Research on the synergistic optimization of Scutellaria baicalensis yield, quality and soil environment by key microorganisms, driven by the combined approach of reducing chemical fertilizer usage while incorporating organic fertilizer

The prolonged and unscientific application of chemical fertilizers has caused soil environment imbalance and frequent soil-borne diseases, resulting in a sharp reduction in the yield and quality of Scutellaria baicalensis . Hereto, we reduced chemical fertilizer application while combining it with various organic fertilizers. We evaluated the impact of different fertilizers on S. baicalensis , including the content of active ingredients, yield, and rhizosphere soil microbial community structure. The aim is to screen for key microorganisms that can regulate changes in the yield and quality of S. baicalensis . The results indicated that, compared to no fertilizer application (FBK), bio-organic fertilizer combined with 66 % chemical fertilizer (MOF) prominently enhanced the fresh root weight of S. baicalensis by 53.4 %, this treatment enhanced the internal connections within the bacterial community, elevating the correlation number among bacterial genera by 2.8 %. Besides, chicken manure organic fertilizer combined with 66 % chemical fertilizer (COF) prominently enhanced the baicalin and total flavonoids content by 4.4 % and 7.4 %, respectively. It also significantly altered the composition of the rhizosphere fungal community, enhancing the positive correlation among genera by 20.61 %. Verification revealed that Dietzia cinnamea , screened from the MOF treatment, can promote the growth of S. baicalensis . When MOF was applied in combination with D. cinnamea , it had a remarkable effect in increasing the content of active ingredients. This study offers theoretical basis for improving the yield and quality of cultivated S. baicalensis , contributing to the development of specialized fertilizers and microbial agents for S. baicalensis . • Select organic fertilizers to improve Scutellaria baicalensis yield/quality and partly replace chemical fertilizers. • Screen the growth-promoting bacterium Dietzia cinnamea for S. baicalensis . • Prove that the combination of D. cinnamea and fertilizer can increase the content of active ingredients in S. baicalensis .