Application of Sophora alopecuroides organic fertilizer changes the rhizosphere microbial community structure of melon plants and increases the fruit sugar content

Abstract BACKGROUND Sophora alopecuroides L. is a leguminous plant commonly found in northwest China. In Xinjiang, the fresh herb of S. alopecuroides is often applied as a green fertilizer to the rhizosphere of melon ( Cucumis melo ) plants at the end of their flowering period, to improve the taste of the fruits. However, the effects of S. alopecuroides‐ based fertilizers on the microbial community structure of soil and crop‐root systems are unclear. In order to study the sweetening mechanism of the S. alopecuroides organic fertilizer, three different varieties of melon were selected. The untreated plants were used as the control (CK) group, and the plants treated with S. alopecuroides ‐based organic fertilizer were selected as the treatment (T) group. The physical and chemical properties, enzyme activities and microbial community structure of the rhizosphere samples were also determined, and a correlation analysis with the fruit sweetness index was conducted. RESULTS Sugar content of group T was at least 40% higher than that of group CK. The increase in fruit sugar content positively correlated with the increase in the abundance of beneficial microorganisms, including Pseudomonas , Bacillus , Mycobacterium , Burkholderia , Streptomyces , Acinetobacter , Proteobacteria, Lysobacter , Actinomycetes, Penicillium and Aspergillus . CONCLUSION Sophora alopecuroides organic fertilizer could alter the composition and function of bacterial and fungal communities and promote the growth of beneficial bacteria in the melon plant rhizosphere. Further, it could increase the content of soluble solids and sugar in the fruits to achieve a sweetening effect. This fertilizer can be applied as a fruit sweetener in melon cultivation, improving the sugar content of the fruit and consequently the sweetness. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.