Canning, Adam Douglas (2026) Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) mulch and urea interactions shape soil biota and nitrogen cycling. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment, 407. 110448.

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Abstract

Organic amendments influence soil biological activity and nutrient availability depending on their composition and decomposition rate, and invasive plants such as water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes), one of the world’s most widespread aquatic weeds, represent a potential source of nutrient-rich organic matter that can be repurposed as a soil amendment. This study tested the effects of water hyacinth mulch, a nutrient-rich and rapidly decomposable biomass, compared with woody mulch and an unmulched control across macadamia, lychee, and grazing systems in subtropical Queensland, Australia. Plots received mulch with or without ¹⁵N-labelled urea, and soil bacteria, fungi, and nematodes were characterised using metabarcoding to assess treatment effects on microbial communities and nitrogen dynamics over seven weeks. Water hyacinth mulch reduced bacterial diversity but increased bacterial-feeding nematodes and shifted fungal composition toward saprotrophic decomposers. Bulk soil δ ¹⁵N was lower under water hyacinth mulch in fertilised macadamia soils, suggesting faster nitrogen turnover at that site, though no isotopic effect was detected at the lychee or pasture sites. These microbial shifts are consistent with accelerated nutrient mineralisation driven by labile organic matter, though effects on nitrogen cycling were context-dependent and require validation through direct process measurements. Combining water hyacinth mulch with more recalcitrant organic inputs may help moderate mineralization rates and improve nutrient use efficiency. Extended field trials are needed to evaluate whether these short-term responses translate to sustained improvements in soil function and long-term fertility.

Item ID:	91340
Item Type:	Article (Research - C1)
ISSN:	1873-2305
Keywords:	Soil microbes, Invasive species management, Circular economy, Metabarcoding, Organic amendments, Nitrogen dynamics, Soil food webs
Copyright Information:	© 2026 The Author. Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).
Date Deposited:	04 May 2026 23:28
FoR Codes:	30 AGRICULTURAL, VETERINARY AND FOOD SCIENCES > 3002 Agriculture, land and farm management > 300204 Agricultural management of nutrients @ 50% 41 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES > 4106 Soil sciences > 410603 Soil biology @ 30% 41 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES > 4102 Ecological applications > 410203 Ecosystem function @ 20%
SEO Codes:	18 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT > 1806 Terrestrial systems and management > 180605 Soils @ 50% 18 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT > 1803 Fresh, ground and surface water systems and management > 180302 Control of pests, diseases and exotic species in fresh, ground and surface water @ 50%
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