Network Analysis of Wheat and Couchgrass Rhizobacteria Highlights Candidate Biocontrol Agents for Improved Crop Resilience

One promising approach for enhancing soil fertility and improving agricultural productivity involves the use of rhizospheric bacteria as biocontrol agents. In this study, the rhizobiomes of wheat (species Triticum aestivum) and couchgrass (species Elytrigia repens) were analyzed to identify hub taxa with potential biocontrol properties. A comparative analysis of diversity, community composition, and bacterial interaction networks in the rhizosphere was conducted based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The bacterial rhizobiome of wheat exhibited great diversity; however, interaction networks within the couchgrass rhizosphere were more complex and interconnected. Network analysis identified hub taxa that may be associated with the structural organization of rhizosphere microbial communities. This study lays the groundwork for further investigation into the use of hub taxa as biocontrol agents. Future research should focus on biotechnological validation of their properties, as the integration of their roles within microbial communities and their potential beneficial effects may contribute to mitigating the impact of abiotic stresses on wheat.