Evolution of the Soil Bacterial Community as a Function of Crop Management: A Metagenomic Study in Orange Tree (<i>Citrus sinensis</i>) Plantations.

Abstract

Soil management significantly influences the structure and diversity of soil bacterial communities, affecting biodiversity and ecosystem functions. In semi-arid regions, water efficiency strategies like anti-weed netting are implemented, but their impact on soil microbial communities remains underexplored. This study evaluates the temporal evolution of soil bacterial communities in orange tree (<i>Citrus sinensis</i> (L.) Osbeck) plantations under two conditions: with and without anti-weed netting. Soil samples were collected at three time points over a period of 18 months since the establishment of the crop and analyzed using high-throughput 16S rRNA sequencing, assessing alpha and beta diversity, taxonomic composition, and functional pathways via KEGG analysis. The results indicate that weed control netting contributes to stabilizing bacterial diversity over time and increases the relative abundance of dominant phyla such as Planctomycetota, Proteobacteria, Bacteroidota, and Acidobacteriota. Functional predictions revealed significant differences in metabolic pathways, including those associated with nitrogen fixation and organic matter degradation. These findings suggest that anti-weed netting not only influences the taxonomic composition of soil bacterial communities but also modulates their functional potential, with implications for sustainable agriculture in semi-arid environments. This study provides new insights into the interaction between soil management and soil bacterial communities, offering valuable information for optimizing agricultural practices and soil conservation strategies.