The Role of Plant-Soil Interactions on Crop Yields and Carbon Sequestration

Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

Plant–soil interactions are crucial for the functioning of terrestrial ecosystems and their response to global climate change. On the one hand, plants can provide carbon sources to soil organisms through underground carbon inputs. On the other hand, soil biological activities release nutrients required by plants and affect the balance between soil carbon respiration and carbon stability. In addition, soil microorganisms can also interact with plants in more direct ways, such as promoting plant growth and increasing crop yields through mycorrhizal symbiosis, rhizosphere hormone release, and stress signal regulation. However, our current understanding of these interactions is still limited. This Topic aims to highlight the significance of plant–soil interactions by presenting novel research findings and innovative approaches that elucidate the mechanisms underlying these complex relationships, ultimately aiming to enhance ecosystem functioning and resilience in the face of global climate change.

Dr. Jifu Ma
Dr. Meng Zhou
Dr. Caiqing Qin
Topic Editors

Keywords

Participating Journals

Journal Name	Impact Factor	CiteScore	Launched Year	First Decision (median)	APC
Agriculture agriculture	3.6	6.3	2011	18.8 Days	CHF 2600	Submit
Agronomy agronomy	3.4	6.7	2011	17 Days	CHF 2600	Submit
Ecologies ecologies	1.9	3.0	2020	23 Days	CHF 1200	Submit
International Journal of Plant Biology ijpb	-	3.0	2010	17 Days	CHF 1400	Submit
Plants plants	4.1	7.6	2012	16.5 Days	CHF 2700	Submit
Soil Systems soilsystems	3.5	5.4	2017	29.9 Days	CHF 1800	Submit

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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All Agriculture Agronomy Ecologies IJPB Plants Soil Systems

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24 pages, 1717 KB  

Open AccessReview

Autotrophic and Mixotrophic Microbial Carbon Assimilation During Organic Residue Decomposition in Mollisols: Mechanisms and Controls

by Ming Sheng, Wei Hu, Libin Wu, Shujun Zhong and Mutong Niu

Agronomy 2026, 16(4), 423; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy16040423 - 10 Feb 2026

Viewed by 282

Abstract

Mollisols represent foundational agricultural soils in which high organic carbon (C) and active microbiomes sustain fertility and mediate global C cycling. However, decades of intensive cultivation have depleted soil organic C (SOC) and degraded soil structure and function. Enhancing C sequestration in agricultural [...] Read more.

Mollisols represent foundational agricultural soils in which high organic carbon (C) and active microbiomes sustain fertility and mediate global C cycling. However, decades of intensive cultivation have depleted soil organic C (SOC) and degraded soil structure and function. Enhancing C sequestration in agricultural Mollisols through the incorporation of organic residue, such as crop residues, organic waste, and spent mushroom substrates has become an urgent scientific and management priority. This review integrates advances from the past decade, combining stable isotope probing, multi-omics analyses, and ultrahigh-resolution molecular characterization to elucidate how microorganisms mediate C sequestration during organic residue return and decomposition. We propose a four-dimensional conceptual framework, “substrate–microenvironment–metabolic pathway–residue stabilization,” that links microbial metabolism with long-term C persistence in Mollisols. We further highlight that organic residue inputs promote CO₂ sequestration via fermentation–autotrophy coupling, nitrifying autotrophy, and microbial mixotrophy. Major C sequestration pathways operate synergistically across redox microenvironments, forming stratified metabolic networks that sustain continuous C cycling. The chemical composition and decomposition kinetics of organic residue governs substrate and energy fluxes for microbial C sequestration, while soil redox status, and nutrient coupling (Carbon–Nitrogen–Phosphorus–Sulfur) collectively direct C flow toward stabilization. Microbial necromass and extracellular polymers achieve long-term C storage through mineral adsorption and microaggregate formation. Finally, we summarize recent methodological advances for tracing microbial CO₂ sequestration in agricultural Mollisols and identify key research needs on residue formation, C use efficiency, and aggregate-mineral protection mechanisms. This synthesis establishes a mechanistic foundation for biologically regulated C management and offers guidance for sustainable cropland restoration. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic The Role of Plant-Soil Interactions on Crop Yields and Carbon Sequestration)

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17 pages, 2525 KB  

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Freeze–Thaw Cycles on Soil Aggregate Stability and Organic Carbon Distribution Under Different Land Uses

by Yuting Cheng, Maolin Liu, Yi Zhang, Shuhao Hao, Xiaohu Dang and Ziyang Wang

Agriculture 2025, 15(22), 2369; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15222369 - 15 Nov 2025

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Abstract

Soil aggregates are critical determinants of soil erosion resistance and nutrient retention capacity, while freeze–thaw cycles (FTCs) induce the structural reorganization of soil aggregates, thereby altering soil stability and influencing soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration. This study was located in the Minjia River [...] Read more.

Soil aggregates are critical determinants of soil erosion resistance and nutrient retention capacity, while freeze–thaw cycles (FTCs) induce the structural reorganization of soil aggregates, thereby altering soil stability and influencing soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration. This study was located in the Minjia River Basin in the typical seasonal freeze–thaw areas of the Loess Plateau and aimed to quantify the effects of FTCs on soil aggregate stability and SOC content under different land use types. Farmland, grassland, and forestland with more than 20 years of usage in the region were selected, and a 0–20 cm soil layer was subjected to seven FTCs (−8 °C to 20 °C), followed by wet and dry sieving classification, focusing on soil aggregate distribution, aggregate stability, mean weight diameter (MWD), geometric mean diameter (GMD), aggregate particle fractal dimension (APD), and SOC content of the aggregate. The results showed that soil aggregates in all land use types were dominated by macroaggregates (>2 mm), with the proportion in forestland (61–63%) > grassland (54–58%) > farmland (38–51%). FTCs enhanced aggregate stability across all land use types, especially in farmland. Concurrently, FTCs reduced the SOC content in all aggregate size fractions, with reduction rates ranging from farmland (9.00–21%) to grassland (4–26%) to forestland (5–31%). Notably, FTCs significantly increased the contribution of 2–5 mm water-stable (WS) aggregates to SOC sequestration, with increment rates of 86% (farmland), 80% (grassland), and 86% (forestland). Furthermore, FTCs altered the correlation between SOC content and aggregate stability. Specifically, the positive correlations of SOC with MWD and GMD were strengthened in aggregates < 0.5 mm but weakened in aggregates >0.5 mm. These findings advance our understanding of the coupled mechanisms underlying soil erosion and carbon cycling across land uses under freeze–thaw, providing a theoretical basis for ecosystem restoration and optimized soil carbon management in cold regions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic The Role of Plant-Soil Interactions on Crop Yields and Carbon Sequestration)

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