Divergent profiles of rhizosphere soil carbon and nitrogen cycling in Pinus massoniana provenances with different types of carbon storage

Notably, in <i>P. massoniana</i> provenances characterized by high carbon storage, the rhizosphere presented a significantly elevated presence of genes associated with carbon decomposition, carbon assimilation, methane generation, and denitrification, in stark contrast to provenances with medium and low carbon storage. Furthermore, <i>P. massoniana</i> provenances with high carbon storage rates presented increased transformation and availability of soil carbon and nitrogen, along with increased potential for ecological restoration. Moreover, the rhizosphere soil nitrification of <i>P. massoniana</i> provenances with low carbon storage surpassed that of other provenances, leading to increased available nitrogen content and elevated nitrate leaching risk. In the <i>P. massoniana</i> rhizosphere, critical soil factors, including soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), pH, and nitrate nitrogen (NO₃ ^--N) content, significantly shape the functionality of genes associated with carbon and nitrogen cycling. In conclusion, our study lays a scientific foundation for establishing <i>P. massoniana</i> plantations and identifying <i>P. massoniana</i> provenances with superior ecological value and potential.