The Compound Forest–Medicinal Plant System Enhances Soil Carbon Utilization

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Dear Authors,

Congratulations.   It is well studied work.   The subject of the manuscript entitled “The compound forest-medicinal plant system enhances soil carbon utilization” fits the profile of “Forests” journal.   The study delivers some interesting results and can be a source of valuable information.   However, I find some shortcomings which needs to be addressed/ corrected and/or revised.

Abstract

Kindly check minor spelling mistake.   The abstract needs a better composition of words.   Please rewrote the conclusive lines of abstract.

Introduction

Overall, the introduction is well written.   However, I think the authors must add some more review regarding studied species.

Material and methods

Methodology section is very well written and explaining each and every point of the experiment.

Results

Results needs to be modified.   Please simplify the results under section 3.2.2.

Discussion

Could be more detailed.   The lines should be more focused for highlighting the important finding of this work.

References

Strengthen the part of the discussion with 2 or 3 new references.

Conclusion

Minor language issues must be addressed to improve quality of the MS.

Minor editing of English language required

Author Response

1）Abstract: Kindly check minor spelling mistake. The abstract needs a better composition of words. Please rewrote the conclusive lines of abstract.

      Thank you for your advice! I have checked and modified the spelling of the abstract according to your suggestions and rewritten the conclusive lines of abstract. Please refer to the L22-29.

2）Introduction: Overall, the introduction is well written. However, I think the authors must add some more review regarding studied species.

     Thank you for your advice! I have added some more review regarding of studied species in the second preambular paragraph. Please refer to the L80-94.

3）Results: Results needs to be modified. Please simplify the results under section 3.2.2.

      Thank you for your advice! You have made very good suggestions. The results under 3.2.2 are more pictures, I have tried to simplify this part, mainly highlighting the content of supporting the key conclusions of the research. Did not delete the content I think is an essential part, perhaps there is not in place to delete the place please advise you! Please refer to the L80-94.

4) Discussion: Could be more detailed. The lines should be more focused for highlighting the important finding of this work.

     Thank you for your advice! I have supplemented the discussion section around the important findings of the article and highlighted the key findings in the discussion section. Please refer to the L312-314、L323-324.

5) References: Strengthen the part of the discussion with 2 or 3 new references.

    Thank you for your advice! New references have been added to the discussion section. Please refer to the L460-462.

6) Conclusion: Minor language issues must be addressed to improve quality of the MS.

     Thank you for your advice! I have re-examined the language problem of the conclusion and revised it. Please refer to the L528-552.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 2 Report

Agroforestry is the deliberate integration of trees and shrubs into cropping systems to achieve environmental, economic and social benefits. Agroforestry systems are being promoted in many regions of the world in response to the growing problems of soil erosion, loss of wildlife habitat, declining plant and animal biodiversity, and deteriorating water quality. It is also one of the ways to counteract the adverse effects of climate change. Therefore, in my opinion, the research and results presented in the manuscript are interesting and up-to-date. Manuscript is generally well written. Experiment is arranged properly, the experimental material is sufficient. The results are clearly presented. Tables and figures are adequate. In my opinion manuscript requires only minor changes:

 

Line [108] - Please specify what fertilization was used and in what doses

Line [127] – ‘….for the determination of soil nutrients’ - Please specify what analyzes were performed and by what methods

Line [197] – ‘…effects on SOM, TN, TP, TK, AN, AP, and AK to …’ -  when writing about it for the first time, please give the full name and abbreviation in brackets, then only abbreviations can be used.

Table 1 - Soil nutrient index? Or Soil nutrient content?. please explain under the table what does TP, TN, AP mean.

Table 4 – OM or SOM like in Table 1?

Author Response

1）L108: Please specify what fertilization was used and in what doses.

      Thank you for your advice! I have added detailed fertilization steps at the location of the article you mentioned. “YaraMila ( 15 - 15 - 15 ) compound fertilizer was used as base fertilizer, 50 grams per square meter, evenly buried 5 cm under the soil, as far as possible away from the root system.” Please refer to the L141-143.

2）L127: ‘….for the determination of soil nutrients’ - Please specify what analyzes were performed and by what methods.

      Thank you for your advice! Due to the negligence of the author, when changing the template format of your publication, less part of the material method is pasted. Now the 2.3 Measurement of the Soil Properties has been supplemented. Sorry for my negligence! Please refer to the L169-180.

3）L197: ‘…effects on SOM, TN, TP, TK, AN, AP, and AK to …’ - when writing about it for the first time, please give the full name and abbreviation in brackets, then only abbreviations can be used..

      Thank you for your advice! I have indicated in the supplementary paragraphs 2.3 Measurement of the Soil Properties in the way you mentioned. Please refer to the L169-180.

4）Table 1 - Soil nutrient index? Or Soil nutrient content? please explain under the table what does TP, TN, AP mean.

      Thank you for your advice! Due to the negligence of the author, when changing the template format of your publication, less part of the material method is pasted. Now the 2.3 Measurement of the Soil Properties has been supplemented. Sorry for my negligence! The meaning of TP, TN and AP in this supplement is obvious. Please refer to the L169-180 and Tab.1.

5）Table 4 – OM or SOM like in Table 1?

      Thank you for your advice! I have changed the abbreviation of soil organic matter to OM. Please refer to the Tab.1.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 3 Report

The authors describe an intriguing and innovative study that looks at the effects of planting Aspidistra elatior on a range of rhizospheric bacteria and their ability to use carbon sources. In overall, the manuscript is well written. The study's objectives are supported by the introduction. The reader will find the Materials and Methods, Tables, and Figures to be informative. In terms of the discussion of the results, some major findings are not compared to other comparative studies. Several changes are suggested in terms of:

Materials and Methods: Methods for soil parameters are not presented. Please include them with relative references.

Results:

-Title of table 1 is not informative.

-Figure 2. Please use the same scale for Y-axis

-Figure 3 Please use the same scale for Y-axis in each carbon source

-Figure 4. Please use the same scale for the Y axis in each index

Discussion:

Lines 443-451 and lines 462-469. Please compare and discuss your results with the findings of relative works.

Minor editing of English language required

Author Response

1) Title of table 1 is not informative

  Thank you for your advice! The title of Table 1 has been displayed.

2) Figure 2. Please use the same scale for Y-axis.

  Thank you for your advice! I have re-adjusted Figure 2.

3) Figure 3 Please use the same scale for Y-axis in each carbon source.

  Thank you for your advice! Your comments are very good. But after I try to modify it, the significant marker letters are not clearly displayed because the spacing between lines is too small. The white space in the figure will also increase due to modification. The clarity and aesthetics of the whole picture will be reduced after modification. Please modify it carefully.

4) Figure 4. Please use the same scale for the Y axis in each index

   Thank you for your advice! I have tried to modify according to your suggestion. A small number of figures suggest careful modification, because the white space in the figure will increase due to modification.

5) Discussion: Lines 443-451 and lines 462-469. Please compare and discuss your results with the findings of relative works.

   Thank you for your advice! I have supplemented according to your suggestions. Please refer to the L509-510 and L527-539.