Exogenous carbon inputs alleviated salt-induced oxidative stress to cotton in salinized field by improving soil aggregate structure and microbial community.

High concentrations of salt ions in salinized soils not only destroy soil structure, but also inhibit crop growth. Straw and straw-derived biochar have great potential in improving soil structure, reducing soil salinity, improving soil environment, and alleviating salt stress. However, the effects and mechanisms of exogenous addition of different carbon sources on the aggregate structure and microbial community of soils with different salinization degrees in cotton fields as well as the antioxidant defense system of cotton are still unclear. In this column experiment since 15 March, 2023, three soil salt contents (1.5 (S1), 5 (S2), and 10 (S3) g/kg) and five carbon treatments (straw incorporation: 6 t/hm (C1), 12 t/hm (C2); biochar incorporation: 2.25 t/hm (B1), 4.5 t/hm (B2); CK: no straw and biochar incorporation) were designed. Then, the effects of straw and biochar incorporation on the particle size distribution of soil aggregates, bacterial and fungal communities, and cotton leaf antioxidant system in S1, S2, and S3 soils were explored. The results showed that straw and biochar incorporation, especially B2, significantly reduced the salt content of S1, S2, and S3 soils, but increased the proportion of macroaggregates by 7.01%-13.12%, 5.03%-10.24%, and 4.16%-8.31%, respectively, compared with those of CK. Straw and biochar incorporation, especially C2, increased the abundances of Actinobacteria, Acidobacteria, and Enterobacteriaceae, but decreased that of Proteobacteria, compared with CK. Besides, straw and biochar incorporation significantly increased the superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities in salt-stressed cotton leaves, and decreased the malondialdehyde (MDA) content and peroxidase (POD) activity, compared with CK. It should be noted that the alleviating effect of straw and biochar incorporation on salt stress gradually decreased with the growth of cotton and the increase of soil salinity. In summary, straw and biochar incorporation could significantly reduce the salt content of salinized soils, increase the proportion of soil macroaggregates and microbial diversity, and alleviate the salt stress in cotton. This study will provide a scientific basis for the improvement and utilization of salinized soils.