Roots secrete many photosynthates into the rhizosphere. Root exudates are important mediators for host plants to regulate functional microbiome interactions, but the mechanisms by which hosts regulate the composition of functional microbiota and maintain the stability of the rhizosphere microenvironment through root exudates are still unclear.
In a study published in TheISME Journal, researchers from Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden (XTBG) investigated the interactions between root-zone microorganisms and plant root exudates and proposed the use of probiotic as a new research model. They explored how root exudates affected the composition and function of root-zone microorganisms, and how these microorganisms in turn influenced plant health and growth.
The researchers selected specific strains, cultivated plants under controlled conditions, and collected root exudates. They observed the growth and metabolic changes after co-culturing the probiotic strains with root exudates and used molecular biology and biochemical techniques to analyze the functional characteristics of the probiotics and their responses to root exudates. Afterwards, they evaluated the impact of root exudates on probiotic functions by comparing data from experimental and control groups.
They found that the root exudates significantly affected the growth and function of rhizosphere microorganisms, especially for strains in the probiotic model. Probiotics played an important role in maintaining the micro-ecological balance of the rhizosphere, providing a scientific basis for the development of new agricultural biotechnology strategies in the future.
They proposed the aerial root mucilage probiotics system as a novel model for identifying the crucial interactions between functional metabolites and the probiotic microbiome and for determining how probiotics, including diazotrophic and functional microbiomes, are selected for use in the system.
“Multi-omics approaches (genomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics, and microbiomics) combined with molecular biology experiments can be used to analyze and verify the interactions between host mucus metabolites and the microbiome,” said PANG Zhiqiang.
They regarded that the aerial root mucilage–functional microbiome study system will provide basic biological insights into biological interactions. Plant health and productivity will possibly be improved by managing and optimizing the rhizosphere microbial community.
The study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation.
Proposed model of root exudate–functional microbiome interactions and research approach. (Image by PANG Zhiqiang)
Published: 04 November 2024
