Abstract
With the growing importance of cassava worldwide, developing efficient and eco-friendly fertilizer strategies is crucial for sustainable cassava production. Diverse fertilizer treatments can significantly influence soil properties and plant growth. In this study, we investigated the effects of three fertilizer treatments-organic fertilizer (OF), chemical fertilizer combined with organic fertilizer (CFOF), and reduced chemical fertilizer combined with organic fertilizer (RFOF)-on the fungal community structure, chemical properties (SOM, AP, AN, and AK), and enzyme activities (NP, SC, CAT, and UE) in cassava rhizosphere. Our results demonstrated that these fertilizer treatments significantly enhanced cassava growth and yield compared to the control (CK) without fertilization. Soil chemical properties (SOM, AN, AP, and AK) and enzyme activities (NP, SC, CAT, and UE) were notably improved following fertilization. High-throughput sequencing revealed the significant alterations in the relative abundance of specific fungal taxa. Environmental parameters, particularly UE, SC, CAT, and AP, showed strong correlations with fungal community structure. These findings highlight the critical role of combined organic and chemical fertilizers in promoting cassava productivity and soil health. Understanding these interactions provides a foundation for optimizing fertilization practices to enhance crop yields and support sustainable agriculture.