Planting density effect on poplar growth traits and soil nutrient availability, and response of microbial community, assembly and function

The interaction between soil characteristics and microbial communities is crucial for poplar growth under different planting densities. Yet, little is understood about their relationships and how they respond to primary environmental drivers across varying planting densities. In this study, we investigated poplar growth metrics, soil characteristics, and community assembly of soil bacterial and fungal communities in four poplar genotypes (M1316, BT17, S86, and B331) planted at low, medium, and high densities. Our findings reveal that planting density significantly influenced poplar growth, soil nutrients, and microbial communities (P