Earthworms With Low Dose n‐ <scp> MoS <sub>2</sub> </scp> Improve Soybean Yield and Quality by Reconfiguring Rhizosphere Chemistry and Strengthening Nitrogen Fixation
ABSTRACT Nano‐enabled fertilizers can enhance biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) and yield in legumes; yet, their interactions with earthworms remain poorly understood. Herein, we performed a 120‐day greenhouse experiment applying low‐dose n‐MoS 2 at 10 mg kg −1 with earthworms to evaluate interactive effects on soybean yield and underlying mechanisms. Earthworms combined with n‐MoS 2 treatment promoted Mo release and transport, with translocation and bioaccumulation increased by 44% and 26%, respectively. Furthermore, the rhizosphere soil shifted towards NO 3 − dominance while pH remained stable and consistent with sustained nitrification. Belowground, root system architecture expanded by 33%–82% and nodulation upregulated by 51%–61% relative to control. Similarly, leaf photosynthetic capacity was maximized by 23%–32% and gas exchange efficiency by 23%–27% under the n‐MoS 2 with earthworm treatment. Additionally, NR, NiR, GS, GOGAT, and urease increased 30%–46% in shoots and 23%–43% in roots. Moreover, shoot and root N contents increased by 56%–68%, while nitrogenase activity and BNF increased by 40%–51%, respectively. Consequently, pods, seeds, and grain yield per plant increased by 90, 64% and 41%, respectively. Accordingly, seed protein and soluble sugars improved by 44% and 98%, respectively. Collectively, our findings show that earthworms amplify the efficacy of n‐MoS 2 , mobilizing Mo and strengthening BNF to deliver higher soybean yield and improved seed quality, supporting a practical, low‐input strategy for sustainable production.
Authors
- Te Zhang
- Imran Azeem (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8386-7560)
- Noman Shakoor (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5159-7415)
- Muhammad Nadeem (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2951-0851)
- Yukui Rui
- Muhammad Adeel
- Usama Zaheer (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1240-4657)
Institutions
- Izmir Institute of Technology (TR)
- Beijing Normal-Hong Kong Baptist University (CN)
- Shenzhen University (CN)
- Beijing Normal University (CN)
- Sanya University (CN)
- China Agricultural University (CN)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Physiologia Plantarum
- Published
- 2026-06-28
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1111/ppl.70988
- Primary Topic
- Soil Carbon and Nitrogen Dynamics
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- National Key Research and Development Program of China