Biogas Slurry as an Alternative to Chemical Fertilizer: Changes in Soil Properties and Microbial Communities of Fluvo-Aquic Soil in the North China Plain

Biogas slurry application offers an alternative to chemical fertilizer in realizing ecologically recycling agriculture. However, the responses of soil fertility and microbial communities long term use biogas need be explored different types regions. We investigated effects repeated applications over six years on properties characteristics a fluvo-aquic North China Plain. The experiment, with equivalent nitrogen inputs, comprised: (BS), (CF) or substitution half (BSCF); control treatment had no addition. Soil samples, at depth 0–20 cm, were collected for their physicochemical properties. Microbial community diversity composition was using high-throughput sequencing. treatments tended lower bulk density while increasing water-holding capacity water-stable aggregate mean weight diameter. Organic carbon available nutrient concentrations (nitrogen, potassium phosphorus) enhanced all fertilization relative control, especially BSCF treatment. Significant differences detected between treatments. resulted greatest most evenly balanced assemblages both bacteria fungi phylum level. There clear associations changes environmental variables caused by Bacterial alpha associated particularly total nitrogen, pH, potassium, whereas fungal more related potassium. Half gave improvement structure availability this greater better communities. Our results suggest that partial is complete it benefits topsoil soils. It also represents promising approach biogas-linked agroecosystem restores sustainable coordination cropping animal husbandry under intensive production regime.