Graphitic carbon nitride alleviates cadmium toxicity to microbial communities in soybean rhizosphere

Cadmium (Cd) contamination has led to various harmful impacts on soil microbial ecosystem, agricultural crops, and thus human health. Nanomaterials are promising candidates for reducing the accumulation of heavy metals in plants. In this study, graphitic carbon nitride (g-C 3 N 4 ), a two-dimensional polymeric nanomaterial, was applied for ameliorating Cd phytotoxicity to soybean ( Glycine max (L.) Merr.). Its impacts on rhizosphere variables, microorganisms, and metabolism were examined. It was found that g-C 3 N 4 increased carbon/nitrogen/phosphorus (C/N/P) content, especially when N contents were averagely 4.2 times higher in the g-C 3 N 4 -treated groups. g-C 3 N 4 significantly induced alterations in microbial community structures ( P