Agroforestry Systems Enhance Phosphorus Availability and Modulate Soil Fungal Communities in Acidic Forest Soils

This study investigates the impact of agroforestry systems, integrating Pinus massoniana with economically important plants (Alpinia oxyphylla, Ficus simplicissima, Amomum villosum, and Curcuma longa), on phosphorus availability and soil fungal communities in acidic soils of South China. The research focuses on how agroforestry can alleviate aluminum toxicity, a major limiting factor for forest productivity in aluminum-rich soils, by reducing exchangeable aluminum and aluminum saturation. The study evaluates changes in phosphorus bioavailability and microbial biomass phosphorus (SMBP) in the rhizosphere of different agroforestry models and compares them with monoculture pine forests. Results indicate that agroforestry systems significantly enhance phosphorus cycling and fungal community diversity, with distinct responses observed across different plant combinations. This research provides insights into sustainable land management strategies that improve soil health, mitigate aluminum stress, and enhance ecosystem functioning in forest soils.