Construction of synthetic microbial community associated with host metabolite accumulation and root rot control of Codonopsis pilosula

Abstract

Codonopsis pilosula is a traditional medicinal plant known for its significant medicinal value. C. pilosula primarily contains a range of secondary metabolites, including phenylpropanoids and flavonoids, and their accumulation within the body is influenced by various environmental factors. In this study, the soil and roots of C. pilosula were monitored at various growth stages over three consecutive years. The analysis included environmental factors, root microbial community composition, and metabolite variations in metabolites across different growth years. The results revealed that the physical and chemical properties of the soil underwent dynamic changes throughout the growth of the plant. The microbial communities in the rhizosphere soil varied significantly across different growth years, with the biennial rhizosphere soil samples predominantly inhabited by Bacillus species. Co-occurrence network analysis revealed that Bacillus significantly influenced the overall content of chlorogenic acid. Subsequently, isolate the Bacillus species of bacteria present in C. pilosula. A synthetic microbial community specifically targeting C. pilosula was constructed, with five Bacillus species as the core microorganisms. The results demonstrated that the synthetic microbial community was effective in preventing fungus infections and promoting plant growth. In conclusion, this study highlights the comprehensive influence of environmental factors and soil microbial communities on metabolite accumulation in C. pilosula. The establishment of a synthetic microbial community in co-culture with the plant led to a notable increase in root weight, offering novel insights for the cultivation of medicinal plants.