Effects of application rates of poly-γ-glutamic acid on vegetable growth and soil bacterial community structure

[Display omitted] •High-molecular-weight γ-PGA (over 4000 kDa) was produced by Bacillus sp. A-5.•Appropriate rate of γ-PGA increased vegetable yield and the apparent fertilizer utilization efficiencies.•Moderate and high rates of γ-PGA application offset the chemical fertilizer reduction.•γ-PGA regulated soil microbial structure in a concentration-dependent manner. In this study, we investigated the effect of high-molecular-weight γ-PGA (over 4000 kDa) produced by Bacillus sp. A-5 on Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa L. ssp. chinensis L.) productivity, apparent fertilizer utilization efficiencies, and soil bacterial community structure. Compared to CF treatment, γ-PGA application at low rates (P0 and P1) decreased vegetable yield by 14.29% and 17.30%, respectively; however, P2, P3, and F2 (moderate and high doses of γ-PGA application) offset the chemical fertilizer reduction and thereby increased the apparent utilization efficiencies by 27.82–52.27% for N, 17.05–64.59% for P, and 32.73–41.43% for K. With reduced fertilizer application, the P2, P3, and F2 treatments increased soil bacterial community diversity, richness, and evenness; in contrast, the P0 and P1 treatments decreased these variables. In conclusion, γ-PGA can enhance the apparent fertilizer utilization efficiencies and increase the relative abundances of potential plant-growth-promoting bacteria in soil in a concentration-dependent manner, thereby improving Chinese cabbage yield.