Arid salt marsh ecosystems endure chronic water scarcity and high salinity stress, with the stability of their functions inextricably linked to the pivotal role of the rhizosphere microenvironment of halophytes. This study focused on three typical halophytes (Kalidium cuspidatum, Nitraria tangutorum, Reaumuria soongarica) in the Jiantan wetland, and deeply explore how these halophytes differently regulate the soil microenvironment through the rhizosphere effect. The results showed that the rhizosphere soil of Kalidium cuspidatum had higher pH, Na⁺, and K⁺ contents, while the rhizosphere soil of R. soongarica had higher total carbon, soil organic carbon, alkali-hydrolyzable nitrogen, and microbial biomass. Microbial community analysis revealed that rhizosphere soil of fungal diversity was significantly higher in K. cuspidatum than in R. soongarica, with distinct differences in bacterial and fungal community structures. These differences were closely associated with factors such as Na⁺, Olsen phosphorus, microbial biomass carbon and alkali-hydrolyzable nitrogen. Among the dominant phyla, Proteobacteria and Ascomycota predominate, with Desulfobacterota and Mortierellomycota exhibiting the highest explanatory power (>48%) for physicochemical property variations. The microbial network of rhizosphere soil of R. soongarica has the highest complexity (with 633 nodes and 3300 edges), but the proportion of positive correlation edges was the lowest (21.58%). Structural equation modeling indicates that soil physical properties indirectly influence network complexity by negatively regulating chemical properties and microbial biomass, while microbial diversity had a direct positive effect on dominant phylum composition and network complexity. This study elucidated the differentiated adaptive strategies of rhizosphere microenvironment-microbe interactions in halophytes, providing a theoretical basis for wetland ecological restoration.

Cadmium (Cd) contamination in rice paddies poses serious threats to food safety. This study investigated the effects of bamboo biochar, a microbial agent, and their combination on Cd accumulation, soil properties, and rhizosphere microbial communities in the rice cultivar ‘Ning 47’ (Oryza sativa L.) under Cd stress (20 mg·kg⁻¹). Cd stress significantly reduced plant height, root length, and yield. However, combined treatment with biochar and microbial agent (CdMB) effectively mitigated these effects, reducing Cd content in grains, stems, and roots by 85.98%, 88.66%, and 73.89%, respectively, compared to Cd treatment alone. The CdMB treatment also significantly increased soil organic matter and total nitrogen content while decreasing soil Cd levels by 88.38%. Network analysis identified Flavisolibacter as a keystone taxon under CdMB treatment, indicating enhanced microbial network stability. This also provides a theoretical reference for the management of heavy metal contamination in agricultural soils. By reducing grain Cd contamination and enhancing soil health, this integrated approach addresses key targets of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), and SDG 15 (Life on Land).