Unveiling Microbial Dynamics and Gene Expression in Legume-Buffel Grass Coculture Systems for Sustainable Agriculture

Legumes (Leguminosae) are beneficial for pasture health and soil productivity, as they can fix atmospheric nitrogen and improve soil microbiota. Coculture between legumes and grass is a sustainable practice that can increase biomass and biodiversity. Our earlier studies revealed that phytogenic bioactive product (PHY) improved microbial diversity in the soil, leading to a substantial and enduring boost in pasture growth. In this study, we focused on the effects of adapted legumes, including butterfly pea (Clitoria ternatea), seca stylo (Stylosanthes scabra), desmanthus (Desmanthus virgatus), lablab (Lablab purpureus), and wynn cassia (Chamaecrista rotundifolia) on soil microbial community and buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris) gene expression.