Summary: | To explore the response of rhizosphere chemical and biological properties to eight major afforestation species in Xiong’an New Area, we measured rhizosphere soil properties in their pure stands and analyzed the bacterial community structure using a high-throughput sequencing platform. The results showed that: (1) Compared with coniferous species, broadleaved species had higher total nutrient concentration and pH in the rhizosphere but lower available nutrient concentration and soil moisture. Nitrate nitrogen deficiency was found in all stands. (2) <i>Uncultured_bacterium_f_Longimicrobiaceae</i> and <i>RB41</i> could distinguish <i>Platycladus orientalis</i> (Linn.) Franco from other trees. Compared with other tree species, <i>Sabina chinensis</i> (Linn.) Ant., <i>Armeniaca vulgaris</i> Lam., and <i>Fraxinus chinensis</i> Roxb. gathered more Actinobacteria, Planctomycetes, and Gemmatimonadetes, respectively. <i>Uncultured_bacterium_o_Rokubacteriales</i>, <i>uncultured_bacterium_f_Gemmatimonadaceae</i>, and <i>uncultured_bacterium_c_Subgroup_6</i> were major contributors to the differences in bacterial communities among most tree species. (3) Species characteristics changed soil chemical properties, further affecting the bacterial community. Total carbon, organic matter, total nitrogen, and pH were the main factors explaining these variations. In general, <i>Sophora japonica</i> Linn. and <i>F. chinensis</i> could increase soil total nutrient significantly, which meant that they were more suitable for afforestation in the studied area than the other species. <i>P. orientalis</i> and <i>Pinus tabuliformis</i> Carr. were better choices among conifers. We suggest planting more mixed forests to improve the rhizosphere nutrient status of conifers. A suitable way to alleviate prevailing nitrogen and phosphorus limitations is also required, such as introducing understory vegetation or supplementing organic fertilizers.
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