Beauveria bassiana enhances maize nitrogen use efficiency and soil nitrogen cycling under elevated CO2

Beauveria bassiana enhances maize nitrogen use efficiency and soil nitrogen cycling under elevated CO2 | Authorea try { document.documentElement.classList.add('js'); } catch (e) { } var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'G-8VDV14Y67G']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })(); Skip to main content Preprints Collections Wiley Open Research IET Open Research Ecological Society of Japan All Collections About About Authorea FAQs Contact Us Quick Search anywhere Search for preprint articles, keywords, etc. Search Search ADVANCED SEARCH SCROLL This is a preprint and has not been peer reviewed. Data may be preliminary. 12 January 2026 V1 Latest version Share on Beauveria bassiana enhances maize nitrogen use efficiency and soil nitrogen cycling under elevated CO2 Authors : Weijin Dong , Shanlong Li , Yinghua Shi , Yafeng Zhang , Yueqian Huang , Yang Lu , Qiyun Li , Zheng-kun Zhang 0000-0001-8822-2107 , and Li Sui 0000-0001-9379-1080 [email protected] Authors Info & Affiliations https://doi.org/10.22541/au.176825174.47897406/v1 125 views 44 downloads Contents Abstract Supplementary Material Information & Authors Metrics & Citations View Options References Figures Tables Media Share Abstract Rising atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations significantly alter crop nitrogen utilization, posing a challenge to agricultural sustainability. While the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana is known to colonize plants endophytically and promote growth, its capacity to regulate nitrogen dynamics under climate change scenarios remains unclear. This study investigated the interactive effects of B. bassiana colonization and elevated carbon dioxide on maize nitrogen metabolism. Using open-top chambers to simulate ambient and elevated (600 ppm) carbon dioxide environments combined with 15 N isotope tracing, we analyzed nitrogen migration, transformation, and soil microbial responses. Results indicated that fungal colonization significantly enhanced nitrogen uptake and assimilation under both carbon dioxide levels, with amplified effects observed under elevated concentrations. The endophyte optimized nitrogen allocation within the plant, increasing grain nitrogen content and boosting the activity of key metabolic enzymes such as nitrate reductase and glutamine synthase. Concurrently, inoculation reshaped the rhizosphere microbial community and improved soil physicochemical properties, thereby increasing nitrogen retention and reducing losses. Notably, B. bassiana mitigated the nitrogen dilution effect typically induced by elevated carbon dioxide, resulting in superior biomass accumulation and nitrogen use efficiency. These findings reveal that utilizing beneficial endophytic fungi can synergistically optimize plant nitrogen physiology and soil nutrient cycling in high-carbon environments, offering a promising strategy to maintain crop yields and reduce fertilizer inputs in future climate regimes. Supplementary Material File (manuscript.docx) Download 74.92 KB File (tab.1.docx) Download 23.11 KB File (tab.2.docx) Download 24.09 KB Information & Authors Information Version history V1 Version 1 12 January 2026 Copyright This work is licensed under a Non Exclusive No Reuse License. Keywords climate change endophytic colonization entomopathogenic fungi growth nitrogen utilization photosynthesis: electron transport Authors Affiliations Weijin Dong Jilin Academy of Agricultural Sciences View all articles by this author Shanlong Li Jilin Academy of Agricultural Sciences View all articles by this author Yinghua Shi Jilin Academy of Agricultural Sciences View all articles by this author Yafeng Zhang Jilin Academy of Agricultural Sciences View all articles by this author Yueqian Huang Jilin Academy of Agricultural Sciences View all articles by this author Yang Lu Jilin Academy of Agricultural Sciences View all articles by this author Qiyun Li Jilin Academy of Agricultural Sciences View all articles by this author Zheng-kun Zhang 0000-0001-8822-2107 Jilin Academy of Agricultural Sciences View all articles by this author Li Sui 0000-0001-9379-1080 [email protected] Jilin Academy of Agricultural Sciences View all articles by this author Metrics & Citations Metrics Article Usage 125 views 44 downloads .FvxKWukQNSOunydq8rnd { width: 100px; } Citations Download citation Weijin Dong, Shanlong Li, Yinghua Shi, et al. Beauveria bassiana enhances maize nitrogen use efficiency and soil nitrogen cycling under elevated CO2. Authorea . 12 January 2026. DOI: https://doi.org/10.22541/au.176825174.47897406/v1 If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download. For more information or tips please see 'Downloading to a citation manager' in the Help menu . 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