Rubber-based agroforestry systems modify the soil fungal composition and function in Southwest China

Abstract

● Rubber-based agroforestry systems increased the complexity of fungal networks.

● Fungal community structure was strongly correlated with soil pH and SOC.

● Rubber-based agroforestry systems reduced the presence of certain pathogens.

Rubber-based agroforestry systems have been recognized as a practical and sustainable solution to promote the development of agriculture and the environment. However, interactions between fungal communities and these systems are still not sufficiently investigated. In this study, we compared the abundance, diversity, and community composition of soil fungi in four treatments, including rubber monoculture and three rubber-based agroforestry treatments involving intercropping with Camellia sinensis, Coffea liberica, and Theobroma cacao. The results revealed that the community composition exhibited significant variation between the four different treatments, while the overall soil α-diversity was relatively stable across all treatments. Soil pH and soil organic carbon were significantly related to the structure of the fungal community. In particular, the complexity of the functional fungal network increased in response to agroforestry treatments, promoting beneficial fungi and suppressing certain plant pathogens. These results suggest that rubber-based agroforestry systems can promote the health of soil microbial community composition, and therefore provide an effective approach to enhancing soil quality.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

agroforestry system with intercropping / rubber monoculture / fungal community / fungal function / tropical forest

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