DataSheet_1_Combined effect of cover crops and bio-fertilizer on sustainable popcorn maize production.pdf

Cover crops play an important role in low-input cropping systems, increasing the use of agro-ecosystem services. Due to the lack of information about the impact of cover crops and bio-fertilizers on popcorn maize (Zea mays everta Sturt.) growth and yield quality, especially the popping volume and nutritive quality, such as concentrations of protein and mineral elements, this research aimed to provide essential information. The interrelation between popcorn maize productivity and quality with important groups of soil microorganisms presents additional novelty. The results demonstrated that field pea is a beneficial cover crop, especially when combined with a bio-fertilizer, supporting the accumulation of maize biomass, chlorophyll, yield potential, and the concentrations of protein, Ca, Mg, Fe, and Zn. In addition, field pea residues promoted N-fixing bacteria, and the number of total microorganisms, especially actinomycetes and decomposing bacteria, which could promote nutrient uptake and grain quality. Residues of cover crop mixtures, common vetch + winter oats and field pea + winter oats, promoted the total number of microorganisms in the soil, and up to the end of vegetation, a greater number of decomposition and ammonification microorganisms were found, especially when the bio-fertilizer was applied, which consequently could support greater maize biomass. Popping volume, as a main trait of popcorn maize, had the highest value in the common vetch + winter oats variant, supporting again the statement that quality traits could be enhanced in sustainable production. Unlike living cover crops, mulch mainly affected soil microbial communities and promoted the development of actinomycetes and cellulolytic microorganisms during the growing season. The results of this research could contribute to the development of sustainable popcorn maize production for improved grain quality. They could also serve as a basis for isolating beneficial soil microorganisms to develop new bio-fertilizers that could improve maize production in synergy with cover crops.

覆盖作物在低投入耕作系统中扮演着至关重要的角色，有助于提升农业生态系统服务之利用。鉴于关于覆盖作物与生物肥对爆裂玉米（Zea mays everta Sturt.）生长及产量品质影响的信息匮乏，尤其是爆裂体积及营养品质，如蛋白质和矿物质元素浓度等方面，本研究旨在提供必要的信息。爆裂玉米的生产力与品质与关键土壤微生物群体之间的相互关系亦呈现出新的研究亮点。研究结果表明，田豌豆作为一种有益的覆盖作物，尤其是与生物肥相结合时，有助于玉米生物量的积累、叶绿素的含量、产量潜力以及蛋白质、钙、镁、铁和锌的浓度。此外，田豌豆残渣促进了固氮细菌的生长，以及总微生物数量的增加，尤其是放线菌和分解细菌，这些均能促进营养物质的吸收和粮食品质的提升。混合覆盖作物残渣，如普通野豌豆与冬燕麦及田豌豆与冬燕麦的组合，促进了土壤中微生物总数的增加，直至植被期末，发现分解和氨化微生物的数量显著增加，尤其是在应用生物肥的情况下，这进而支持了玉米生物量的提升。爆裂体积作为爆裂玉米的主要性状，在普通野豌豆与冬燕麦变种中达到最高值，再次证实了在可持续生产中，品质性状可以得以提升。与活覆盖作物不同，覆盖物主要影响土壤微生物群落，并在生长季节促进了放线菌和纤维素分解微生物的发展。本研究结果可为可持续爆裂玉米生产及粮食品质的改善提供贡献。同时，这些结果也可作为分离有益土壤微生物的基础，以开发新的生物肥，这些生物肥能与覆盖作物协同作用，提升玉米产量。