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Temperature-Dependent Root Responses to Water Deficit Modulate Biological Nitrogen Fixation and Rhizosphere Dynamics
Camila Domingos Cabral1, Gladys Angélica Apaza-Castillo2,3, Adriana Sturion Lorenzi1
1Department of Soil Science, "Luiz de Queiroz" College of Agriculture (Esalq), University of São Paulo (USP), Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil.
Physiologia Plantarum
|July 22, 2026
Summary
Water deficit limits soybean biological nitrogen fixation (BNF), while soil warming affects plant metabolism. Combined, these factors critically regulate BNF and soil-plant-microbe interactions, crucial for climate change adaptation strategies.
Area of Science:
- Agricultural Science
- Plant Physiology
- Soil Microbiology
Background:
- Soybean productivity and biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) are impacted by soil warming and water scarcity.
- The combined effects of these stressors on soybean are not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how soil temperature and water regime influence soybean nodulation, BNF efficiency, plant physiology, metabolism, soil enzymes, and microbial communities.
- To understand the interactive effects of soil warming and water deficit on soybean.
Main Methods:
- Soybean plants were grown at two soil temperatures (24°C and 36°C) under well-watered (WW) and water deficit (WD) conditions.
- Evaluated nodulation, BNF efficiency, plant physiology, metabolism, soil enzymatic activity, and rhizosphere microbial communities.
- Measured plant growth, nodule biomass, ureide accumulation, photosynthetic rate, shoot and nodule nutrient concentrations, and soil enzyme activities.
Main Results:
- Water deficit significantly reduced plant growth, nodule number, biomass, and BNF indices, but increased nodular efficiency and photosynthetic rate.
- Soil warming under well-watered conditions increased plant and nodule biomass, ureide accumulation, and BNF efficiency, despite fewer nodules.
- Soil warming altered shoot and nodule composition and influenced soil enzymatic activities and bacterial communities, while fungal communities remained stable.
Conclusions:
- Water deficit is the primary driver of BNF limitation in soybeans.
- Soil warming modulates plant metabolic responses and nutrient uptake.
- Combined soil temperature and water availability are critical regulators of BNF and soil-plant-microbe interactions in soybeans, essential for developing climate-resilient agricultural strategies.
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