Native woody species depend on the soil microbiome to establish on burned soils, while non-native do not

To assess the restoration of plant-microbiome interactions in ecosystems impacted by fire, we executed a series of controlled greenhouse experiments that emulated the conditions of wildfire on soils extracted from the Maulino Coastal Forest in central Chile—recognized as a significant biodiversity hotspot. The study focused on six plant species, including three native species: Aristotelia chilensis, Nothofagus glauca, and Nothofagus alessandrii, as well as three non-native species: Eucalyptus globulus, Pinus radiata, and Genista monspessulana. These plants were cultivated in three different soil conditions: unburned soil, burned soil, and burned soil that had been re-inoculated with the native microbiome. Throughout a 90-day period, we meticulously recorded the growth metrics, such as plant height and photosynthesis rates, and assessed the two-year survival probabilities of the planted species to determine the long-term effects of soil conditions on plant survival and health. Further extending the study over 360 days, we measured the concentrations of key soil nutrients—nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K)—along with the activities of critical microbial enzymes, including dehydrogenase, β-glucosidase, and urease. These metrics provided comprehensive insights into the biochemical and microbial dynamics of soil health and plant-microbiome interactions post-wildfire, contributing valuable information to restoration ecology practices in fire-disturbed landscapes.