Different sexual impacts of dioecious Populus euphratica on microbial communities and nitrogen cycle processes in natural forests

Plant-soil microbe interactions are determined by plant characters. Sexual dimorphism in root development, nitrogen (N) assimilation and resource allocation have been studied different environments. However, how dioecious plants affect soil microbial communities natural forests, particularly low precipitation regions, is still poorly known. In this study, Populus euphratica forests were investigated three arid regions. We hypothesized that males females impose sex-specific impacts on physiochemical traits of soil, N-cycling processes. discovered only little sex effect most traits, bacterial fungal top (0–20 cm) the forests. was greater deep soil. Compared with fungi, structure composition affected more rhizosphere bulk Sex indirectly processes through a negative impact water content. Expressions AOA, AOB, nifH, nirS nirK significantly sex, forest site their interactions. Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria Firmicutes soils P. showed significant effects ammoxidation, N fixation, denitrification protease activities when compared to females. The results suggest sexual differences shaping affecting becomes drier. Thus, causes intense uptake use efficiency. Our study highlights importance specific