Metagenomic analysis of soil microbial characteristics associated with Poa alpigena Lindm. in Qinghai Lake Gangcha County

Abstract

Abstract The Qinghai Lake Basin serves as a pivotal aquatic ecosystem for upholding the ecological security of the northeastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, thereby carrying substantial significance for the conservation of this region's ecology. Poa alpigena Lindm., a prevalent and dominant grass species across the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, plays a crucial role in soil and water conservation within the Qinghai Lake Basin. Soil microorganisms actively engage in root-soil interactions, exerting paramount influence on plant growth, health, and adaptability. In this study, we investigated the rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere soils of Poa tableland in the Gangcha region of Qinghai Lake. We examined the impact of Poa tableland on the composition and structure of soil microbial communities, while analyzing the diversity and disparities of microorganisms in these two soil types.The findings of this study indicate that the non-rhizosphere soil in the Gangcha region exhibits significantly higher microbial abundance and diversity compared to the rhizosphere soil. However, the proportions of dominant microorganisms show minimal variation between the two soil types. It is evident that the root system of Poa grass exerts a strong selective influence on the microbial assemblages in the soil environment. Analysis of KEGG metabolic pathways reveals notable enrichment of pathways related to photosynthesis and energy synthesis in the rhizosphere microbiota, whereas pathways associated with gene expression display significant enrichment in the non-rhizosphere soil microbiota. Moreover, the examination of dominant microorganisms across all soil samples reveals the presence of mutual inhibition or promotion relationships among different microbial taxa.