Changes in metabolic characteristics of soil microbial communities during intercropping of oats and vetch
Vanya Popova, Ivelina Neykova
, Stefan Shilev
Abstract: The excessive use of chemicals and monoculture cultivation has led to damage to soil and plant health, which is also a consequence of the reduced diversity of the soil microbiome. Various approaches related to intercropping, reduced tillage practices and organic amendments are applied to restore biodiversity in agroecosystems. This study aims to illuminate the changes in soil microbiome metabolic potential during the intercropping of oats and vetch. Vetch and oats seeds were sown at 3:1 proportion in spring. Soil samples were taken four times: before sowing; from the rhizosphere during the tillering and ripening phases; and 2 months after incorporation of the plants at a depth of 20 cm into the soil by ploughing, as green manure. We found the highest microbial activity as soil basal and induced respiration, as well as the activity of soil dehydrogenase enzyme in the ripening stage. In contrast, the highest level of metabolization of carbon compounds of the Ecoplates was found in the tillering one, followed by ripening, green manure phase, and before sowing. The strongest uptake by microbial communities was observed for amino acids, polymers, carboxylic acids and carbohydrates. Differences in community-level physiological profiles (CLPP) of the rhizosphere microbiome were discovered using principal component analysis. P.C. 1 of 62.69% showed the highest correlation of L-arginine and α-cyclodextrin before sowing, β-methyl-D-glucoside, and D-glucosaminic acid during tillering, α-D-lactose, and L-asparagine during tillering and ripening, and of L-threonine, glycogen, and D-glucosaminic acid in case of green manure. PC2 contributed 18.47%, and was primarily associated with amino acids and carbohydrates. Вecause increased microbial metabolic capacity has a positive effect on soil processes, this study should be considered very useful in evaluating the development of soil communities during the stages of oats and vetch intercropping.
Keywords: CLPP; intercropping; microbial activity; oats; vetch
Citation: Popova, V., Neykova, I. & Shilev, S. (2026). Changes in metabolic characteristics of soil microbial communities during intercropping of oats and vetch. Bulg. J. Agric. Sci., 32(1), 173–180
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| Date published: 2026-02-25
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