Soil arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal community structure and diversity in apple orchards with different replant disease severity around Bohai Bay, China

A stable arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) community plays a key role in soil stability and structural improvement. However, there is relatively little information about the community composition and diversity of AMF in apple orchards with different replant disease (ARD) severity. This study was conducted to explore the correlations of the ARD severity and the AM fungal community composition and diversity in the soil of perennial apple orchards. A total of 27 soil samples were collected in Bohai Bay, China. The soil organic carbon, pH and relative abundance of Archaeospora negatively correlated with the ARD severity. Soil properties can also affect AMF communities. Total nitrogen and available phosphorus were the main drivers of AMF communities in the soil of perennial apple orchards. The total nitrogen, total phosphorus and available phosphorus can indirectly affect ARD severity by changing the diversity of AMF. These results demonstrate the relationship of AM fungal communities, soil properties and ARD severity, which provide a theoretical basis to control ARD and utilize beneficial soil biota to improve the productivity of apple trees.

Automated summary

A stable arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) community is crucial for soil stability and structural improvement in apple orchards. This study reveals the negative correlation between soil properties (organic carbon, pH, and relative abundance of Archaeospora) and replant disease (ARD) severity. Total nitrogen and available phosphorus are identified as the main drivers of AMF communities in perennial apple orchard soil.