Effects of maize residue and cellulose-decomposing bacteria inocula on soil microbial community, functional diversity, organic fractions, and growth ofMalus hupehensisRehd.

AbstractTo enhance soil management of Malus hupehensis orchards, we investigated the effects of maize residue (MR) and cellulose-decomposing bacteria on soil microbial properties, soil organic fractions, and growth of 1-year-old potted M. hupehensis Rehd. seedlings. Potted soil was treated with MR, microbial inocula (MI) of Bacillus cereus (MI), MR + MI, and untreated (CK), and collected after 30, 60, and 90 d. The results showed that MR increased microbial biomass carbon (MBC), and MI reduced MBC. The results of Biolog Eco-Plate™ showed that soil microbial functional diversity with MR + MI was significantly higher at 30 d and significantly lower at 60 d compared to MR. Shannon index, substrate richness, substrate evenness, and Simpson’s dominance showed that MR and MI increased the microbial functional diversity after 30 and 90 d. MR + MI significantly increased humic acids (HAs); however, MR or MI alone only slightly affected HAs. Combined application of MR and MI had a synergistic effect on the content and composition of soil organic matter and plant growth than either treatment alone.Keywords: maize residuemicrobial inoculasoil microbial community functional diversitysoil organic mattersoil management