Abstract
Multifunctionalities linked with the microbial communities associated with the millet crop rhizosphere has remained unexplored. In this study, we are analyzing microbial communities inhabiting rhizosphere of kodo millet and their associated functions and its impact over plant growth and survival. Metagenomics of Paspalum scrobiculatum L.(kodo millet) rhizopshere revealed taxonomic communities with functional capabilities linked to support growth and development of the plants under nutrient-deprived, semi-arid and dry biotic conditions. Among 65 taxonomically diverse phyla identified in the rhizobiome, Actinobacteria were the most abundant followed by the Proteobacteria. Functions identified for different genes/proteins led to revelations that multifunctional rhizobiome performs several metabolic functions including carbon fixation, nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur, iron and aromatic compound metabolism, stress response, secondary metabolite synthesis and virulence, disease, and defense. Abundance of genes linked with N, P, S, Fe and aromatic compound metabolism and phytohormone synthesis—along with other prominent functions—clearly justifies growth, development, and survival of the plants under nutrient deprived dry environment conditions. The dominance of actinobacteria, the known antibiotic producing communities shows that the kodo rhizobiome possesses metabolic capabilities to defend themselves against biotic stresses. The study opens avenues to revisit multi-functionalities of the crop rhizosphere for establishing link between taxonomic abundance and targeted functions that help plant growth and development in stressed and nutrient deprived soil conditions. It further helps in understanding the role of rhizosphere microbiome in adaptation and survival of plants in harsh abiotic conditions.
Highlights
Crop plant rhizosphere harbors a huge collection of mutualistic microbial population which encodes metabolic activities supporting the growth and development of the host and associative organisms [1]
Physicochemical analysis of kodo rhizosphere suggested that the soil was low in carbon (0.49%), nitrogen,and phosphorus content
The soil analysis revealed that the kodo millet plants were growing well in low carbon and nutrient deficient soils in the water deficient conditions
Summary
Crop plant rhizosphere harbors a huge collection of mutualistic microbial population which encodes metabolic activities supporting the growth and development of the host and associative organisms [1]. A vast microbial majority with interactive functions in the natural habitats still remains uncharacterized due to the limitations of culturability on media conditions [4,5]. This is true in the dynamic biological systems like rhizosphere, which harbors complex microbial diversity and metabolic functions [6,7]. Understanding how different microbial communities in the rhizosphere influence plant performance and productivity using metagenomics can open new avenues for devising eco-friendly ways to cater benefits from microbe-mediated agricultural technologies [9]
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