Endophytic bacteria widely exist inside plant tissues and have an important role in plant growth and development and the alleviation of environmental stress. However, little is known about the response of root-associated bacterial endophytes of Lei bamboo (Phyllostachys praecox) to intensive management, which is a common management practice for high bamboo shoot production in subtropical China. In this study, we comparatively investigated the root endophytic bacterial community structures in a chronosequence of intensively managed (5a, 10a, 15a, and 20a) and extensively managed plantations (as control, Con). The results showed that endophytic Proteobacteria was the dominant bacterial phylum in the bamboo roots. Intensive management significantly increased (p < 0.05) the bacterial observed species and Chao1 (except 5a) indices associated with bamboo roots. The relative abundances of Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, and Actinobacteria (except 15a) in the intensively managed bamboo roots significantly increased (p < 0.05) compared with those in Con, while the relative abundance of Proteobacteria significantly decreased in intensively managed bamboo roots (p < 0.05). The phyla Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Firmicutes were the biomarkers in Con, 5a, 15a, and 20a, respectively. Redundancy analysis (RDA) showed that soil alkali-hydrolysable N (AN), available phosphorus (AP), available K (AK), and total organic carbon (TOC) were significantly correlated (p < 0.05) with the bacterial community compositions. Our results suggest that the root endophytic microbiome of Lei bamboo was markedly influenced by intensive management practices, and the available nutrient status could be the main driving factor for such shifts. Although heavy fertilization in the intensive management system increased the diversity indices, the rapid changes in root endophyte communities and their relevant functions might indicate a high risk for sustainable management.

Moso bamboo is one of the fastest-growing plants in the world. The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of converting secondary broadleaf evergreen forests (CK) to Moso bamboo plantations, and the impact of different management strategies, including no disturbance (M0), extensive management (M1), and intensive management (M2), on the soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration potential, and relevant characteristics of the soil bacterial community. Our results showed that, in comparison with CK, M0 and M1 had significantly higher SOC and recalcitrant organic materials (aliphatic and aromatic compounds), and a lower C mineralization rate, whereas M2 had the opposite effects. The conversion from CK to Moso bamboo plantation significantly decreased the relative abundance of Acidobacteria in both the topsoil and subsoil soil layers. Compared with CK, M0 led to the enrichment of bacteria such as Alphaproteobacteria, Chloroflexi, and Bacteroidetes, which are involved in the decomposition of organic matter and the formation of humus and are, therefore, potentially beneficial for increasing the SOC. Furthermore, the ratio of the microbial biomass C (MBC) to total organic C (TOC), C mineralization rate, and bacterial diversity increased from M0 to M2, i.e., with an increase in the disturbance intensity. These findings indicate that the conversion of secondary broadleaf forest to bamboo forest alter the soil bacterial community structure. Reducing disturbance in bamboo forest management strategies should be actively taken up to improve the SOC, and maintain sustainable development in the forest industry.

Integrated bamboo-chicken farming (BCF) systems are a traditional agroforestry pattern with large economic benefits in subtropical China. However, little is known regarding the effect of this integration on the bamboo leaf-associated microbiome, which can be very important for disease control and nutrient turnover. In the present study, we compared the leaf-associated bacterial and fungal communities of moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis) in a BCF system and an adjacent moso bamboo forest (MBF). The results showed that Cyanobacteria and Ascomycota were the predominant microbial phyla associated with bamboo leaves. Chicken farming under the bamboo forest significantly increased the bacterial and fungal alpha diversity (observed operational taxonomic units (OTUs) and Simpson’s index) associated with bamboo leaves. Principal components analysis (PCoA) further confirmed the shifts in the bacterial and fungal communities caused by chicken farming. Based on the observed relative abundances, the phyla Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria, TM7, and Basidiomycota were significantly increased on BCF-associated leaves compared with MBF leaves, while Acidobacteria and Ascomycota were significantly decreased. An ecological function prediction analysis based on metabolic processes indicated that BCF could accelerate nutrient (C, N, and S) cycling but may increase the risk of fungal-associated diseases. Our findings suggest that shifts in leaf-associated bacterial and fungal communities can be important indicators for the scientific management of BCF systems.