Effect of Drought Stress on Root Metabolome and Soil Microbial Characteristics for Maize (Zea mays L.) Seedlings

Drought stress markedly alters the physicochemical and biological properties of the maize rhizosphere, with significant implications for plant growth and resilience. This study investigated the effects of drought on root metabolites, microbial community dynamics, and rhizosphere characteristics in maize seedlings. Under drought conditions, root amino acid levels increased, whereas fatty acids and carboxylic acids declined, indicating enhanced nitrogen metabolism and suppressed energy-related pathways. Metabolomic profiling revealed differentially accumulated metabolites, including flavonoids, fatty acids, coumarins, and apocarotenoids, potentially associated with drought-induced signaling and defense mechanisms. Microbial community analysis demonstrated a reduction in bacterial diversity (Shannon index) and an increase in fungal diversity, alongside compositional shifts such as decreased relative abundances of Chloroflexi and Eurotiomycetes, and increased Gemmatimonadota and Sordariomycetes. Canonical correlation analysis and correlation heatmaps indicated that soil organic matter, pH, and available nutrient levels were key determinants of microbial community structure. These findings provide mechanistic insights into maize root-microbiome interactions under drought stress and offer a foundation for developing strategies to enhance crop drought tolerance.