<b>Contrasting fertilization and phenological stages shape microbial-mediated phosphorus cycling in a maize agroecosystem</b>

<p dir="ltr">We investigated the effects of these treatments on the relative abundance of bacterial and <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/biochemistry-genetics-and-molecular-biology/archaeal-gene" target="_blank">archaeal genes</a> and proteins related to organic P <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/immunology-and-microbiology/mineralization" target="_blank">mineralization</a>, inorganic P <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/immunology-and-microbiology/solubilization" target="_blank">solubilization</a>, and the P starvation response regulation through a multi-omic approach. Moreover, we explored the impact of maize <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/biochemistry-genetics-and-molecular-biology/phenology" target="_blank">phenology</a> by collecting samples at germination and <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/anthesis" target="_blank">flowering</a> stages. Our findings suggest that the phenological stage has a notable impact on the abundance of P cycle genes within bacterial and archaeal communities, particularly regarding the <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/biochemistry-genetics-and-molecular-biology/solubilization" target="_blank">solubilization</a> of inorganic P. Furthermore, significant variations were observed in the relative abundance of genes associated with different P cycles in response to various fertilizer treatments. Sludge and struvite application improved P availability, which was related to an increase in the relative abundance of <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/immunology-and-microbiology/sphingomonas" target="_blank">Sphingomonas</a> (Proteobacteria) and <i>Luteitalea</i> (Acidobacteria) respectively, and genes related to inorganic P <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/solubilization" target="_blank">solubilization</a>. Furthermore, we observed a substantial taxonomic clustering of functional processes associated with the P cycle. Among the dominant <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/immunology-and-microbiology/bacterial-population" target="_blank">bacterial populations</a> containing P-related genes, those microbes possessing genes linked to the solubilization of inorganic P typically did not harbor genes associated with the <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/biochemistry-genetics-and-molecular-biology/mineralization" target="_blank">mineralization</a> of organic P. This phenomenon was particularly evident among members of <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/biochemistry-genetics-and-molecular-biology/actinobacteria" target="_blank">Actinobacteria</a>. Overall, we reveal important shifts in bacterial and archaeal communities and associated molecular processes, stressing the intricate interplay between fertilization, <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/phenology" target="_blank">phenology</a>, and P cycling in agroecosystems.</p>