THE VARIETY-SPECIFIC IMPROVEMENT EFFECTS OF ALFALFA ON SOIL PROPERTIES AND MICROBIAL COMMUNITIES IN SALINE-ALKALI SOILS

Soil salinity poses a significant threat to global ecological sustainability.Cultivating salttolerant crops like alfalfa offers a practical strategy to improve saline-alkali soils.While the effects of alfalfa cultivation on soil properties and microbial ecology have been widely studied, there is limited understanding of how different alfalfa varieties influence these processes.This study used highthroughput sequencing to analyze bacterial, fungal, and archaeal communities in bare soil and rhizospheres of various alfalfa cultivars.Alfalfa cultivation reduced soil pH and electrical conductivity (EC) while increasing nutrient levels, with variations among cultivars.It enhanced microbial diversity, altered microbial community structure, and increased beneficial microbes while reducing pathogens.Different cultivars stimulated key soil functions like nitrification and chitin degradation.Among the varieties, A6 and A4 showed the greatest potential for saline soil restoration.A6 enhanced soil carbon storage and nutrient cycling, while A4 significantly improved microbial diversity.This study highlights the potential of alfalfa cultivation to restore saline-alkali soils and improve ecological functions.By tailoring alfalfa varieties to specific soil conditions, these findings provide valuable insights for sustainable agricultural practices in saline-alkali environments.