Microbial diversity and function in the rhizosphere microbiome: Driving forces and monitoring approaches

Abstract

As an ecological unit, the rhizosphere microbiome preserves an enormous and largely unexplored diversity of microbes that play essential roles in plant health and soil functions. Omics technologies encompassing high-throughput approaches such as metagenomics, metatranscriptomics, and metaproteomics provide helpful tools to unravel the taxonomic composition, gene expression patterns, and functional activities of microbial communities. These technologies have revolutionized microbial ecology by enabling direct access to genomic and functional insights into plant microbiomes without needing cultivation. Furthermore, human activities significantly affect microbial composition and function in the rhizosphere, altering essential biochemical processes. This review describes the roles of plant-associated communities in plant health and productivity, discusses various methods for studying microbial diversity in plant microbiomes, highlights recent advances in omics technologies, and how they expand our understanding of microbial diversity and function in rhizosphere microbiomes. We also address the applications of these methods, as well as their strengths and limitations. Moreover, the review examines the anthropogenic factors that impact microbial communities and discusses strategies for harnessing the resilience of rhizosphere microbes. The information presented here is vital for developing sustainable agricultural practices and addressing global challenges such as climate change and food security.