Bio-organic fertilizer promotes plant growth and yield and improves soil microbial community in continuous monoculture system of Chrysanthemum morifolium cv. Chuju

Abstract

Chuju, a cultivar of Chrysanthemum morifolium, has been growing for both drink and medicinal uses for hundreds of years in China. In recent years, however, continuous monoculture of Chuju has caused declines in growth and yields. In this study, we investigated the plant growth and yields, soil microbial community composition dynamics, and the improvements of bio-organic fertilizer on plant growth and yield in Chuju continuous cropping systems. Results showed that the yield of Chuju flowers was decreased by 11-37%, but Fusarium oxysporum and total fungus populations were respectively increased by 34-79% and 53-107% in soils continuously monocultured with Chuju for two to four years, as compared to those for one year. Bio-organic fertilizer significantly reduced F. oxysporum population and the ratio of F. oxysporum to total fungus population, but enhanced shoot biomass, flower diameter, and flower yields, in comparison with synthetic fertilizer. These results indicate that bio-organic fertilizer could be used to alleviate soil problems and to sustain crop production in continuous cropping systems of Chuju.