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Functional assembly of root‐associated microbial consortia improves nutrient efficiency and yield in soybean
Author(s) -
Wang Cunhu,
Li Yanjun,
Li Mingjia,
Zhang Kefei,
Ma Wenjing,
Zheng Lei,
Xu Hanyu,
Cui Baofeng,
Liu Ran,
Yang Yongqing,
Zhong Yongjia,
Liao Hong
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of integrative plant biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.734
H-Index - 83
eISSN - 1744-7909
pISSN - 1672-9072
DOI - 10.1111/jipb.13073
Subject(s) - nutrient , biology , nutrient deficiency , host (biology) , yield (engineering) , root hair , auxin , agronomy , microbiology and biotechnology , ecology , gene , biochemistry , materials science , metallurgy
Root‐associated microbes are critical for plant growth and nutrient acquisition. However, scant information exists on optimizing communities of beneficial root‐associated microbes or the mechanisms underlying their interactions with host plants. In this report, we demonstrate that root‐associated microbes are critical influencers of host plant growth and nutrient acquisition. Three synthetic communities (SynComs) were constructed based on functional screening of 1,893 microbial strains isolated from root‐associated compartments of soybean plants. Functional assemblage of SynComs promoted significant plant growth and nutrient acquisition under both N/P nutrient deficiency and sufficiency conditions. Field trials further revealed that application of SynComs stably and significantly promoted plant growth, facilitated N and P acquisition, and subsequently increased soybean yield. Among the tested communities, SynCom1 exhibited the greatest promotion effect, with yield increases of up to 36.1% observed in two field sites. Further RNA‐seq implied that SynCom application systemically regulates N and P signaling networks at the transcriptional level, which leads to increased representation of important growth pathways, especially those related to auxin responses. Overall, this study details a promising strategy for constructing SynComs based on functional screening, which are capable of enhancing nutrient acquisition and crop yield through the activities of beneficial root‐associated microbes.