Characteristics of microbial communities at different soil depths in areas subjected to cattle manure application: a 1- and 10-year comparative study

Abstract Background The rapid expansion of China’s livestock industry presents environmental challenges and opportunities for utilizing livestock manure as a fertilizer. This study investigates microbial community characteristics at various soil depths in areas treated with cattle manure, comparing the effects of short- (1 year) and long- (10 years) term manure application. Soil samples were collected from 0 to 100 cm depths at a model ranch in Inner Mongolia and analyzed using high-throughput sequencing, the neutral community model, and non-metric multidimensional scaling. Results Short-term manure application caused rapid changes in the microbial community structure, with increased abundances of genera, such as Antarcticibacterium and Nitrilinuptor . Long-term application resulted in improved community structure and increased abundance of crucial microbes, including Bradyrhizobium and Nocardioides , which enhanced nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium cycling. Manure application also boosted the microbial metabolic activities and soil organic matter accumulation, improving soil fertility and ecosystem stability. Conclusions The findings emphasize the significance of optimizing manure application strategies for sustainable agriculture, with long-term application stabilizing microbial communities and enhancing nutrient cycling efficiency and short-term application providing immediate fertility benefits. Future research should explore long-term dynamics and compare different organic fertilizers to develop effective soil management practices.