Irradiated carbon-rich organic resources promotes the rhizosphere microbe diversity and alleviate disease in corn seed production

The Hexi Corridor provides two-thirds of the nation's total seed supply. However, long-term monocropping has restricted plant growth, increased annual disease incidence, and hindered the sustainable development of the local seed industry. A study examined the impact of two carbon-rich residues, both irradiated and non-irradiated, on the rhizosphere microbes associated with corn seed production using a pot experiment and high-throughput sequencing.The results indicated that irradiated residues increased bacterial diversity, reduced fungal diversity, altered microbial functionality, and decreased the relative abundance of pathogens. Additionally, plant growth and soil properties improved. Carbon-rich irradiated biogas and furfural residues promoted soil rhizosphere microbes in maize, responding to an increase in beneficial rhizosphere microorganisms. The impact of irradiation on rhizosphere microbes was more significant than that of incubation or non-irradiation. Irradiated biogas residue had a greater impact on bacterial diversity and functionality compared to irradiated furfural residue, whereas the effects on fungal diversity and functionality were reversed between the two residues.The application of two residues, with or without irradiation, improved soil physicochemical properties, enhanced plant growth, and reduced disease incidence. Carbon-rich resources, when combined with irradiation, promote soil rhizosphere microbial diversity and suppress pathogen invasion by encouraging beneficial microbes. Using irradiated carbon-rich resources can serve as an effective method for disease control and a sustainable solution to improve long-term corn seed production systems.