Response of plant-bacteria-soil system to phosphorus addition under simulated nitrogen deposition: evidence from a dryland ecosystem

Aims Increased atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition can alter plant growth and soil properties, thereby exerting many potential effects on soil microbial diversity and functionality. However, how phosphorus (P) addition regulates the responses of the plant-soil-microbe system to N deposition in dryland ecosystems remains unclear. Methods Two-year nutrient addition experiments, i.e., P addition rates ranging from 0 to 16 g P m −2 yr −1 combined with 5 g N m −2 yr −1 , were performed to determine the effects on plant traits, soil properties, and bacterial communities in an alkaline desert steppe of Northwest China. Results Under 5 g N·m −2 ·yr −1 , the low-dose of P addition rates (