Diversity and composition of soil bacteria between abandoned and selective-farming farmlands in an antimony mining area

Background and aimsLand abandonment and selective farming are two common management methods to restore the soil conditions of low-pollution farmland in mining areas. The soil bacterial community plays an important role in farmland soil restoration; however, few studies have compared the composition and diversity of soil bacteria between the abandoned farmlands (AFS) and selective-farming farmlands (FFS). Here, the effects of AFS and FFS on soil properties and bacterial diversity were evaluated in an antimony (Sb) mining area in southern China. This study aimed to identify effective land management methods in terms of positive or negative changes in soil environment and bacterial diversity. Methods16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing was used to compare the diversity and composition of soil bacteria between AFS and FFS in the Xikuangshan (the largest Sb mine in the world). ResultsCompared to AFS, FFS had higher Sb concentration and nutritional properties (e.g., available N, P, and K) and lower Zn concentration (p