Dopamine Alleviates Phloridzin Toxicity in Apple by Modifying Rhizosphere Bacterial Community Structure and Function

Area of Science:

• Plant Science
• Soil Microbiology
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Phloridzin accumulation from monoculture inhibits apple growth and disrupts soil microbes.
• This phloridzin stress negatively impacts plant development and rhizosphere ecology.
• Dopamine, an antioxidant, is explored for its potential to counteract phloridzin stress.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate dopamine's effects on phloridzin-stressed apple plants.
• To assess dopamine's impact on plant physiology and rhizosphere microbial community.
• To determine dopamine's role in mitigating apple replant disease (ARD).

Main Methods:

• Hydroponic and pot experiments were conducted.
• Plant growth, photosynthesis, and nitrogen transport were measured.
• Rhizosphere microbial community structure and function were analyzed using metagenomics.

Main Results:

• Dopamine significantly reduced growth inhibition caused by phloridzin stress.
• Dopamine decreased reactive oxygen species, enhanced photosynthesis, and improved nitrogen transport.
• Dopamine lowered phloridzin levels in soil and roots, and enriched beneficial nitrogen-cycling microbes.

Conclusions:

• Dopamine effectively mitigates phloridzin-induced stress in apple plants.
• Dopamine positively modulates rhizosphere microbial communities, enhancing nitrogen cycling.
• Dopamine shows promise for sustainable apple cultivation and managing ARD.