Synergistic effects of plant genotype and soil microbiome on growth in Lotus japonicus

The biological interactions between plants and their root microbiomes are essential for plant growth, and even though plant genotype [G], soil microbiome [M], and growth conditions (environment) [E] are the core factors shaping root microbiome, their relationships remain unclear. In this study we investigated the effects of G, M, and E and their interactions on the Lotus root microbiome and plant growth using an in vitro cross-inoculation approach which reconstructed the interactions between nine Lotus accessions and four soil microbiomes under two different environmental conditions. Results suggested that a large proportion of the root microbiome composition is determined by M and E, while G-related (G, G × M, and G × E) effects were significant but small. In contrast, the interaction between G and M had a more pronounced effect on plant shoot growth than M alone. Our findings also indicated that most microbiome variations controlled by M have little effect on plant phenotypes, whereas G × M interactions have more significant effects. Plant genotype-dependent interactions with soil microbes warrant more attention to optimize crop yield and resilience.