Effect of Irrigation Water Salinity on Soil Characteristics and Microbial Communities in Cotton Fields in Southern Xinjiang, China

Irrigation with saline water is a possible solution to alleviate freshwater shortages. The long-term use of for irrigation requires consideration the influence salt on environmental conditions soil. objective this field study was determine effects three continuous years physiochemical properties and microbial communities in drip-irrigated cotton fields. total dissolved solid (TDS) levels treatments were (i) 1 g L−1 (fresh water, FWI), (ii) 3 (brackish BWI), (iii) 7 (salt SWI). After years, electrical conductivity (EC), sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), contents K+, Na+, Mg2+, Cl−, SO42− SWI treatment significantly higher than those FWI BWI treatments, but there no significant differences EC K+ between treatments. increased biomass carbon (MBC), nitrogen (MBN), urease, sucrase contents. diversity abundance bacteria fungi not affected by irrigation, community structure altered. Saline resulted an elevation bacterial phylum Chloroflexi decline Proteobacteria Actinobacteria. For fungi, Ascomycota greater that Linear discriminant analysis effect size (NMDS) results indicated clear variation microbiota profiles FWI, BWI, bacteria. Regarding fungal profiles, had similar different from treatment. number biomarkers gradually increasing solids while decreased. Additionally, yield positively correlated observed species it negatively EC. Redundancy (RDA) showed regulated SAR soil salinity bulk density (BD). Future research will need look into how associated functional microorganisms are changing frequency under as well explore screen advantageous microorganisms.