Functional Characteristics and Cellulose Degradation Genes of the Microbial Community in Soils with Different Initial pH Values

Abstract

Soil pH critically regulates microbial community structure and activity, thereby influencing carbon transformation processes in terrestrial ecosystems. However, the mechanisms underlying pH-mediated shifts in microbial metabolic functions and cellulose-degrading functional genes remain poorly understood. This study investigated the responses of bacterial communities, metabolic profiles, and the abundance of cellobiohydrolase I (cbhI) and glycoside hydrolase family 48 (GH48) genes to varying pH levels in fluvo-aquic and red soils. High-throughput sequencing, PICRUSt-based metabolic prediction, and quantitative PCR were employed to analyze microbial composition, functional traits, and gene dynamics. Network analysis clarified linkages between functional genes, pathways, and taxa. The results revealed that elevated pH significantly increased CO2 emissions and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) content in both soils. Dominant taxa, including Alphaproteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Xanthomonadaceae, and Mycoplasma, exhibited pH-dependent enrichment. Metabolic predictions indicated that pH positively influenced genes linked to biodegradation and xenobiotic metabolism in fluvo-aquic soil but suppressed energy-metabolism-related genes. Contrastingly, in red soil, cbhI and GH48 gene abundance declined with rising pH, suggesting that acidic conditions favor cellulolytic activity. Network analysis identified strong positive correlations between CO2 emissions and Caulobacteraceae, while cbhI and GH48 genes were closely associated with taxa such as Xanthomonadaceae, Comamonadaceae, and Micromonosporaceae, which drive organic matter decomposition. These findings underscore pH as a pivotal regulator of microbial community structure and functional gene expression, with soil-specific responses highlighting the need for tailored strategies to optimize carbon cycling and sequestration in agricultural ecosystems.