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Apple rootstocks with different phosphorus efficiency exhibit alterations in rhizosphere bacterial structure
X Chai1,2, L Xie1,2, X Wang1,2
1College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Beijing, P. R. China.
Journal of Applied Microbiology
|December 13, 2019
Summary
Researchers identified phosphorus-efficient apple rootstocks that adapt to low phosphorus conditions by altering root morphology. These rootstocks also influence rhizosphere bacteria, notably increasing Bacillus abundance, which correlates with plant phosphorus concentration.
Area of Science:
- Plant Science
- Microbiology
- Agricultural Science
Background:
- Phosphorus deficiency is a major constraint on plant growth and crop yield.
- Apple rootstock selection is crucial for optimizing nutrient uptake and adaptation to challenging soil conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify phosphorus-efficient (PE) apple rootstocks under phosphorus-deficient conditions.
- To investigate the impact of different apple rootstocks on their rhizosphere bacterial communities.
Main Methods:
- Evaluated physiological traits and leaf phenotypes of 83 hybrid lines of Malus robusta × Malling 9 under phosphorus deficiency.
- Assessed root morphology and root hairs (RH) of selected PE and phosphorus-inefficient (PI) lines.
- Utilized Illumina MiSeq sequencing to analyze rhizosphere bacterial communities.
Main Results:
- PE plants exhibited superior growth characteristics and root plasticity compared to PI plants.
- Phosphorus deficiency stimulated root hair growth in PE plants.
- While rhizosphere bacterial diversity showed no significant difference, community structure varied significantly at the genus level, with PE rootstocks hosting more Bacillus, a genus positively correlated with plant phosphorus concentration.
Conclusions:
- Phosphorus-efficient apple rootstocks adapt to phosphorus deficiency by modifying root morphology.
- Apple rootstocks significantly alter their rhizosphere microbial composition, offering potential for developing bio-inoculants to enhance nutrient uptake.
