Table 3 Number of operational taxonomic units (OTUs), sequences, and coverages of the genes used to identify nitrifier and denitrifier communities under salt and alkali stresses in a calcareous desert soil

CK

31 a

324 a

377 a

285 b

178 c

37,110 a

42,345 b

51,095 b

29,293 a

33,242 b

0.9998

0.9954

0.9980

0.9979

0.9993

CS

34 a

312 a

270 b

310 b

232 b

40,672 a

35,221 c

56,195 a

28,503 a

40,047 a

0.9998

0.9948

0.9983

0.9975

0.9986

SS

36 a

271 b

284 b

353 a

314 a

39,192 a

48,961 a

52,321 b

29,144 a

39,112 a

0.9998

0.9953

0.9982

0.9973

0.9979

AS

33 a

165 c

336 a

348 a

295 a

40,583 a

40,662 b

50,138 b

28,254 a

39,385 a

0.9999

0.9978

0.9980

0.9973

0.9985