A new study published in Nitrogen Cycling shows that integrated rice-crayfish farming strengthens soil nutrient cycling more than rice monoculture. Researchers used metagenomic sequencing to compare microbial genes in the paddy field and peripheral trench of a long-term rice-crayfish system. They found higher abundance of genes for methane oxidation, nitrogen degradation, denitrification, and organic phosphorus mineralization. This means the system can improve nutrient use efficiency and reduce fertilizer needs. The study identified key environmental drivers like total nitrogen and dissolved organic carbon that shape microbial communities. The paddy area showed stronger microbial diversity and nutrient cycling potential than the trench. This suggests that rice-crayfish farming reorganizes soil biology to better couple carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus transformations. The findings offer a microbial basis for designing more sustainable agricultural systems that combine crop production with aquaculture.
