Inoculations of phosphate-solubilizing bacteria alter soil microbial community and improve phosphorus bioavailability for moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis) growth

Moso bamboo plantations suffer from phosphorus (P) limitations. A better understanding of soil P cycling contributes to the sustainable management and development of the bamboo forests. In this study, different phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB) were applied to soils to stimulate bamboo growth, and the metagenomics method was employed to investigate the changes in soil microbial communities and relative abundances of functional genes. Meanwhile, soil properties and bamboo biomass and physiological indices were also quantitatively analyzed. The PSB inoculations changed soil P fractions and significantly elevated available P (AP) content by stimulating phosphatase activity and functional genes involved in P-transformation. The PSB inoculations significantly stimulated soil acid phosphatase activities and enhanced the relative abundances of functional genes associated with inorganic P-solubilization and organic P-mineralization. Moreover, increased soil available nutrients were beneficial to the moso bamboo growth, and the bamboo biomass in the different treatments increased by from 32.43 % to 69.04 % compared with the control treatment. Significant increases in root activity, carotenoid, chlorophyll a and total chlorophyll contents after the PSB inoculations also contributed to moso bamboo growth. The PSB strain inoculations shaped soil microbial communities and increased microbial connections. Besides adjusting soil P supplies and functional genes, the PSB also promoted the moso bamboo growth by increasing soil mineral N, AK and bamboo chlorophyll contents and stimulating functional microorganisms. Our study could provide a theoretical basis to improve soil nutrient utilization for moso bamboo with the PSB inoculations.