Research has shown that many nutrients in the soil directly participate in plant metabolism, and when the soil nutrient structure is disrupted, the normal growth and development of the host plant, as well as various physiological processes, can be inhibited to varying degrees. This can lead to slow growth, metabolic disorders, reduced crop yields and quality, and even plant death. In recent years, the addition of exogenous bioactive crop nutrients has become an effective method to mitigate the adverse effects of continuous monoculture. The goal is to improve soil quality for sustainable, high-quality production.
Alginate oligosaccharides (AOS), derived from seaweed, have garnered significant attention in agricultural production. AOS are degradation products of high molecular weight alginate with a degree of polymerization ranging from 2 to 10. They can be prepared using chemical, physical, or enzymatic methods. Compared to high molecular weight polysaccharides, AOS have stable properties, are easily soluble in water, and are safe and non-toxic, which translates to broader application prospects in agriculture.
1.1 The Influence of AOS on Plant Growth
AOS significantly influenced the growth indicators of seedlings, such as plant height and root length. Compared to the control group, AOS-treated seedlings showed a notable increase in both parameters at 14, 21, and 28 days, indicating a stimulating effect on growth, particularly in the early stages.
1.2 The Impact of AOS on Soil Physicochemical Properties
AOS treatment did not significantly affect soil conductivity. However, it did lead to a marked increase in soil total nitrogen, organic matter, and available potassium content at 7 days, with no significant changes in nitrate nitrogen, ammonium nitrogen, or organic matter content. By 28 days, these nutrients continued to increase, suggesting a positive effect of AOS on soil nutrient structure.
1.3 The Effect of AOS on Rhizosphere Soil Microbial Diversity
AOS treatment resulted in a noticeable improvement in the rhizosphere soil microecology. The dominant phyla in the soil samples were Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, and Bacteroidetes. The relative abundance of these phyla was higher in the AOS-treated group, indicating a positive impact on microbial diversity.
Overall
AOS can alter the growth rate of seedlings, leading to changes in soil nutrient composition and an improved rhizosphere soil bacterial community. These findings offer new insights into the role of AOS in plant growth and development, providing a new approach for enhancing yield and quality.
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