Cover Cropping-Mediated Regulation of Phyllosphere Microbial Health and Rice Yield

High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide Although cover crops are integral to sustainable agriculture, their specific impacts on rice ( Oryza sativa ) disease management and yields remain poorly understood. This 2-year field study (2023–2024) evaluated the effects of winter cover crops [winter fallow, Italian ryegrass ( Lolium multiflorum, IR), and smooth vetch ( Vicia villosa, VV)] on summer rice phyllosphere microbial assembly and yield. Compared to fallow, transpiration rates under VV and IR increased by 31.6% and 25.3%, while net photosynthetic rates increased by 25.0% and 23.9%, respectively ( P < 0.05). Cover crops enriched potentially beneficial taxa (e.g., Pseudomonas and Microbacterium ) and reduced the relative abundance of Erwinia, which is a potential pathogen reservoir. Furthermore, VV and IR enhanced the abundance of functional fungal genera ( Epicoccum, Sporobolomyces, and Rhodotorula ). Compared to fallow, the VV and IR treatments increased the grain yield by 26.77% and 21.26%, respectively. Winter cover cropping with VV and IR is recommended for sustainable, high-yield rice production.