ABSTRACT
Investigating the impact of soil properties on the nutrient content and microbial community of sisal (Agave sisalana Perrine)

Ping Liu1, 2, Zhaoxue Huang1, 2, Shibei Tan2, Weihuai Wu2, Tao Chen3, Jianfeng Qin3, Kexian Yi1, 2, 4*, and Helong Chen1, 2*
 
Sisal (Agave sisalana Perrine), a crucial natural fiber source, exhibits varying yields in China’s Guangdong and Guangxi regions. This groundbreaking study sampled soil and sisal leaves from these production hubs to explore the interplay among soil pH, enzyme activity, microorganisms, and sisal nutrition. Using PCR and high-throughput sequencing, results indicate Guangdong’s soil is mildly acidic, contrasting with Guangxi’s neutral to slightly alkaline soil. Both regions show a robust correlation between soil pH and nutrient availability (organic matter, P, K). Enhanced soil enzyme activity is observed at higher pH levels (6.09, 7.39). Dominant bacterial phyla Acidobacteria, Proteobacteria, and Actinobacteria peak at pH 7.39, 6.09, and 5.41, respectively. Fungal phyla Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, and Mortierellomycota thrive at pH 4.23, 7.39, and 6.48. Sisal leaves display optimal nutrient levels at specific pHs: N, P, and K at pH 6.09; Ca at pH 7.39; Mg at pH 6.48. Functional predictions reveal fungal abundance varies with pH, while bacterial functions like metabolism, disease resistance, and environmental adaptation are bolstered in Guangxi’s alkaline soils compared to Guangdong’s acidic ones. These findings provide a scientific basis for optimizing sisal cultivation management.
Keywords: High-throughput sequencing, plant nutrient content, rhizosphere soil microorganisms, sisal, soil pH.
1Guizhou University, State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Guizhou, Guiyang 550025, PR China.
2Environment and Plant Protection Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences (CATAS), Haikou, Hainan, PR China.
3Guangxi Subtropical Crops Research Institute, Guangxi, Nanning, PR China. 4Sanya Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Sanya, Hainan, PR China.
*Corresponding author (Chenhelong951@126.com).