The influence of fertilizer optimization on the microbial environment of rice soil

This study elucidates the effects of a reduced nitrogen fertilization strategy amended with biochar on the bacterial community structure and diversity in paddy soil. The primary objective is to assess whether biochar application can mitigate the potential negative impacts of nitrogen reduction on soil microbial ecosystems and enhance soil fertility.We utilized high-throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene (V3-V4 hypervariable region) on the Illumina MiSeq platform to profile the prokaryotic microbiota. The experiment followed a randomized complete block design with six treatments: no N (CK), conventional N application (N100), 20% N-reduction (N80), 20% N-reduction combined with BC (N80BC,), 40% N-reduction (N60), and 40% N-reduction combined with BC (N60BC). Sampling was performed across multiple growth stages of rice.Our analysis focuses on determining the changes in microbial diversity indices, community structure (beta-diversity), and taxonomic composition. A key aim is to identify differentially abundant taxa and to predict potential functional shifts, particularly in processes linked to nitrogen cycling (e.g., nitrification, denitrification) and carbon sequestration. We hypothesize that the addition of biochar under reduced nitrogen conditions will foster a more diverse and stable microbial community, potentially enhancing the functional resilience of the soil environment.This dataset provides a detailed resource for understanding how biochar interacts with nitrogen fertilizer management to shape the soil microbiota. It is valuable for research in sustainable agriculture, climate-smart farming (carbon sequestration), and microbial ecology. The data is publicly available to support further comparative and mechanistic studies.