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Soil inoculations with Anabaena cylindrica improve aggregate stability and nutrient dynamics in an arable soil and exhibit potential for erosion control

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Abstract

Cyanobacteria are promising platforms for improving soil structure and fertility in the challenge of preserving and enhancing the soil resource and limiting environmental impacts of agriculture. To advance applications in agricultural settings, further understanding is needed on different soils and agroecological regions. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of inoculating an arable Mollisol from the U.S. Upper Midwest with the dinitrogen (N2)-fixing cyanobacterium Anabaena cylindrica. Three laboratory experiments were conducted to examine (1) soil structure and nutrient dynamics, (2) soil loss and soil and water nutrient levels after high intensity rain simulations, and (3) soil mineralization of cyanobacterial biomass. The first experiment showed that inoculation increased the water stability of macroaggregates (3–5 and 5–9 mm) after 6 weeks of incubation and increased soil soluble organic carbon (C), nitrogen (N), available phosphorus (P), and decreased C:N ratio. Rain simulations indicated that inoculation significantly decreased soil loss by runoff in one of eight rain events, with no other differences between treatments, although differences within treatments occurred with time. Soil inoculation led to increased soluble nutrient levels in runoff water, with highest nutrient mobilization in the first rain events. Finally, soil mineralization of cyanobacterial biomass indicated a gradual release of plant available N and P. These results confirm that soil cyanobacterial inoculations can increase aggregate stability, enhance resistance to water erosion and provide plant available nutrients, benefiting soil fertility. The study supports the advancement of cyanobacteria-based applications to reduce our reliance on chemical fertilizers and promote sustainability and resiliency in agriculture.

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Data Availability

The datasets from this study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to Alan Wilts, Jay Hanson, and Gary Amundson from the USDA-ARS, NCSCRL, Morris, MN, for their technical support in nutrient chemical analysis, and infrastructure needs for rain simulations. The authors are also thankful to Dr. Brent Peyton from Montana State University for sharing his observations on the cyanobacterial strain used in this study. Finally, the authors extend their gratitude to two anonymous reviewers and the editor whose insights and constructive comments greatly improved the quality of the final version of this manuscript.

Funding

Adriana L Alvarez was supported by the MnDrive Global Food Ventures Program and the Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering from the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS) of the University of Minnesota. Sharon L Weyers and Jane MF Johnson are federal employees supported by the USDA-Agricultural Research Service. Robert D Gardner was supported by the Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering, University of Minnesota.

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  1. Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering, University of Minnesota, 1390 Eckles Ave, 213 BAE, St. Paul, MN, 55108, USA

    Adriana L. Alvarez & Robert D. Gardner

  2. USDA-ARS, North Central Soil Conservation Research Laboratory, Morris, MN, 56267, USA

    Sharon L. Weyers & Jane M. F. Johnson

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All authors contributed to the conception, design, and data interpretation of this study. Adriana L Alvarez collected and analyzed data and wrote the original draft. Sharon L Weyers analyzed data, reviewed, and edited the manuscript. Jane MF Johnson reviewed and edited the manuscript. Jane MF Johnson and Robert D Gardner provided laboratory resources. Robert D Gardner supervised the work and acquired funds.

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Alvarez, A.L., Weyers, S.L., Johnson, J.M.F. et al. Soil inoculations with Anabaena cylindrica improve aggregate stability and nutrient dynamics in an arable soil and exhibit potential for erosion control. J Appl Phycol 33, 3041–3057 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10811-021-02526-9

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