Effects of amendments of ferulic acid on soil microbial communities in the rhizosphere of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.)

► Amendments of ferulic acid had inhibitory effects on cucumber seedling growth. ► Amendments of ferulic acid had stimulatory effects on soil microbial communities. ► Bacteria and fungi communities responded differently to the ferulic acid amendment. ► Ferulic acid could induce autotoxicity through changing soil microbial communities.