Mechanism of Combined Improvement of Saline‐Alkali Soil by Artificial Humic Acid and Microbial Inoculant
- 1College of Hydraulic Science and Engineering Northeast Agricultural University Harbin China
- 2International Cooperation Joint Laboratory of Health in Cold Region Black Soil Habitat of the Ministry of Education Harbin China
Abstract
To address the widespread constraints imposed by saline‐alkaline soils on agricultural production worldwide, the combined reclamation and carbon cycle regulation effects of artificial humic acid (AHA) and a multifunctional microbial inoculant were evaluated through pot experiments. Results demonstrated that co‐application of AHA (4 g·kg −1 ) and the inoculant (1 g·kg −1 ) significantly improved soil physicochemical properties: soil pH decreased by 11.0%, while EC and Na + content were reduced by 20.7% and 38.6%, respectively. Soil urease and catalase activities increased by 100% and 25%. This combined treatment increased crop yield by 64.2%. Microbial analysis indicated elevated bacterial alpha‐ and beta‐diversity in the treatment group, accompanied by significant community restructuring, characterized by the enrichment of functional taxa and a reduction in halotolerant groups. Furthermore, soil carbon metabolism was reconfigured: the Calvin cycle and reductive acetyl‐CoA pathway were suppressed, while anaerobic carbon fixation pathways, such as the reductive tricarboxylic acid cycle and the 3‐hydroxypropionate bicycle were promoted. In terms of carbon degradation, enzymatic systems for starch and lignin decomposition were preferentially activated, whereas cellulase activity was transiently inhibited. These findings elucidate the key mechanisms underlying the combined improvement of saline‐alkaline soils and carbon cycle regulation by AHA and microbial inoculant, providing a theoretical foundation for sustainable management of saline‐alkaline lands globally and advancing the understanding of nutrient‐microbe‐carbon cycle interactions in saline‐alkaline environments.
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BibTeX
@article{zhao2026mechanism,
title = {{Mechanism of Combined Improvement of Saline‐Alkali Soil by Artificial Humic Acid and Microbial Inoculant}},
author = {Ying Zhao and Rui Zhang and Zeyu Zhang and Fan Yang and Zhuqing Liu},
journal = {Land Degradation and Development},
year = {2026},
month = aug,
doi = {10.1002/ldr.70891},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1002/ldr.70891},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Mechanism of Combined Improvement of Saline‐Alkali Soil by Artificial Humic Acid and Microbial Inoculant
AU - Ying Zhao
AU - Rui Zhang
AU - Zeyu Zhang
AU - Fan Yang
AU - Zhuqing Liu
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/08/31
JO - Land Degradation and Development
DO - 10.1002/ldr.70891
UR - https://doi.org/10.1002/ldr.70891
AB - To address the widespread constraints imposed by saline‐alkaline soils on agricultural production worldwide, the combined reclamation and carbon cycle regulation effects of artificial humic acid (AHA) and a multifunctional microbial inoculant were evaluated through pot experiments. Results demonstrated that co‐application of AHA (4 g·kg −1 ) and the inoculant (1 g·kg −1 ) significantly improved soil physicochemical properties: soil pH decreased by 11.0%, while EC and Na + content were reduced by 20.7% and 38.6%, respectively. Soil urease and catalase activities increased by 100% and 25%. This combined treatment increased crop yield by 64.2%. Microbial analysis indicated elevated bacterial alpha‐ and beta‐diversity in the treatment group, accompanied by significant community restructuring, characterized by the enrichment of functional taxa and a reduction in halotolerant groups. Furthermore, soil carbon metabolism was reconfigured: the Calvin cycle and reductive acetyl‐CoA pathway were suppressed, while anaerobic carbon fixation pathways, such as the reductive tricarboxylic acid cycle and the 3‐hydroxypropionate bicycle were promoted. In terms of carbon degradation, enzymatic systems for starch and lignin decomposition were preferentially activated, whereas cellulase activity was transiently inhibited. These findings elucidate the key mechanisms underlying the combined improvement of saline‐alkaline soils and carbon cycle regulation by AHA and microbial inoculant, providing a theoretical foundation for sustainable management of saline‐alkaline lands globally and advancing the understanding of nutrient‐microbe‐carbon cycle interactions in saline‐alkaline environments.
SN - 1085-3278
SN - 1099-145X
ER -