Biological Control of Melon Continuous Cropping Obstacles: Weakening the Negative Effects of the Vicious Cycle in Continuous Cropping Soil
Yongli Ku, Wenqiang Li, Xueli Mei, Xiangna Yang, Cuiling Cao, Huimei Zhang, Le Cao, Minglei Li
Abstract
The soil environment, crop growth and fruit quality of melons are negatively affected by long-term continuous cropping. It is important to study the mechanism of continuous cropping obstacles and their biological control. In this study, we propose a novel interaction model of the occurrence factors of continuous cropping obstacles. The dominant phenolic acids, pathogenic fungi, and root-knot nematodes from melon soil balance each other, forming a vicious cycle. Bacillus subtilis C3 weakened the negative effects of this cycle on melon by eliminating phenolic acids and inhibiting the growth of Fusarium and root-knot nematodes. In addition, C3 also improved the composition and structure of the melon rhizosphere microbial community. These results advance the study of the occurrence mechanism of continuous cropping obstacles and demonstrate an efficient and environmentally friendly biological control scheme.