Zhou Feihua, Zhang Hanshuo, Zhong Wen, Yang Hao, Zhou Luhong, Yang Zhi-Jie, Hu Yalin, Zheng Yong
Key Laboratory for Humid Subtropical Eco-geographical Processes of the Ministry of Education, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, China.
Shanghang Mountain Forest Carbon Sink Observation and Research Station of Fujian Province, Fujian Normal University, Longyan, China.
mSphere. 2025 Jul 31:e0045025. doi: 10.1128/msphere.00450-25.
Chinese fir () is an economically important plantation tree species. Gaining insights into the belowground microbiome of Chinese fir is critical for optimizing plantation management and enhancing timber production. In this study, we investigated microbial community structures in both rhizospheric soil and root samples from nine Chinese fir plantations (sites) at a regional scale. Moreover, we analyzed relationships between tree growth and microbial community structures and soil properties. Our results revealed that significantly higher bacterial and fungal richness was observed in rhizospheric soils than in tree roots. Differing distribution patterns of soil- and root-associated bacterial and fungal community compositions were observed across different sites. Soil nitrate was the key factor shaping root-associated bacterial diversity, and both soil total nitrogen and nitrate were the critical drivers influencing root-associated fungal community composition. There were apparent geographical variations in the biomass and growth increment of Chinese fir trees, with soil moisture emerging as the strongest predictor for these two parameters. Moreover, soil-associated bacterial community composition, root-associated bacterial diversity, and root-associated fungal community composition were identified as the primary determinants of tree biomass. Our findings highlight the critical but different contributions of soil- and root-associated bacterial and fungal communities to the productivity of trees in subtropical plantations.IMPORTANCEChinese fir plantations are widely distributed in Southeast China and characterized by their considerable economic significance. Belowground microbial communities play pivotal roles in shaping forest ecosystem functions. Nevertheless, knowledge of the relationship between microbial communities and tree growth is scarce. Here, we investigated soil- and root-associated bacterial and fungal communities and their relationships with the tree growth of nine Chinese fir plantations in subtropical regions. We found that both compartment and site factors influenced bacterial and fungal diversity and community composition. Apparent geographical variations in the biomass and growth increment of Chinese fir trees were observed. Moreover, soil-associated bacterial community composition, root-associated bacterial diversity, and fungal community composition were identified as the primary determinants of tree biomass. Altogether, this study provides a comprehensive analysis of microbial communities in mature Chinese fir planted forests, offering new insights into their roles in supporting forest productivity.
杉木（）是一种具有重要经济价值的人工林树种。深入了解杉木的地下微生物群落对于优化人工林管理和提高木材产量至关重要。在本研究中，我们在区域尺度上调查了来自9个杉木人工林（地点）的根际土壤和根系样本中的微生物群落结构。此外，我们分析了树木生长与微生物群落结构及土壤性质之间的关系。我们的结果表明，根际土壤中的细菌和真菌丰富度显著高于树根。在不同地点观察到土壤和根系相关细菌及真菌群落组成的不同分布模式。土壤硝酸盐是塑造根系相关细菌多样性的关键因素，而土壤总氮和硝酸盐都是影响根系相关真菌群落组成的关键驱动因素。杉木树的生物量和生长增量存在明显的地理差异，土壤湿度是这两个参数的最强预测因子。此外，土壤相关细菌群落组成、根系相关细菌多样性和根系相关真菌群落组成被确定为树木生物量的主要决定因素。我们的研究结果突出了土壤和根系相关细菌及真菌群落对亚热带人工林树木生产力的关键但不同的贡献。
重要性
杉木人工林广泛分布于中国东南部，具有相当重要的经济意义。地下微生物群落在塑造森林生态系统功能方面发挥着关键作用。然而，关于微生物群落与树木生长之间关系的知识却很匮乏。在此，我们调查了亚热带地区9个杉木人工林的土壤和根系相关细菌及真菌群落及其与树木生长的关系。我们发现，隔室和地点因素都会影响细菌和真菌的多样性及群落组成。观察到杉木树的生物量和生长增量存在明显的地理差异。此外，土壤相关细菌群落组成、根系相关细菌多样性和真菌群落组成被确定为树木生物量的主要决定因素。总之，本研究对成熟杉木人工林中的微生物群落进行了全面分析，为它们在支持森林生产力方面的作用提供了新的见解。
