This study examined the changes in soil enzymatic activity, microbial carbon source metabolic diversity, and straw decomposition
rates in paddy fields treated with 1, 2, or 3 years of straw returning (SR1–SR3). The soil’s ability to decompose straw
and cellulolytic bacteria increased with the number of treatment years (1: 31.9% vs. 2: 43.9% vs. 3: 51.9%, P < 0.05). The
numbers of Azotobacter, Nitrobacteria, cellulolytic bacteria, and inorganic phosphate bacteria increased progressively with
the numbers of straw returning years. Cellulolytic bacteria and inorganic phosphate bacteria were significantly positively
correlated with the decomposition rate (r = 0.783 and r = 0.375, P < 0.05). Based on 16S sequencing results, straw returning
improved the microbial diversity of paddy soils by increasing unclassified bacteria and keeping dominant soil microorganism
populations unchanged. The relative importance of individual microbial taxa was compared using random forest models.
Proteobacteria, ammoniating bacteria, and potassium dissolving bacteria contributed to peroxidase activity. The significant
contributors to phosphate monoesterase were Acidobacteriota, Desulfobacterota, ammoniating bacteria, cellulolytic bacteria,
and potassium-dissolving bacteria. Proteobacteria, ammoniating bacteria, cellulolytic bacteria, and potassium-dissolving bacteria
contributed to urease activity. Desulfobacterota, ammoniating bacteria, cellulolytic bacteria, and potassium-dissolving
bacteria contributed to the neutral invertase activity. In conclusion, soil microbial community structure and function were
affected within 2 years of straw returning, which was driven by the combined effects of soil organic carbon, available nitrogen,
available potassium, and pH. With elapsing straw returning years, soil properties interacted with soil microbial communities,
and a healthier soil micro-ecological environment would form.
Citations
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