Dynamics of Soil Bacterial Microbiome in Silvopastoral Systems and Its Relationship with Pasture Quality
The composition and functionality of the rhizospheric bacterial microbiome in high Andean livestock systems were evaluated to determine its influence on the nutritional quality of pasture. Silvopastoral systems with trees (Alnus acuminata, cypress, and pine) were compared with treeless pastures, identifying bacterial families and genera associated with key carbon and nitrogen cycling processes.Multivariate analyses (PLS-DA and CCA) and co-occurrence networks showed that microbial structure is strongly modulated by the type of vegetation cover, outweighing seasonal variation. Systems with trees promoted more specialized and interconnected microbial communities, associated with greater nutrient availability and improved pasture composition. In contrast, treeless pastures exhibited more homogeneous and less differentiated microbiomes, although they maintained essential functions.These results confirm the influence of the production system on soil microbiome composition and functionality, providing concrete evidence of the value of silvopastoral systems in improving forage quality and soil health.