New insights into the impact of wood vinegar on the growth and rhizosphere microorganisms of Cherry Radish (Raphanus Sativus)

Understanding the impact of wood vinegar (WV) on the growth of cherry radish is indispensable for its use in crop cultivation and evaluating its biosafety. Our study explored the regulation of rhizosphere microbial abundance and activity by WV, as well as the relationship between microbial community and growth factors in-depth and systematically. Bacterial communities at the phylum and genus levels were significantly changed after WV treatment. The abundance of Actinobacteriota and Firmicutes increased, while Proteobacteria was promoted in high carbon soil by WV application. Fungi positively responded to radish root traits and were correlated with aboveground biomass and fruit production. The fungi that correlated with photosynthesis included Albifimbria, Allomyces, Calcarisporiella, Clonostachys, Fusarium, Fusicolla, Knufia, Nigrospora, Paraconiothyrium, Preussia, Talaromyces, and Mortierellomycota. WV treatment significantly affected the composition and abundance of soil bacterial and fungal communities in radish rhizosphere. The promotion of radish growth by WV may be attributed to the stimulation of soil microorganisms that degraded aromatic compounds and drove nitrogen cycling. This study provided novel insights into the significant promotion of radish growth by WV and identified potential microbial targets for agricultural applications.