Acid Phosphatase-Driven Advancements in Peanut Growth and Microbial Community Dynamics in Phosphorus-Limited Soils

Increasing in the secretion of acid phosphatase is considered as one of plant strategies to acclimate to low phosphorus (P) stress. This study aims to determine the impact of acid phosphataseon phosphorus solubilizing and nitrogen fixing bacterial communities that are beneficial for peanut phosphorus and nitrogen absorption in soil, as well as its alleviation mechanism on peanuts under low phosphorus stress. A pot experiment was conducted with three treatments: no phosphorus addition (NK), addition of acid phosphatase (NKACP), and phosphorus addition (NPK). Influences on soil properties, plant growth, and phosphate-solubilizing bacteria and nitrogen-fixing bacteria in the rhizosphere of 60-day old peanut plants were investigated. Application of acid phosphatase had significantly positive effects on the changes of properties of peanut root, soil properties, soil characteristics, and the composition of rhizosphere phosphate-solubilizing bacteria and nitrogen-fixing bacteria communities. Application of acid phosphatase effectively increased the availability of phosphorus and nitrogen in the soil, subsequently improved phosphorus and nitrogen acquisition and nodule formation. Nineteen connectors in phosphate-solubilizing bacteria network and 16 connectors in nitrogen-fixing bacteria network were identified with PSBASV1684, PSBASV1011, NFBASV122, and NFBASV701 as key intersections. The analysis of community assembly processes indicated that deterministic processes predominantly governed the assembly of these two functional bacterial communities. This study enhances our understanding and provides valuable insights into the correlations between acid phosphatase application and the dynamics of two crucial functional bacterial communities in low phosphorus soil.