Long-term fertilization effects on soil health and ecosystem multifunctionality in a karst agroecosystem

This dataset is derived from a long-term field experiment conducted at the Huanjiang Observation and Research Station for Karst Ecosystems, Southwest China, by the Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences. The experiment began in 2006 and lasted for 12 years, using a maize–soybean rotation system. Six fertilization treatments were applied: an unfertilized control (CK), mineral fertilizer alone (NPK), and NPK combined with low or high rates of straw (LSNPK, HSNPK) or composted cattle manure (LMNPK, HMNPK). The aim was to evaluate how different fertilization strategies affect crop productivity, soil aggregation, soil organic carbon (SOC) stability, microbial community structure, microbial necromass, and ecosystem multifunctionality (EMF).Data DescriptionThe dataset includes the following components:Crop Yield and Biomass Data (2009–2018)Grain yield and aboveground biomass for maize and soybean.Units: g m⁻² yr⁻¹.Organized by year, block, and treatment.Soil Aggregate Distribution and SOC Content (2017)Mass proportion of soil aggregates in four size fractions: >2000 µm, 250–2000 µm, 53–250 µm, and <53 µm.SOC concentration within each aggregate fraction (g C kg⁻¹ soil).Soil Organic Carbon Chemical Composition (2017)Functional C groups (alkyl, O-alkyl, aromatic, carbonyl C) determined by solid-state ¹³C NMR spectroscopy.Two stability indices: aliphaticity index and recalcitrance index.Microbial Community and Necromass Carbon Data (2017)Phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) biomarkers for microbial groups, including bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes, and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi.Microbial necromass carbon content (fungal, bacterial, and total) and its contribution to SOC (%).Soil Physicochemical Properties and Ecosystem Multifunctionality Index (EMF)Soil bulk density, pH, SOC, total nitrogen, and total phosphorus.Microbial biomass carbon (MBC), nitrogen (MBN), and phosphorus (MBP).Activities of soil enzymes: β-D-glucosidase (BG), β-N-acetylglucosaminidase (NAG), L-leucine aminopeptidase (LAP), and acid phosphatase (AP).EMF index calculated from 21 ecosystem functions using Z-score averaging.Potential Use CasesThis dataset can be used to:Analyze the long-term effects of fertilization on agroecosystem structure and function；Investigate relationships between soil carbon stability and microbial community dynamics；Evaluate how organic amendments influence ecosystem multifunctionality；Support sustainable soil management and policy-making in karst regions.