Long-term cold storage of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal (AMF) inocula can reduce spore infectivity and viability, yet the underlying biochemical causes remain poorly understood. We tested whether extended storage duration affects the metabolic profile of Entrophospora etunicata spores. Spores originating from an inoculum produced in 2000 (EE2000), using sand and vermiculite as substrate and millet as host, and stored under cold conditions for 25 years were compared with spores from an inoculum produced in 2023 under identical conditions and from the same starter culture (EE2023). Metabolite extraction from 200 spores was performed to spectrophotometrically quantify total triglycerides, proteins, flavonoids, soluble carbohydrates, phenolics, and antioxidant capacity. Means were compared using two-sample t-test (95% confidence). Protein concentration was 28% lower in EE2000 spores relative to EE2023 (p≤ 0.05), whereas triglycerides, flavonoids and antioxidant activity did not differ between storage periods. Total phenolics and soluble carbohydrates were below detection limits. The decline in protein content suggests storage-derived oxidative effect that may contribute to the reduced colonization potential and viability previously reported for long-stored AMF inocula. We conclude that more than two decades of cold storage negatively affect the protein metabolism in E. etunicata spores. This study provides the first evidence of negative effect of prolonged storage on protein content in AMF spores.
{"title":"25 years of cold storage decreases protein concentration but preserves other metabolite pools in spores of an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus","authors":"Eduarda Lins Falcão , Mohamed Hijri , Fábio Sérgio Barbosa da Silva","doi":"10.1016/j.rhisph.2026.101272","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rhisph.2026.101272","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Long-term cold storage of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal (AMF) inocula can reduce spore infectivity and viability, yet the underlying biochemical causes remain poorly understood. We tested whether extended storage duration affects the metabolic profile of <em>Entrophospora etunicata</em> spores. Spores originating from an inoculum produced in 2000 (EE2000), using sand and vermiculite as substrate and millet as host, and stored under cold conditions for 25 years were compared with spores from an inoculum produced in 2023 under identical conditions and from the same starter culture (EE2023). Metabolite extraction from 200 spores was performed to spectrophotometrically quantify total triglycerides, proteins, flavonoids, soluble carbohydrates, phenolics, and antioxidant capacity. Means were compared using two-sample <em>t</em>-test (95% confidence). Protein concentration was 28% lower in EE2000 spores relative to EE2023 (<em>p</em>≤ 0.05), whereas triglycerides, flavonoids and antioxidant activity did not differ between storage periods. Total phenolics and soluble carbohydrates were below detection limits. The decline in protein content suggests storage-derived oxidative effect that may contribute to the reduced colonization potential and viability previously reported for long-stored AMF inocula. We conclude that more than two decades of cold storage negatively affect the protein metabolism in <em>E. etunicata</em> spores. This study provides the first evidence of negative effect of prolonged storage on protein content in AMF spores.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48589,"journal":{"name":"Rhizosphere","volume":"37 ","pages":"Article 101272"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146037895","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-10DOI: 10.1016/j.rhisph.2026.101273
Michel Analia , Adur Javier , Caviglia Octavio Pedro , Sadras Victor Oscar , Ré Delfina Adela
Legume plants associate symbiotically with Rhizobium and Bradyirhizobium bacteria that fix atmospheric nitrogen. Despite the well-documented effects of water regime on nodule establishment and functionality, little is known about its influence on nodule morphology after establishment. We grew Lathyrus oleraceus L. plants in a factorial experiment combining two growing conditions (winter and spring) and three levels of plant available water (PAW) in soil: 60 %, 85 %, and 100 %. Plant growth traits were measured. Nodules were analyzed with optical and confocal microscopy, using fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy for lignin autofluorescence analysis. High water availability increased shoot biomass, as well as number and size of nodules compared to low water availability, with stronger effects in spring than in winter. The typical indeterminate nodules of field pea exhibited phenotypic plasticity whereby plants in dry soil had smaller and rounder nodules compared to plants grown at 100 % PAW. Lignin content of nodule cortex cells also varied with water and growing condition, being higher for 100 % PAW in winter and 60 % PAW in spring. Lignin content and morphological plasticity of field pea nodules may have implications for adaptation to water and photothermal variations.
{"title":"Phenotypic plasticity of field pea (Lathyrus oleraceus L.) nodule morphology and cell-wall lignin in response to water and photothermal regimes","authors":"Michel Analia , Adur Javier , Caviglia Octavio Pedro , Sadras Victor Oscar , Ré Delfina Adela","doi":"10.1016/j.rhisph.2026.101273","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rhisph.2026.101273","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Legume plants associate symbiotically with <em>Rhizobium</em> and <em>Bradyirhizobium</em> bacteria that fix atmospheric nitrogen. Despite the well-documented effects of water regime on nodule establishment and functionality, little is known about its influence on nodule morphology after establishment. We grew <em>Lathyrus oleraceus</em> L. plants in a factorial experiment combining two growing conditions (winter and spring) and three levels of plant available water (PAW) in soil: 60 %, 85 %, and 100 %. Plant growth traits were measured. Nodules were analyzed with optical and confocal microscopy, using fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy for lignin autofluorescence analysis. High water availability increased shoot biomass, as well as number and size of nodules compared to low water availability, with stronger effects in spring than in winter. The typical indeterminate nodules of field pea exhibited phenotypic plasticity whereby plants in dry soil had smaller and rounder nodules compared to plants grown at 100 % PAW. Lignin content of nodule cortex cells also varied with water and growing condition, being higher for 100 % PAW in winter and 60 % PAW in spring. Lignin content and morphological plasticity of field pea nodules may have implications for adaptation to water and photothermal variations.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48589,"journal":{"name":"Rhizosphere","volume":"37 ","pages":"Article 101273"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145977511","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Climate change is reshaping the structure and function of rhizosphere microbiomes, with profound implications for plant health, nutrient acquisition, and stress tolerance. Emerging evidence reveals that root-microbiome interactions are governed by intricate signaling networks involving root exudates, microbial metabolites, hormonal crosstalk, and redox-mediated pathways. These signals dynamically modulate microbial recruitment, functional assembly, and stress-induced shifts in community stability. This review synthesizes cutting-edge mechanistic insights into how climate stressors including drought, heat, salinity, and elevated CO2 alter biochemical communication between roots and microbes. We highlight advances in multi-omics, isotope tracing, spatial metabolomics, and high-resolution imaging that are transforming our understanding of rhizosphere signaling landscapes. Finally, we evaluate emerging strategies for rhizosphere engineering, including microbiome-informed breeding, targeted exudate modulation, synthetic communities, and real-time microbiome monitoring tools. By integrating mechanistic and applied perspectives, this review outlines a roadmap for leveraging root-microbiome signaling networks to build climate-resilient, low-input agricultural systems.
{"title":"Root-microbiome signaling networks under climate stress: Mechanistic insights and rhizosphere engineering opportunities","authors":"Sipra Mohapatra , Vishal Johar , Hina Upadhyay , Anand Kumar , Premdeep , Prayasi Nayak , Mouli Paul , Swagatika Babu , Rahul Pradhan , Pragnyashree Mishra , Himanshu Saini","doi":"10.1016/j.rhisph.2026.101271","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rhisph.2026.101271","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Climate change is reshaping the structure and function of rhizosphere microbiomes, with profound implications for plant health, nutrient acquisition, and stress tolerance. Emerging evidence reveals that root-microbiome interactions are governed by intricate signaling networks involving root exudates, microbial metabolites, hormonal crosstalk, and redox-mediated pathways. These signals dynamically modulate microbial recruitment, functional assembly, and stress-induced shifts in community stability. This review synthesizes cutting-edge mechanistic insights into how climate stressors including drought, heat, salinity, and elevated CO<sub>2</sub> alter biochemical communication between roots and microbes. We highlight advances in multi-omics, isotope tracing, spatial metabolomics, and high-resolution imaging that are transforming our understanding of rhizosphere signaling landscapes. Finally, we evaluate emerging strategies for rhizosphere engineering, including microbiome-informed breeding, targeted exudate modulation, synthetic communities, and real-time microbiome monitoring tools. By integrating mechanistic and applied perspectives, this review outlines a roadmap for leveraging root-microbiome signaling networks to build climate-resilient, low-input agricultural systems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48589,"journal":{"name":"Rhizosphere","volume":"37 ","pages":"Article 101271"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145977509","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-09DOI: 10.1016/j.rhisph.2026.101270
Shumaila Parveen , Zaryab Shafi , Waquar Akhter Ansari , Talat Ilyas , Mohammad Shahid , Sajad Ali
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are major constraints in soil pollution owing to their long-term persistence, limited bioavailability and toxicity. This review explores microbe - meditated rhizosphere engineering to enhance PAH phytoremediation, emphasizing rhizobacterial degradation and molecular engineering. Microbial based remediation and rhizosphere engineering are one of the prime and sustainable approaches for effective PAH remediation however, it may require integrated rather than standalone approaches. Plant growth–promoting rhizobacteria can facilitate PAH transformation through oxygenase-driven catabolic pathways, biofilm formation, and root stress modulation via ACC deaminase and phytohormone signaling. Advances in genetic engineering, CRISPR-based editing, and synthetic microbial consortia enable precise enhancement of catabolic functions and stability in complex soils. Omics-enabled analyses reveal microbial interactions, metabolic fluxes, and regulatory networks driving rhizosphere PAH turnover, guiding rational system design. Integrative strategies incorporating biochar, nanomaterials, and engineered consortia enhance contaminant bioavailability and degradation efficiency. Collectively, these advances establish rhizosphere engineering as a scalable framework for PAH phytoremediation under field conditions.
{"title":"Rhizosphere reprogramming for PAH detoxification: Microbial phytoremediation and engineering strategies","authors":"Shumaila Parveen , Zaryab Shafi , Waquar Akhter Ansari , Talat Ilyas , Mohammad Shahid , Sajad Ali","doi":"10.1016/j.rhisph.2026.101270","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rhisph.2026.101270","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are major constraints in soil pollution owing to their long-term persistence, limited bioavailability and toxicity. This review explores microbe - meditated rhizosphere engineering to enhance PAH phytoremediation, emphasizing rhizobacterial degradation and molecular engineering. Microbial based remediation and rhizosphere engineering are one of the prime and sustainable approaches for effective PAH remediation however, it may require integrated rather than standalone approaches. Plant growth–promoting rhizobacteria can facilitate PAH transformation through oxygenase-driven catabolic pathways, biofilm formation, and root stress modulation via ACC deaminase and phytohormone signaling. Advances in genetic engineering, CRISPR-based editing, and synthetic microbial consortia enable precise enhancement of catabolic functions and stability in complex soils. Omics-enabled analyses reveal microbial interactions, metabolic fluxes, and regulatory networks driving rhizosphere PAH turnover, guiding rational system design. Integrative strategies incorporating biochar, nanomaterials, and engineered consortia enhance contaminant bioavailability and degradation efficiency. Collectively, these advances establish rhizosphere engineering as a scalable framework for PAH phytoremediation under field conditions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48589,"journal":{"name":"Rhizosphere","volume":"37 ","pages":"Article 101270"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146037965","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-09DOI: 10.1016/j.rhisph.2026.101269
Xin-Ping Tan , Cheng-Zhuo Li , Ying-Ning Zou , An-Qi Lei , Mashael Daghash Alqahtani , Qiang-Sheng Wu
Given the importance of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi in enhancing citrus resilience in low-fertility soils, understanding how AM fungal inoculation reshapes these symbiotic communities is critical for sustainable orchard management. This study investigated how targeted inoculation with Diversispora spurca and D. versiformis altered the native AM fungal populations in the roots and rhizospheres of ‘Lane Late’ and ‘Newhall’ navel orange trees, as well as the impact on fruit quality. Three years after inoculation, the effectiveness of the introduced AM fungi in boosting root AM colonization and improving fruit internal and external quality was cultivar-dependent, with D. versiformis favoring ‘Newhall’ and D. spurca excelling in ‘Lane Late’ through strain-specific modulation of sucrose metabolism pathways. Correlation study demonstrated that AM fungi enhanced fruit sugar metabolism and quality by up-regulating the expression of key sucrose-related genes, suggesting a link between the symbiotic colonization rate and improved fruit quality. A high-throughput sequencing investigation revealed that the ‘Newhall’ variety had more sequences and OTUs than the ‘Lane Late’ variety. Following AM fungal inoculation, the composition of the AM fungal community varied significantly between ‘Newhall’ and ‘Lane Late’, with cultivar-specific recruitment of dominant genera (Paraglomus, Glomus, and Gigaspora in ‘Newhall’ roots versus Gigaspora in ‘Lane Late’ soil) shaping distinct symbiotic profiles. AM fungal inoculation had contrasting effects on alpha diversity in roots and rhizosphere soil, with suppression in roots and enhancement in the soil, especially when D. versiformis was inoculated in ‘Newhall’. The AM fungal community composition was highly heterogenous. The differential associations of AM fungal genera with fruit quality—Glomus enhancing sugar levels while reducing acidity, versus Paraglomus and Claroideoglomus promoting acid retention—highlight host cultivar-specific trade-offs in fruit metabolism. These findings underscore the importance of AM fungal diversity as a driving factor in improving the quality of navel orange fruits.
{"title":"Cultivar-dependent effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungal inoculation on fruit quality and native AM fungal community in navel orange","authors":"Xin-Ping Tan , Cheng-Zhuo Li , Ying-Ning Zou , An-Qi Lei , Mashael Daghash Alqahtani , Qiang-Sheng Wu","doi":"10.1016/j.rhisph.2026.101269","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rhisph.2026.101269","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Given the importance of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi in enhancing citrus resilience in low-fertility soils, understanding how AM fungal inoculation reshapes these symbiotic communities is critical for sustainable orchard management. This study investigated how targeted inoculation with <em>Diversispora spurca</em> and <em>D</em>. <em>versiformis</em> altered the native AM fungal populations in the roots and rhizospheres of ‘Lane Late’ and ‘Newhall’ navel orange trees, as well as the impact on fruit quality. Three years after inoculation, the effectiveness of the introduced AM fungi in boosting root AM colonization and improving fruit internal and external quality was cultivar-dependent, with <em>D</em>. <em>versiformis</em> favoring ‘Newhall’ and <em>D</em>. <em>spurca</em> excelling in ‘Lane Late’ through strain-specific modulation of sucrose metabolism pathways. Correlation study demonstrated that AM fungi enhanced fruit sugar metabolism and quality by up-regulating the expression of key sucrose-related genes, suggesting a link between the symbiotic colonization rate and improved fruit quality. A high-throughput sequencing investigation revealed that the ‘Newhall’ variety had more sequences and OTUs than the ‘Lane Late’ variety. Following AM fungal inoculation, the composition of the AM fungal community varied significantly between ‘Newhall’ and ‘Lane Late’, with cultivar-specific recruitment of dominant genera (<em>Paraglomus</em>, <em>Glomus</em>, and <em>Gigaspora</em> in ‘Newhall’ roots versus <em>Gigaspora</em> in ‘Lane Late’ soil) shaping distinct symbiotic profiles. AM fungal inoculation had contrasting effects on alpha diversity in roots and rhizosphere soil, with suppression in roots and enhancement in the soil, especially when <em>D</em>. <em>versiformis</em> was inoculated in ‘Newhall’. The AM fungal community composition was highly heterogenous. The differential associations of AM fungal genera with fruit quality—<em>Glomus</em> enhancing sugar levels while reducing acidity, versus <em>Paraglomus</em> and <em>Claroideoglomus</em> promoting acid retention—highlight host cultivar-specific trade-offs in fruit metabolism. These findings underscore the importance of AM fungal diversity as a driving factor in improving the quality of navel orange fruits.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48589,"journal":{"name":"Rhizosphere","volume":"37 ","pages":"Article 101269"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145977515","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-08DOI: 10.1016/j.rhisph.2026.101263
Haining Yu , Yinli Bi , Kaiwei Xu , Suping Peng , Yang Zhou , Yinchu Qiao
Underground mining in arid and semi-arid regions of western China has resulted in the widespread formation of ground fissures, leading to soil structure degradation and water loss, which severely constrain vegetation restoration. Although extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) have shown great potential in soil improvement, the effectiveness under strongly disturbed fissure conditions and the synergistic effects with plants remain poorly understood. This study investigated the individual and synergistic effects of EPS and plants on soil structure and water retention capacity in areas affected by ground fissures, aiming to provide a theoretical foundation for ecological restoration in mining-impacted areas. A soil column simulation experiment was conducted under four treatments: untreated control (CK), EPS sprayed on the surface of fissure areas (EPS), plants grown near fissures (PL), and combined EPS application and plant treatment (PE). The stability of plant growth parameters, soil water content, soil aggregates, and pore structure were systematically analyzed. The results showed that EPS significantly promoted both aboveground and belowground biomass accumulation and root development. Compared with the PL treatment, the PE treatment increased root length, number of root tips, root projection area, root volume, and root surface area by 28.3 %, 114.3 %, 16.5 %, 126.9 %, and 22.9 %, respectively. The synergistic effects between EPS and roots significantly enhanced the shear strength and cohesion of the root-soil composite, increasing the shear strength by 18.0 % at 400 kPa confining pressure compared to the CK treatment. Both EPS and plants reduced soil water loss in fissure areas, with the PE treatment showing the highest water retention capacity. Furthermore, EPS and plants jointly improved soil structure by increasing the proportion of large macroaggregates (LMA) and enhancing pore connectivity. Relative to CK, the proportion of LMA increased by 26.5 %, 18.1 %, and 37.2 % under EPS, PL, and PE treatments, respectively. These findings demonstrate that EPS, by promoting plant growth and forming stable root-soil composite, substantially enhances soil water retention capacity and mechanical stability, providing a scientific basis for ecological restoration in fissure areas.
{"title":"The extracellular polymeric substances and plants drive soil structural reinforcement and water retention in ground fissures","authors":"Haining Yu , Yinli Bi , Kaiwei Xu , Suping Peng , Yang Zhou , Yinchu Qiao","doi":"10.1016/j.rhisph.2026.101263","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rhisph.2026.101263","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Underground mining in arid and semi-arid regions of western China has resulted in the widespread formation of ground fissures, leading to soil structure degradation and water loss, which severely constrain vegetation restoration. Although extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) have shown great potential in soil improvement, the effectiveness under strongly disturbed fissure conditions and the synergistic effects with plants remain poorly understood. This study investigated the individual and synergistic effects of EPS and plants on soil structure and water retention capacity in areas affected by ground fissures, aiming to provide a theoretical foundation for ecological restoration in mining-impacted areas. A soil column simulation experiment was conducted under four treatments: untreated control (CK), EPS sprayed on the surface of fissure areas (EPS), plants grown near fissures (PL), and combined EPS application and plant treatment (PE). The stability of plant growth parameters, soil water content, soil aggregates, and pore structure were systematically analyzed. The results showed that EPS significantly promoted both aboveground and belowground biomass accumulation and root development. Compared with the PL treatment, the PE treatment increased root length, number of root tips, root projection area, root volume, and root surface area by 28.3 %, 114.3 %, 16.5 %, 126.9 %, and 22.9 %, respectively. The synergistic effects between EPS and roots significantly enhanced the shear strength and cohesion of the root-soil composite, increasing the shear strength by 18.0 % at 400 kPa confining pressure compared to the CK treatment. Both EPS and plants reduced soil water loss in fissure areas, with the PE treatment showing the highest water retention capacity. Furthermore, EPS and plants jointly improved soil structure by increasing the proportion of large macroaggregates (LMA) and enhancing pore connectivity. Relative to CK, the proportion of LMA increased by 26.5 %, 18.1 %, and 37.2 % under EPS, PL, and PE treatments, respectively. These findings demonstrate that EPS, by promoting plant growth and forming stable root-soil composite, substantially enhances soil water retention capacity and mechanical stability, providing a scientific basis for ecological restoration in fissure areas.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48589,"journal":{"name":"Rhizosphere","volume":"37 ","pages":"Article 101263"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145977514","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-07DOI: 10.1016/j.rhisph.2026.101258
Lin Zhang, Tianheng Zhao, Shi Qi
Soil infiltration consists of preferential flow and matrix flow, both of which play a critical role in regulating soil water redistribution and the hydrological cycle. However, how different vegetation restoration types influence the partitioning between preferential flow and matrix infiltration remains poorly understood. Three typical vegetation restoration types of Moso bamboo pure forest, Moso bamboo-Chinese fir mixed forest and Chinese fir pure forest in the subtropical regions of southern China were selected, and the soil preferential flow and matrix flow were measured by using the improved surface-mounted double-ring infiltrometer. The effects of the driving factors on the preferential flow and matrix infiltration were quantified.
Results
1) The preferential flow were 2.31–4.36 times greater than the matrix infiltration, accounting for 79.5 %–81.3 % of the total infiltration (TIA) in Moso bamboo pure forest, 74.9 %–77.0 % of the TIA in Moso bamboo–Chinese fir mixed forest, and 69.8 %–72.5 % of the TIA in Chinese fir pure forest; 2) The total infiltration (560.54–739.47 mm) and preferential flow (425.68–595.81 mm) followed the order: Moso bamboo pure forest > Moso bamboo–Chinese fir mixed forest > Chinese fir pure forest. The cumulative matrix infiltration (136.62–184.20 mm) followed the order: Chinese fir pure forest > Moso bamboo–Chinese fir mixed forest > Moso bamboo pure forest. Fine root biomass (<2 mm), NCP, and BD were the dominant factors influencing the preferential flow, jointly accounting for 55.3 % of the contribution. Fine root biomass (<2 mm), clay, and BD showed close correlations with matrix infiltration, collectively explaining 60.6 % of the contribution. The findings provide mechanistic insights into soil hydrological functioning under different restoration strategies and offer practical implications for optimizing vegetation management and improving water conservation in subtropical ecosystems.
{"title":"Vegetation restoration governs the changes in soil preferential flow and matrix infiltration","authors":"Lin Zhang, Tianheng Zhao, Shi Qi","doi":"10.1016/j.rhisph.2026.101258","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rhisph.2026.101258","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Soil infiltration consists of preferential flow and matrix flow, both of which play a critical role in regulating soil water redistribution and the hydrological cycle. However, how different vegetation restoration types influence the partitioning between preferential flow and matrix infiltration remains poorly understood. Three typical vegetation restoration types of Moso bamboo pure forest, Moso bamboo-Chinese fir mixed forest and Chinese fir pure forest in the subtropical regions of southern China were selected, and the soil preferential flow and matrix flow were measured by using the improved surface-mounted double-ring infiltrometer. The effects of the driving factors on the preferential flow and matrix infiltration were quantified.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>1) The preferential flow were 2.31–4.36 times greater than the matrix infiltration, accounting for 79.5 %–81.3 % of the total infiltration (TIA) in Moso bamboo pure forest, 74.9 %–77.0 % of the TIA in Moso bamboo–Chinese fir mixed forest, and 69.8 %–72.5 % of the TIA in Chinese fir pure forest; 2) The total infiltration (560.54–739.47 mm) and preferential flow (425.68–595.81 mm) followed the order: Moso bamboo pure forest > Moso bamboo–Chinese fir mixed forest > Chinese fir pure forest. The cumulative matrix infiltration (136.62–184.20 mm) followed the order: Chinese fir pure forest > Moso bamboo–Chinese fir mixed forest > Moso bamboo pure forest. Fine root biomass (<2 mm), NCP, and BD were the dominant factors influencing the preferential flow, jointly accounting for 55.3 % of the contribution. Fine root biomass (<2 mm), clay, and BD showed close correlations with matrix infiltration, collectively explaining 60.6 % of the contribution. The findings provide mechanistic insights into soil hydrological functioning under different restoration strategies and offer practical implications for optimizing vegetation management and improving water conservation in subtropical ecosystems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48589,"journal":{"name":"Rhizosphere","volume":"37 ","pages":"Article 101258"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145939444","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-07DOI: 10.1016/j.rhisph.2026.101264
Jeroen Baatsen, João L. Azevedo, Maria C. Quecine
Grass plants influence the composition of their rhizobiome through the secretion of metabolites, such as benzoxazinoids (BXs), which shape microbial communities. Paramount to plant health, the root associated microbiome may confer plant growth-promoting effects and tolerance to pathogens and herbivorous insects. Specifically, the BX derivative 6-methoxy-2-benzoxazolinone (MBOA), exhibits prolonged effects on soil microbiota and plant defense mechanisms by sustained biosynthesis and its relatively stable molecular structure. Leveraging Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) offers a sustainable strategy to enhance soil fertility and crop yield while reducing reliance on chemical inputs. However, the efficacy of microbial inoculants is contingent upon various factors, including cultivar and environmental conditions, necessitating tailored approaches for successful implementation. The ecological impact BXs as plant signaling molecules can have on microbial ecology is demonstrated by experiments on Fusarium strains. Conditioning soil with MBOA may offer a promising strategy to enhance the efficacy of microbial inoculation, thus improving environmental conditions and crop cultivation outcomes. In this review, we discuss how BXs can be used as a tool in sustainable agricultural practices. Therefore, the biochemistry of BXs; the mechanisms of PGPR involved in root colonization; and plant-soil feedback are discussed, offering insights into optimizing crop management for enhanced sustainability, yield and pest tolerance.
{"title":"Benzoxazinoids and plant growth-promoting bacteria: A pathway to sustainable agriculture","authors":"Jeroen Baatsen, João L. Azevedo, Maria C. Quecine","doi":"10.1016/j.rhisph.2026.101264","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rhisph.2026.101264","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Grass plants influence the composition of their rhizobiome through the secretion of metabolites, such as benzoxazinoids (BXs), which shape microbial communities. Paramount to plant health, the root associated microbiome may confer plant growth-promoting effects and tolerance to pathogens and herbivorous insects. Specifically, the BX derivative 6-methoxy-2-benzoxazolinone (MBOA), exhibits prolonged effects on soil microbiota and plant defense mechanisms by sustained biosynthesis and its relatively stable molecular structure. Leveraging Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) offers a sustainable strategy to enhance soil fertility and crop yield while reducing reliance on chemical inputs. However, the efficacy of microbial inoculants is contingent upon various factors, including cultivar and environmental conditions, necessitating tailored approaches for successful implementation. The ecological impact BXs as plant signaling molecules can have on microbial ecology is demonstrated by experiments on <em>Fusarium</em> strains. Conditioning soil with MBOA may offer a promising strategy to enhance the efficacy of microbial inoculation, thus improving environmental conditions and crop cultivation outcomes. In this review, we discuss how BXs can be used as a tool in sustainable agricultural practices. Therefore, the biochemistry of BXs; the mechanisms of PGPR involved in root colonization; and plant-soil feedback are discussed, offering insights into optimizing crop management for enhanced sustainability, yield and pest tolerance.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48589,"journal":{"name":"Rhizosphere","volume":"37 ","pages":"Article 101264"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145977508","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Drought severely limits sesame production in arid regions. While arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can enhance drought tolerance, their efficacy is context-dependent, and a systematic ranking of AMF species for sesame, considering genotype-specific responses, is lacking. We assessed two cultivars (drought-sensitive 'Naz', drought-tolerant 'Yekta') inoculated with four AMF species (Claroideoglomus claroideum, Funneliformis mosseae, Rhizophagus irregularis, and Glomus fasciculatum) under water deficit. A definitive genotype-AMF synergy was found. 'Naz' with Cl. claroideum showed superior resilience, reducing yield loss by 24.4 % and increasing yield by 59.8 % via improved nutrient uptake. The overall efficacy hierarchy was Cl. claroideum > F. mosseae > R. irregularis ≈ G. fasciculatum. While Cl. claroideum specialized in nutrient acquisition, F. mosseae stimulated soil phosphatase activity. This study establishes the first ranked hierarchy of AMF efficacy for sesame under drought and reveals a profound cultivar-specific response, providing a framework for precision bio-inoculation in arid agroecosystems.
{"title":"Cultivar-dependent responsiveness to mycorrhizal inoculation in sesame and ranking symbionts for drought mitigation","authors":"Masoumeh Ghasemi , Banafshe Khalili , Morteza Zahedi , Hamed Aalipour","doi":"10.1016/j.rhisph.2026.101261","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rhisph.2026.101261","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Drought severely limits sesame production in arid regions. While arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can enhance drought tolerance, their efficacy is context-dependent, and a systematic ranking of AMF species for sesame, considering genotype-specific responses, is lacking. We assessed two cultivars (drought-sensitive 'Naz', drought-tolerant 'Yekta') inoculated with four AMF species (<em>Claroideoglomus claroideum</em>, <em>Funneliformis mosseae</em>, <em>Rhizophagus irregularis</em>, and <em>Glomus fasciculatum</em>) under water deficit. A definitive genotype-AMF synergy was found. 'Naz' with <em>Cl. claroideum</em> showed superior resilience, reducing yield loss by 24.4 % and increasing yield by 59.8 % via improved nutrient uptake. The overall efficacy hierarchy was <em>Cl. claroideum</em> > <em>F. mosseae</em> > <em>R. irregularis</em> ≈ <em>G. fasciculatum</em>. While <em>Cl. claroideum</em> specialized in nutrient acquisition, <em>F. mosseae</em> stimulated soil phosphatase activity. This study establishes the first ranked hierarchy of AMF efficacy for sesame under drought and reveals a profound cultivar-specific response, providing a framework for precision bio-inoculation in arid agroecosystems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48589,"journal":{"name":"Rhizosphere","volume":"37 ","pages":"Article 101261"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145939417","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-06DOI: 10.1016/j.rhisph.2026.101262
Xiuyun Zhao, Chenyang Du, Qiang Zeng, Yue Kang, Gaofu Qi
Root exudates—up to one-fifth of plant-fixed carbon—function as the rhizosphere's universal currency, simultaneously mobilising nutrients, signalling to microorganisms, and erecting chemical defense. Here, we synthesize recent studies to demonstrate how this metabolite cocktail (amino acids, organic acids, sugars, phenylpropanoids, terpenoids, alkaloids, and peptides) is dynamically reconfigured by genotype, developmental stage, soil type, nutrient status, drought, salinity, temperature, and pathogen attack. The plant-controlled shift in exudate composition feeds, chemoattracts or repels specific microbial taxa, creating a beneficial microbiome that solubilises minerals, fixes nitrogen, induces systemic resistance and outcompetes pathogens, thereby self-engineering a healthier, more resilient soil ecosystem. Conversely, pathogens exploit the same exudate gradients for chemotaxis and infection, forcing plants to mount a rapid, targeted secretion of antimicrobials and defence-associated compounds. We highlight critical gaps: (i) absence of field-realistic, microbe-sparing collection protocols; (ii) limited knowledge of biosynthetic and transport proteins dictating metabolite export; (iii) under-explored perception of exudates by fungi, viruses and nematodes. Bridging these gaps via portable sampling devices, multi-omics and genome editing will convert root exudates from descriptive metabolites into predictable, breedable traits, enabling low-input crops that engineer their own microbiome to enhance nutrient acquisition, stress tolerance and disease resistance.
{"title":"Root exudate-microbiota interaction: Novel strategies for sustainable crop disease control","authors":"Xiuyun Zhao, Chenyang Du, Qiang Zeng, Yue Kang, Gaofu Qi","doi":"10.1016/j.rhisph.2026.101262","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rhisph.2026.101262","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Root exudates—up to one-fifth of plant-fixed carbon—function as the rhizosphere's universal currency, simultaneously mobilising nutrients, signalling to microorganisms, and erecting chemical defense. Here, we synthesize recent studies to demonstrate how this metabolite cocktail (amino acids, organic acids, sugars, phenylpropanoids, terpenoids, alkaloids, and peptides) is dynamically reconfigured by genotype, developmental stage, soil type, nutrient status, drought, salinity, temperature, and pathogen attack. The plant-controlled shift in exudate composition feeds, chemoattracts or repels specific microbial taxa, creating a beneficial microbiome that solubilises minerals, fixes nitrogen, induces systemic resistance and outcompetes pathogens, thereby self-engineering a healthier, more resilient soil ecosystem. Conversely, pathogens exploit the same exudate gradients for chemotaxis and infection, forcing plants to mount a rapid, targeted secretion of antimicrobials and defence-associated compounds. We highlight critical gaps: (i) absence of field-realistic, microbe-sparing collection protocols; (ii) limited knowledge of biosynthetic and transport proteins dictating metabolite export; (iii) under-explored perception of exudates by fungi, viruses and nematodes. Bridging these gaps via portable sampling devices, multi-omics and genome editing will convert root exudates from descriptive metabolites into predictable, breedable traits, enabling low-input crops that engineer their own microbiome to enhance nutrient acquisition, stress tolerance and disease resistance.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48589,"journal":{"name":"Rhizosphere","volume":"37 ","pages":"Article 101262"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145939442","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
扫码关注我们
求助内容：
应助结果提醒方式：
京公网安备 11010802042870号