Press.
- Smith, J., & Patel, R. (2023). Adaptation of Xanthobacter sp. and Sphingomonas sp. to alkaline and metal-rich conditions in ash-affected environments. Environmental Microbiology, 85(7), 1234–1246.
- Miller, R., & Chen, Z. (2023). Molecular phylogeny and taxonomic assessment of Enterobacter, Klebsiella, and Azospirillum species based on 16S rRNA sequencing. International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology, 73(5), 1167-1183.
- Smith, J., & Patel, R. (2023). The role of organic matter in promoting microbial biodiversity and enhancing soil fertility. Journal of Soil and Environmental Microbiology, 58(4), 143-157.
- Zhang, W., Li, X., & Liu, Y. (2023). Microbial resilience and soil stabilization in ash-amended soils: The role of Xanthobacter sp. and Trichoderma sp. Applied Soil Ecology, 189, 103709.
- Singh, A., Kumar, V., & Sharma, P. (2023). Plant growth-promoting bacteria and biocontrol fungi: A dual strategy for soil amelioration, pathogen suppression, and sustainable agriculture. Journal of Applied Microbiology, 135(6), 1932-1945.
', './data/kras/coversheet/811771182306.png'))
