Comparative analysis of soil microbial diversity and chemical properties in different Phallus dongsun habitats

Phallus dongsun is a rare edible mushroom, and soil covering cultivation is its main cultivation mode. Soil microbial community and chemical properties play crucial roles in the growth, development and yield formation of P. dongsun. To clarify differences in microbial community composition, structure, and soil chemical properties across soils associated with the growth of P. dongsun, four types of soil samples were collected from its habitats, namely wild soil (YS), no-yield soil (JC), medium-yield soil (ZC), and high-yield soil (GC). Systematic analyses were conducted on soil nutrient contents, pH values, and microbial communities. The results showed that compared with JC and ZC soils, YS and GC soils had significantly higher abundances of beneficial microbial phyla and genera. Specifically, they include the phyla Pseudomonadota, Gemmatimonadota, and Myxococcota, as well as the genera Bradyrhizobium, Sphingomonas, Candidatus Angelobacter, Pseudolabrys, and Rhodoplanes. The enrichment of these beneficial microorganisms may provide a favorable soil environment for the growth of P. dongsun. In addition, the results of microbial α-diversity analysis and principal component analysis (PCA) further indicated that the YS soil and GC soil had higher microbial richness and evenness. Moreover, these two soil types showed relatively small differences and high similarity in the composition and structure of the microbial community. Analysis of soil chemical properties indicated that YS and GC had higher pH values, and higher contents of total phosphorus (TP), available phosphorus (AP), total potassium (TK), and available potassium (AK) than JC and ZC. Meanwhile, a strong correlation was observed between multiple soil chemical properties and microbial communities in YS and GC. This study clarifies the microecological characteristics of different soils supporting P. dongsun growth and provides a theoretical basis for the high-yield simulated wild cultivation of P. dongsun.