Rhizosphere最新文献

{"title":"Wheat density drives negative density dependence in nitrogen uptake and root plasticity in wheat–weed communities","authors":"Li Zhang ,&nbsp;Weiqiang Liu ,&nbsp;Yizhong Rong ,&nbsp;Jiazhen Xi ,&nbsp;Lingfeng Mao ,&nbsp;Anna Gunina ,&nbsp;Zhen Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.rhisph.2025.101243","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rhisph.2025.101243","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Adverse density-dependent effects on competition outcomes (e.g., fecundity) are stronger within species than between them, promoting species coexistence. However, empirical evidence on the resource competition process (e.g., nitrogen, N) and on how plant root traits and fertilization alter this process remains unclear. We conducted a response-surface design competition experiment involving wheat and weeds (<em>Avena fatua</em> L. or <em>Echinochloa crus-galli</em> (L.) P. Beauv., i.e., WB and WO pair) across densities (4, 8, 12, 16 individuals per pot) and proportions (wheat:weed 0:1, 0.25:0.75, 0.5:0.5, 0.75:0.25, 1:0), and fertilization treatment. After seven months, root morphology traits were measured and NH₄⁺ and NO₃⁻ uptake was studied using short-term ¹⁵N labeling. Without fertilization, high wheat density reduced wheat's root area (α_<em>ii</em> = −0.130 and −0.147 in WB and WO pairs) and length (−0.110; −0.120) while increasing specific root length (0.040; 0.062) and area (0.019; 0.035) to mitigate a reduction in NH₄⁺ (−0.142) than NO₃⁻ (−0.205). Weeds reduced root length and NH₄⁺ uptake. With fertilization, increasing wheat density decreased wheat and weed root length (α_<em>ii</em> = −0.117, α_<em>ij</em> = −0.238 in WB pair; α_<em>ii</em> = −0.117, α_<em>ij</em> = −0.181 in WO pair) and area (α_<em>ii</em> = −0.126, α_<em>ij</em> = −0.283; α_<em>ii</em> = −0.152, α_<em>ij</em> = −0.206), NH₄⁺ (α_<em>ii</em> = −0.281; α_<em>ij</em> = −0.224), and NO₃⁻ uptake (α_<em>ii</em> = −0.079; α_<em>ij</em> = −0.326). Weeds also increased specific root length (0.220 and 0.079) and area (0.054 in the WO pair). These N reduction and root plasticity were not observed with increased weed density, suggesting that maintaining weed presence did not reduce wheat's N uptake. Our research indicated that weed management strategies should consider density-dependent N competition and root plasticity within agricultural systems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48589,"journal":{"name":"Rhizosphere","volume":"37 ","pages":"Article 101243"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145749556","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The extracellular polymeric substances and plants drive soil structural reinforcement and water retention in ground fissures","authors":"Haining Yu ,&nbsp;Yinli Bi ,&nbsp;Kaiwei Xu ,&nbsp;Suping Peng ,&nbsp;Yang Zhou ,&nbsp;Yinchu Qiao","doi":"10.1016/j.rhisph.2026.101263","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rhisph.2026.101263","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Underground mining in arid and semi-arid regions of western China has resulted in the widespread formation of ground fissures, leading to soil structure degradation and water loss, which severely constrain vegetation restoration. Although extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) have shown great potential in soil improvement, the effectiveness under strongly disturbed fissure conditions and the synergistic effects with plants remain poorly understood. This study investigated the individual and synergistic effects of EPS and plants on soil structure and water retention capacity in areas affected by ground fissures, aiming to provide a theoretical foundation for ecological restoration in mining-impacted areas. A soil column simulation experiment was conducted under four treatments: untreated control (CK), EPS sprayed on the surface of fissure areas (EPS), plants grown near fissures (PL), and combined EPS application and plant treatment (PE). The stability of plant growth parameters, soil water content, soil aggregates, and pore structure were systematically analyzed. The results showed that EPS significantly promoted both aboveground and belowground biomass accumulation and root development. Compared with the PL treatment, the PE treatment increased root length, number of root tips, root projection area, root volume, and root surface area by 28.3 %, 114.3 %, 16.5 %, 126.9 %, and 22.9 %, respectively. The synergistic effects between EPS and roots significantly enhanced the shear strength and cohesion of the root-soil composite, increasing the shear strength by 18.0 % at 400 kPa confining pressure compared to the CK treatment. Both EPS and plants reduced soil water loss in fissure areas, with the PE treatment showing the highest water retention capacity. Furthermore, EPS and plants jointly improved soil structure by increasing the proportion of large macroaggregates (LMA) and enhancing pore connectivity. Relative to CK, the proportion of LMA increased by 26.5 %, 18.1 %, and 37.2 % under EPS, PL, and PE treatments, respectively. These findings demonstrate that EPS, by promoting plant growth and forming stable root-soil composite, substantially enhances soil water retention capacity and mechanical stability, providing a scientific basis for ecological restoration in fissure areas.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48589,"journal":{"name":"Rhizosphere","volume":"37 ","pages":"Article 101263"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145977514","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Rhizosphere reprogramming for PAH detoxification: Microbial phytoremediation and engineering strategies","authors":"Shumaila Parveen ,&nbsp;Zaryab Shafi ,&nbsp;Waquar Akhter Ansari ,&nbsp;Talat Ilyas ,&nbsp;Mohammad Shahid ,&nbsp;Sajad Ali","doi":"10.1016/j.rhisph.2026.101270","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rhisph.2026.101270","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are major constraints in soil pollution owing to their long-term persistence, limited bioavailability and toxicity. This review explores microbe - meditated rhizosphere engineering to enhance PAH phytoremediation, emphasizing rhizobacterial degradation and molecular engineering. Microbial based remediation and rhizosphere engineering are one of the prime and sustainable approaches for effective PAH remediation however, it may require integrated rather than standalone approaches. Plant growth–promoting rhizobacteria can facilitate PAH transformation through oxygenase-driven catabolic pathways, biofilm formation, and root stress modulation via ACC deaminase and phytohormone signaling. Advances in genetic engineering, CRISPR-based editing, and synthetic microbial consortia enable precise enhancement of catabolic functions and stability in complex soils. Omics-enabled analyses reveal microbial interactions, metabolic fluxes, and regulatory networks driving rhizosphere PAH turnover, guiding rational system design. Integrative strategies incorporating biochar, nanomaterials, and engineered consortia enhance contaminant bioavailability and degradation efficiency. Collectively, these advances establish rhizosphere engineering as a scalable framework for PAH phytoremediation under field conditions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48589,"journal":{"name":"Rhizosphere","volume":"37 ","pages":"Article 101270"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146037965","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Bacillus velezensis synergizes with coal gangue to enhance Medicago sativa growth: Insights into nutrient cycling and soil fertility enhancement","authors":"Yaya Wang ,&nbsp;Mingwu Liu ,&nbsp;Zijie Xi ,&nbsp;Kuanysh T. Tastambek ,&nbsp;Meili Du ,&nbsp;Xiangrong Liu ,&nbsp;Xuan Xie ,&nbsp;Ru Zhang ,&nbsp;Nuraly S. Akimbekov","doi":"10.1016/j.rhisph.2026.101289","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rhisph.2026.101289","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Accumulation of coal gangue generates substantial risks to both the environment and public health, highlighting the need for effective and sustainable remediation approaches. This study demonstrates that microbial-assisted utilization through <em>Bacillus velezensis</em> (<em>B. velezensis</em>) synergizes with coal gangue, significantly enhancing the growth and germination rate of <em>Medicago sativa</em> (alfalfa). Detailed analysis revealed that this co-treatment notably improved soil fertility by increasing levels of organic matter, dissolved organic carbon, humic-like substances, and key nutrients, including total nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus. Additionally, soil enzymatic activities, including urease, amylase, laccase, protease, phosphatase, and 1-Aminocyclopropane-1-Carboxylate deaminase, were elevated, along with the production of indole-3-acetic acid. Microbial analysis showed that the addition of <em>B. velezensis</em> enhanced operational taxonomic unit (OTU) richness and significantly increased <em>Bacillus</em> abundance. Metagenomic and qPCR analysis further revealed the expression of key functional genes, including <em>trpCDE</em> (IAA biosynthesis), <em>nifK</em> (nitrogen fixation), <em>KdpAB</em> (potassium transport), and <em>phnCD</em> (phosphorus cycling). This genetic reprogramming enhanced nutrient cycling while amplifying phytohormonal and enzymatic pathways. Overall, this study presents a promising strategy for the sustainable utilization of coal gangue, contributing to soil fertility enhancement and advancing circular economy solutions for coal-mining regions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48589,"journal":{"name":"Rhizosphere","volume":"37 ","pages":"Article 101289"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146188452","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Vegetation restoration governs the changes in soil preferential flow and matrix infiltration","authors":"Lin Zhang,&nbsp;Tianheng Zhao,&nbsp;Shi Qi","doi":"10.1016/j.rhisph.2026.101258","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rhisph.2026.101258","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Soil infiltration consists of preferential flow and matrix flow, both of which play a critical role in regulating soil water redistribution and the hydrological cycle. However, how different vegetation restoration types influence the partitioning between preferential flow and matrix infiltration remains poorly understood. Three typical vegetation restoration types of Moso bamboo pure forest, Moso bamboo-Chinese fir mixed forest and Chinese fir pure forest in the subtropical regions of southern China were selected, and the soil preferential flow and matrix flow were measured by using the improved surface-mounted double-ring infiltrometer. The effects of the driving factors on the preferential flow and matrix infiltration were quantified.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>1) The preferential flow were 2.31–4.36 times greater than the matrix infiltration, accounting for 79.5 %–81.3 % of the total infiltration (TIA) in Moso bamboo pure forest, 74.9 %–77.0 % of the TIA in Moso bamboo–Chinese fir mixed forest, and 69.8 %–72.5 % of the TIA in Chinese fir pure forest; 2) The total infiltration (560.54–739.47 mm) and preferential flow (425.68–595.81 mm) followed the order: Moso bamboo pure forest &gt; Moso bamboo–Chinese fir mixed forest &gt; Chinese fir pure forest. The cumulative matrix infiltration (136.62–184.20 mm) followed the order: Chinese fir pure forest &gt; Moso bamboo–Chinese fir mixed forest &gt; Moso bamboo pure forest. Fine root biomass (&lt;2 mm), NCP, and BD were the dominant factors influencing the preferential flow, jointly accounting for 55.3 % of the contribution. Fine root biomass (&lt;2 mm), clay, and BD showed close correlations with matrix infiltration, collectively explaining 60.6 % of the contribution. The findings provide mechanistic insights into soil hydrological functioning under different restoration strategies and offer practical implications for optimizing vegetation management and improving water conservation in subtropical ecosystems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48589,"journal":{"name":"Rhizosphere","volume":"37 ","pages":"Article 101258"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145939444","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Hyphosphere metabolic reprogramming in lipids and aromatic amino acids drives differential mycorrhizal growth promotion in trifoliate orange","authors":"Hao-Ran Jiang ,&nbsp;Wan-Lin Fu ,&nbsp;Ci Deng ,&nbsp;Ying-Ning Zou ,&nbsp;Mashael Daghash Alqahtani ,&nbsp;Qiang-Sheng Wu","doi":"10.1016/j.rhisph.2026.101280","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rhisph.2026.101280","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi play a crucial role in plant growth and ecosystem functioning by regulating the rhizosphere microenvironment through their extensive extraradical hyphal networks. However, hyphal exudates are intimately mixed with root deposits and native organic matter in natural soil, making it difficult to isolate the specific chemical contributions of the hyphae themselves. To directly investigate the regulatory effects of extraradical hyphae from different AM fungi on the microenvironment, this study used trifoliate orange colonized by <em>Funneliformis mosseae</em> (<em>Fm</em>) and <em>Rhizophagus intraradices</em> (<em>Ri</em>) in a two-compartment rootbox where the root and hyphal compartments were separated by a 37 μm nylon mesh, with the hyphal compartment filled with high-temperature-ashed (550 °C for 24 h) sand to eliminate organic matter interference. The <em>Fm</em> treatment showed higher root colonization and greater soil hyphal length in the root compartment compared to <em>Ri</em>, although the nylon mesh barrier restricted hyphal extension into the hyphal compartment. Inoculation with either fungus significantly increased leaf, stem, and root biomass, with <em>Ri</em> promoting significantly greater biomass accumulation across all tissues than <em>Fm</em>. Untargeted metabolomic analysis of the sand matrix from the hyphal compartment identified 588 differential metabolites across all pairwise comparisons. The number and regulation pattern of these metabolites varied significantly, with the control vs <em>Fm</em> comparison showing 481 differential metabolites (162 upregulated and 319 downregulated), control vs <em>Ri</em> having 504 (213 upregulated and 291 downregulated), and <em>Fm</em> vs <em>Ri</em> yielding 448 (312 upregulated and 136 downregulated). Notably, the polyacetylene lobetyolin was upregulated specifically in the <em>Fm vs Ri</em> comparison, while the oxylipin 11-oxatetradecanoic acid was downregulated in the same contrast. The chalcone derivative 5′-fluoro-2′-hydroxy-4-methylchalcone showed divergent regulation, being downregulated in control vs <em>Fm</em> but upregulated in <em>Fm vs Ri</em>, highlighting comparison-specific metabolic reprogramming. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis revealed that these differential metabolites were significantly enriched in key pathways including phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan biosynthesis (the shikimate pathway), fatty acid biosynthesis, unsaturated fatty acid metabolism, and folate metabolism. Notably, <em>Ri</em> treatment exhibited stronger enrichment in unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis and ubiquinone metabolism compared to <em>Fm</em>. The findings reveal that species-specific hyphosphere metabolic reprogramming, particularly in lipids and aromatic amino acids, rather than colonization extent, determines the differential growth promotion of trifoliate orange by AM fungi.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48589,"journal":{"name":"Rhizosphere","volume":"37 ","pages":"Article 101280"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146077811","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Connecting soil spatial heterogeneities and grapevine root system architecture in California's Central Valley using non-invasive geophysical methods","authors":"Solomon Ehosioke ,&nbsp;Sam Dudley ,&nbsp;Andrew J. McElrone ,&nbsp;Megan Bartlett ,&nbsp;Gordon Osterman","doi":"10.1016/j.rhisph.2025.101247","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rhisph.2025.101247","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Soil spatial heterogeneity significantly impacts grapevine performance and water-use efficiency, yet understanding the intricate belowground dynamics remains a challenge. This study integrates non-invasive geophysical methods with physiological measurements and root morphology analysis to investigate the influence of soil variability on two grapevine rootstocks, Millardet et de Grasset 101-14 (101-14 Mgt) and Richter 110 (110R), in California's Central Valley. Electromagnetic induction and electrical resistivity tomography were used to map soil spatial heterogeneity, revealing distinct soil units (Yolo silt loam and Reiff very fine sandy loam) with varying physical and hydraulic properties. Electrical capacitance measurement successfully evaluated root system size as we found a positive correlation between root electrical capacitance and root dry mass in both rootstocks. Our results also show that root capacitance was consistently higher in the high vigor and drought resistant 110R than in the moderate vigor and drought sensitive 101-14, highlighting root system differences between the rootstocks. Furthermore, we found that vine water status, indicated by stem water potential and stomatal conductance, varied significantly between rootstocks and locations, and are driven by the underlying soil properties. This research demonstrates the utility of integrating geophysical and electrical methods for field-based phenotyping, providing novel insights into the soil-plant continuum. These findings highlight the potential of agrogeophysics for characterizing vineyard spatial heterogeneity to inform site-specific vineyard management, optimize irrigation strategies, and aid in rootstock selection for enhanced drought resilience without the need for labor intensive excavations.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48589,"journal":{"name":"Rhizosphere","volume":"37 ","pages":"Article 101247"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145798608","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Rhizosphere microbial recruitment and metabolite-mediated regulation drive contrasting salt tolerance mechanisms in two alfalfa cultivars","authors":"Zhuanqiang Wu ,&nbsp;Fenfen Liang ,&nbsp;Wen Luo ,&nbsp;Qian Zhang ,&nbsp;Shaowei Li ,&nbsp;Hongshan Yang ,&nbsp;Changze Han ,&nbsp;Yonggang Wang ,&nbsp;Zhiqiang Kong ,&nbsp;Xiaoli Wang ,&nbsp;Xinqiang Zhu","doi":"10.1016/j.rhisph.2025.101240","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rhisph.2025.101240","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Alfalfa, the “king of forage,” offers high-quality feed and ecological benefits, but salt stress limits its growth and yield. Salt-tolerant alfalfa varieties were selected using ZT1, developed via space-induced mutation breeding, and ZL2, bred through conventional hybridization. By combining metabolomic and 16S rRNA sequencing data from two varieties (ZT1 and ZL2) under gradient NaCl treatments, we uncovered divergent adaptation mechanisms. ZT1 sustained higher photosynthetic performance, achieved better ion balance, and accumulated more flavonoids and terpenoids. It engaged in quorum sensing and beneficial microbial cooperation, adopting an energy-efficient, microbe-assisted strategy to mitigate stress. In contrast, ZL2 relied on broad metabolic reprogramming and enriched microbes linked to defense, demonstrating a more autonomous, energetically costly survival response under high salinity. Microbial diversity decreased with increasing salt stress, but ZT1 maintained a more stable community structure. These findings advance our understanding of plant–microbe–metabolite crosstalk under stress and support the development of breeding or microbiome-based strategies to enhance salt tolerance in <em>Medicago sativa</em> L.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48589,"journal":{"name":"Rhizosphere","volume":"37 ","pages":"Article 101240"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145798615","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of multi-environmental factors on rhizosphere microbial community structure of Paeonia lactiflora Pall. and its interaction mechanism with medicinal quality","authors":"Feifei Yang ,&nbsp;Bingzhen Li ,&nbsp;Shuwen Zhao ,&nbsp;Yun Hu ,&nbsp;Ming Li ,&nbsp;Xiaoming Zhang ,&nbsp;Yujie Song","doi":"10.1016/j.rhisph.2025.101252","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rhisph.2025.101252","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Systematic research on factors influencing the quality of <em>Paeonia lactiflora</em> Pall. and the association between rhizosphere microbial communities and medicinal quality remains limited. In this study, the growth quality and rhizosphere microbial diversity of wild and cultivated <em>Paeonia lactiflora</em> Pall. collected from various producing areas in North China were analyzed in relation to soil chemical properties and climatic conditions. Methods such as high-performance liquid chromatography, Mantel tests, and microbial-quality correlation analysis were employed to investigate the effects of cultivation practices on medicinal quality and to identify key environmental factors driving rhizosphere microbial communities. The results demonstrated that growth parameters (e.g., root length and diameter) and bioactive compound contents (e.g., paeoniflorin, oxypaeoniflorin) were significantly higher in wild <em>Paeonia lactiflora</em> Pall. compared to cultivated plants. Production regions and cultivation practices significantly influenced rhizosphere microbial community structure. The microbial diversity in the rhizosphere of wild plants was higher, enriched with growth-promoting bacteria such as <em>Pseudomonas</em>, whereas cultivated plants favored potential pathogenic fungi like <em>Fusarium</em>. Soil chemical characteristics (pH, total nitrogen, available phosphorus), climatic variables (mean annual precipitation, sunshine duration), and producing areas were the primary environmental drivers shaping rhizosphere microbial communities. Bacterial diversity showed a significant positive correlation with root number and ash content of <em>Paeonia lactiflora</em> Pall., while fungal diversity was closely associated with the accumulation of paeoniflorin and total flavonoids. Beneficial microbes, including <em>Reyranella</em>, <em>Xanthobacteraceae</em>, and <em>Streptomyces</em>, exhibited significantly positive correlations with medicinal growth and secondary metabolite accumulation. In conclusion, this study elucidates the “microbe–environment–medicinal quality” interaction mechanism and highlights multi-factorial synergy in determining the medicinal quality of <em>Paeonia lactiflora</em> Pall. These findings provide theoretical support and novel perspectives for the establishment of genuine production areas, sustainable utilization of medicinal plant resources, and improved cultivation management.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48589,"journal":{"name":"Rhizosphere","volume":"37 ","pages":"Article 101252"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145884727","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Enhancing root resilience through sustainable agriculture to mitigate heavy metal pollution and abiotic stresses in a changing climate","authors":"Md Shihab Uddine Khan ,&nbsp;Nahid Afridi ,&nbsp;Sadia Afroz Ritu ,&nbsp;Shamsul Islam Shipar ,&nbsp;Samia Binta Zaman ,&nbsp;Noshin Tabassum Hasan ,&nbsp;Shihab Uddin ,&nbsp;Mehedi Hasan ,&nbsp;Mehdi Rahimi ,&nbsp;Mousumi Jahan Sumi ,&nbsp;Shahin Imran","doi":"10.1016/j.rhisph.2025.101251","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rhisph.2025.101251","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Heavy metal (HM) contamination and climate-induced abiotic stresses have emerged as interconnected global challenges that threaten agricultural productivity and food security. Industrial emissions, agrochemical misuse, and wastewater irrigation contribute to the accumulation of toxic metals such as cadmium, lead, arsenic, and mercury in soils, where they disrupt nutrient cycling and impair plant metabolism. Simultaneously, drought and salinity, exacerbated by climate change, alter soil moisture and ion balance, enhancing metal bioavailability and toxicity. The combined effects of these stresses intensify oxidative damage, inhibit photosynthesis, and reduce crop yield. Plants employ multifaceted defense mechanisms, including activation of antioxidant enzymes, osmolyte accumulation, and regulation of metal transporters, supported by hormonal and transcriptional networks. Recent studies also highlight the role of stress memory and epigenetic regulation in enabling cross-tolerance and long-term adaptation. Sustainable mitigation strategies integrate biological, chemical, and genetic approaches to reduce HM uptake and enhance resilience. Phytoremediation, biochar amendment, and the use of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria improve soil quality and stress tolerance, while molecular breeding and CRISPR/Cas-based genome editing accelerate the development of dual-resistant crop varieties. This review consolidates current knowledge on the mechanisms underlying HM uptake, toxicity, and plant adaptation under concurrent abiotic stresses, emphasizing the need for integrated, climate-smart, and biotechnological interventions to ensure sustainable crop production and ecosystem restoration in contaminated agroecosystems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48589,"journal":{"name":"Rhizosphere","volume":"37 ","pages":"Article 101251"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145884728","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}