Search Results (7,331)

Background: The adaptability of leguminous plant–rhizobia symbionts enables enhanced plant stress tolerance in environmentally stressed areas. However, how rock desertification (RD) severity affects the endophytic and nitrogen-fixing bacterial communities in Pisum sativum root nodules remains unclear. Methods: We systematically surveyed the microbial communities of P. sativum nodules across a gradient of four RD areas. We sequenced 16S rRNA and nifH amplicons, determined soil physicochemical properties, and performed bioinformatic analyses to relate nodule microbiome diversity to soil variables. Results: The dominant endophytic genera across all sites were Allorhizobium–Neorhizobium–Pararhizobium–Rhizobium and Pseudomonas, with Rhizobium identified as the primary nitrogen-fixing taxon. Soil pH and total phosphorus (TP) showed significant correlations with the overall endophytic bacterial community, whereas total nitrogen (TN), TP, and soil water content (SWC) were associated with nitrogen-fixing taxa. Notably, P. sativum nodules from areas of slight rocky desertification (SRD) harbored higher endophytic bacterial diversity and enhanced carbohydrate metabolism compared to those from moderately rocky desertified (MRD) sites. Conclusions: This study sheds light on how bacterial communities within legume root nodules respond to RD stress, deepening our understanding of plant–microbe co-adaptation and informing microbial-assisted restoration strategies in karst desertification areas. Full article

The intensive use of chemical fertilizers in medicinal plant production raises significant environmental and quality concerns, particularly under arid and high-temperature conditions. This study investigated the effectiveness of indigenous endophytic bacteria consortium as a sustainable approach to reduce mineral fertilizer inputs while improving the growth, yield, and phytochemical quality of roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) under Upper Egypt conditions. A field experiment was conducted during the summer of 2024 in Aswan, Egypt, using a factorial randomized complete block design. Treatments included a ten-strain endophytic consortium applied alone or combined with 25%, 50%, and 75% of the recommended NPK dose, alongside an unfertilized control and 100% NPK alone. Results highlighted clear percentage-based improvements with integrated treatments. The combination of 75% NPK with endophytic inoculation increased dry calyx yield by 16% relative to the conventional 100% NPK treatment. Significant increases were also observed in vegetative growth, fruit number, biomass accumulation, and photosynthetic pigments relative to full chemical fertilization. Moreover, antioxidant activity and concentrations of anthocyanins, phenolics, and flavonoids were maintained or enhanced under reduced fertilizer regimes, indicating qualitative gains without yield penalties. In contrast, complete fertilizer omission caused marked reduction in growth and yield parameters. Overall, substituting 25% of mineral fertilizers with indigenous endophytic inoculation not only sustained productivity but generated measurable yield gains, improved nutrient use efficiency, and strengthened crop resilience, demonstrating a practical and environmentally sound strategy for sustainable roselle cultivation in arid regions. Full article

Abiotic stresses disrupt redox homeostasis and reduce crop productivity. Antioxidant networks support resilience by limiting excess reactive oxygen species (ROS) and maintaining redox signalling for stress perception, gene expression, and metabolic reprogramming. We summarize advances (2000–2025) in ROS generation, detoxification mechanisms, and signalling across organelles, including chloroplasts, mitochondria, peroxisomes, and the apoplast. This includes compartmentalized enzymes—superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and glutathione reductase (GR)—as well as the peroxiredoxin–thioredoxin system and non-enzymatic buffers like ascorbate, glutathione, tocopherols, carotenoids, and flavonoids. We uniquely synthesize these findings in a compartment-resolved “redox rheostat” model, linking ROS concentration–time windows (signaling vs. damage) to antioxidant network design (kinetic tiers, compartmentation, and trade-offs) and identifying intervention points for breeding, genome editing, and field-scale priming. We emphasize constraints, such as NADPH supply and antioxidant recycling capacity, that lead to context-dependent outcomes. We evaluate omics, transgenic strategies, genome editing (CRISPR and Cas systems), exogenous applications, and plant–microbe associations. This synthesis clarifies how antioxidant systems protect photosynthetic and respiratory machinery while supporting signalling, thus outlining routes to climate-resilient, yield-stable crops across varied environments and stresses. Full article

Fruit quality and yield of citrus orchards are co-regulated by complex interactions among soil properties, microbial communities, and plant physiological processes. However, systematic studies that integrate the soil–microbe–plant–fruit continuum remain limited. This study selected four representative ponkan orchards based on yield and fruit quality performance, and systematically determined and correlated key indicators in the soil–plant–fruit continuum. The results showed that the orchards with higher comprehensive performance exhibited more suitable soil pH, higher contents of soil organic matter and available nutrients, as well as higher activities of soil enzymes including urease and acid phosphatase. Compared with the orchards with lower comprehensive performance, soil bacterial and fungal Chao1, Shannon, and Simpson indices were higher in the orchards with higher comprehensive performance. Among the dominant phyla, the relative abundance of Proteobacteria was significantly higher, while that of Actinobacteria was significantly lower. Leaf photosynthetic indexes (chlorophyll content, net photosynthetic rate, Rubisco activity) of the higher-performing orchards were also significantly higher. Correlation analysis showed that soil microbial diversity and Proteobacteria were significantly positively correlated with soil nutrients, enzyme activities, leaf photosynthesis, fruit quality and yield, while Actinobacteria showed the opposite trend. These results provide a theoretical basis for soil management and high-quality cultivation of ponkan orchards. Full article

Subtropical forest ecosystems, especially evergreen broad-leaved forests in the East Asian monsoon region, are a crucial component of the global terrestrial carbon cycle and make a key contribution to the “missing carbon sequestration” in the Northern Hemisphere. This review systematically integrates recent research progress on the carbon pool patterns, aboveground-subsurface biogeochemical processes, and global change responses of subtropical forests, summarizing the potential mechanisms of their sustainable carbon sequestration capacity and identifying current cognitive bottlenecks. Studies have shown that subtropical mature forests have carbon sequestration potential that exceeds traditional theoretical expectations, but there are still significant shortcomings in terms of carbon stability in deep soil (>1 m), quantitative constraints on rhizosphere activating effects, and assessment of ecosystem resilience under extreme climate events. Furthermore, the nonlinear interactions between factors such as climate warming, precipitation changes, and nitrogen deposition may trigger a critical turning point in carbon sink functions, and the water-carbon-geological coupling processes in special habitats such as karst and mangrove forests are often underestimated. We further propose that future research should focus on developing coupled models of “plant–soil–microbe hydrology”, combining molecular and isotopic techniques to elucidate microbial carbon pump mechanisms and strengthening long-term in situ experiments under combined extreme events to provide scientific support for subtropical forest carbon sink management and prediction. Full article

As a uniquely Chinese post-fermented tea, Pu-erh tea undergoes profound changes in quality and flavor during aging, a process primarily driven by microbially mediated metabolic transformations. However, the patterns of microbe–metabolite co-evolution spanning a century-long timescale remain unclear. This study employed three samples—S (1920 raw Pu-erh tea), Y (1999 raw Pu-erh tea), and Q (2024 ripe Pu-erh tea)—integrating non-targeted metabolomics and microbiomics technologies to systematically analyze the characteristics of metabolites and microbial communities in century-old Pu-erh tea. The study elucidated the metabolic characteristics at the endpoint of long-term natural aging: the specific enrichment of hydrolyzable tannins, sucrose, and bipyrrole aromatic derivatives, providing a chemical basis for its unique “century-old charm”. Microbial community analysis indicated that long-term aging leads to simplified bacterial communities but increased fungal evenness, with the century-old sample specifically enriching for Thermodesulfobacterium and a large number of unclassified fungi. Multivariate statistics further constructed a microbe–metabolite interaction network, confirming significant correlations between key bacterial genera such as Paenibacillus and Bacillus and flavor precursors like sugars and phenolic acids. Full article

The excessive use of chemical fertilizers has depleted agricultural soils, necessitating a paradigm shift toward eco-friendly alternatives such as plant-beneficial microbes. However, the integration of plant-beneficial bacteria into global agroecosystems requires strategic and comprehensive analyses, as well as the development of optimally designed bioinocula to maximize their benefits. In this study, twenty-one rhizobacteria isolated from the maize rhizosphere were systematically screened for plant-beneficial traits, including phosphate and zinc solubilization, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) production, and the synthesis of extracellular hydrolytic enzymes, followed by their evaluation for plant growth promotion. Among all bacterial isolates, Pseudomonas sp. NCR2 displayed the most comprehensive plant growth-promoting traits. In a pot-scale experiment, maize plants inoculated with multifaceted Pseudomonas sp. NCR2 showed significantly increased root growth, chlorophyll, soluble proteins, and phenolic contents as compared to untreated plants. This study underscores the significance of systematic screening of host-adaptive rhizobacteria for developing promising and tailored bioinocula. Furthermore, the results of this study also demonstrate the use of multifunctional biofertilizing inoculum for the systematic decrease of chemical inputs while simultaneously maintaining the crop productivity. Full article

Phosphorus (P) is an essential macronutrient for plant growth and a major limiting factor for crop productivity, especially in tropical soils characterized by low P availability and high fixation capacity. The strong dependence of modern agriculture on non-renewable phosphate fertilizers, combined with their low use efficiency, raises economic and environmental concerns and reinforces the need to improve phosphorus use efficiency (PUE) in maize. PUE is a complex trait governed by integrated morphophysiological, biochemical, and molecular mechanisms related to phosphorus acquisition, internal remobilization, metabolic reprogramming, and root system plasticity. Recent advances using omics-based approaches have substantially expanded the understanding of these mechanisms, revealing coordinated regulation of carbon and energy metabolism, phosphatase activity, redox balance, and root meristem dynamics under P-limiting conditions. In parallel, increasing evidence demonstrates the important role of phosphate-solubilizing and plant growth-promoting bacteria in enhancing P availability through organic acid secretion, enzymatic mineralization of organic P forms, and modulation of root architecture. However, despite these advances, the genetic basis of plant responsiveness to beneficial bacteria and the interaction between host genotype and microbial activity remain poorly explored. This review integrates current knowledge on phosphorus dynamics in the soil–plant system, the genetic control of PUE in maize, and the contribution of beneficial bacteria, highlighting the importance of combining classical breeding, molecular approaches, and microbial strategies to accelerate the development of maize cultivars with improved phosphorus efficiency and reduced fertilizer dependency. Full article

This study investigated the effects of inoculating peanuts with two Aspergillus flavus strains (Aspergillus flavus CGMCC 3.4408 and A. flavus LNZW 23) on plant growth and the rhizosphere bacterial community. Infection significantly inhibited peanut growth. By 60 days post-inoculation (dpi), plant height in inoculated groups (CGMCC 3.4408, 26.4 cm; LNZW 23, 25.5 cm) was significantly lower than in the non-inoculated control (CK, 32.3 cm), with concomitant significant reductions in shoot and root biomass. Analysis of rhizosphere microbiota revealed that early infection (7 dpi) reduced bacterial species richness and phylogenetic diversity. Beta diversity analysis (PCoA) confirmed a significant divergence in microbial community structure between inoculated and control groups over time, with a statistically significant difference also observed between the two inoculated strains (p = 0.016). In terms of community composition, Proteobacteria, Acidobacteriota, and Actinobacteria were the three dominant phyla. At the genus level, infection altered the relative abundance of key taxa; genera such as KD4-96, Vicinamibacteraceae, and RB41 decreased at 7 dpi, while Sphingomonas remained relatively stable. By 60 dpi, community dominance increased, marked by rising abundances of Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria. In conclusion, A. flavus infection not only suppresses peanut growth but also persistently alters its rhizosphere microbial community, with effects demonstrating both time-dependency and strain-specificity. Full article

Pest insect-associated microbes display great phenotypic and genotypic diversity, with many members inhabiting broader ecological niche. Several of these bacteria are ubiquitous in nature and contribute to fruit spoilage. When microbes occur in both environmental niches and insect hosts, their ability to adapt to diverse substrates may facilitate their ecological success. This study focuses on characterization of the metabolic capability of three bacterial isolates belonging to the genera Acetobacter and Pantoea associated with Drosophila suzukii collected in the Netherlands. Carbon utilization patterns and tolerance to environmental stressors were assessed under varying conditions of salinity, pH, and antibiotics. The isolates differed in their metabolic profiles but collectively demonstrated the capacity to utilize a wide range of carbon sources. In addition, they exhibited tolerance towards different chemicals including salt and antibiotics. The metabolic flexibility of bacteria associated with D. suzukii may facilitate their persistence within fruit environments and contribute to host ecology. Overall, this study provides functional insight into insect-associated bacteria and underscores the importance of metabolic characterization in understanding their ecological significance. Full article

The plant holobiont comprises the host plant and its associated microbial communities functioning together as a single ecological and evolutionary unit that influences plant health, productivity, and environmental adaptability. Endophytes, formerly classified primarily as plant growth-promoting agents, are currently gaining traction as integral components of plant-associated microbiomes such as the rhizobiome and phytobiome. They can alter host-mediated root exudation patterns, microbial community structure, and nutrient dynamics within the rhizosphere. Endophytes play an important role in modulating host signaling pathways, thus influencing plant growth. Various mechanisms by which endophytes contribute to improved plant performance include soil microbiome dynamics, carbon sequestration, and strengthening the host’s ability to tolerate abiotic stressors. Multi-omics, single-cell, and systems-level approaches integrated with CRISPR, metabolic engineering, and AI, together with systems biology, guided by in vitro and field studies, support predictive modeling and provide evidence for the evolution of system-driven strategies for developing effective bioinoculants. This review highlights the potential of endophytes to serve as a scalable and sustainable component of climate-resilient and regenerative agricultural systems, while acknowledging ecological variability and field-level constraints. Full article

Climate change has emerged as a major global concern and has substantially intensified the occurrence of abiotic stresses in plants. Among the abiotic constraints limiting crop production, drought stress is regarded as one of the most severe and pervasive challenges. To this end, developing efficient and sustainable strategies to mitigate drought has become an urgent priority in agricultural research. Current approaches to improving drought tolerance mainly include optimizing irrigation management, applying chemical regulators, and breeding drought-resistant cultivars. However, these strategies often suffer from high input costs, limited durability of effects, potential environmental risks, or restricted regional applicability, making it difficult to achieve long-term and stable drought mitigation. In recent years, a growing body of evidence has indicated that rhizosphere microorganisms play pivotal regulatory roles in plant drought adaptation, with beneficial fungi being particularly important. Nonetheless, the key processes and mechanisms by which microbiomes mediate crop adaptation to drought need to be elucidated systematically. In this review, we synthesize recent advances in the field and, against the backdrop of increasingly severe global drought, summarize the major impacts of drought stress on crop growth and physiological processes. We further systematically synthesize the key mechanisms by which beneficial fungi alleviate drought stress in crops. Finally, we outline future research directions to deepen our understanding of rhizosphere–crop–microbe interaction networks and to provide a theoretical basis for developing beneficial fungus-centered microbial biofertilizers and microbiome-mediated strategies to enhance crop drought resilience. Full article

Background: Periodontitis is a highly prevalent chronic inflammatory disease characterized by a complex host–microbe interaction and modulated by systemic regulatory pathways, including stress-related neuroendocrine and immunological mechanisms. Mind–body movement-based interventions such as yoga, tai chi, and qigong have demonstrated beneficial effects on stress and inflammation in general medicine, yet their relevance for periodontal health has not been systematically mapped. Methods: A scoping review was conducted in accordance with the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology and the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Eligibility criteria included studies conducted in adult human participants examining mind–body movement-based interventions in relation to periodontal health. Sources of evidence comprised peer-reviewed studies identified through systematic searches in CINAHL, BIOSIS, Embase, PubMed/MEDLINE, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and LIVIVO. Data were charted using a standardized extraction form capturing key study characteristics and outcomes. Eligible studies reported clinical periodontal parameters and/or biological or psychosocial outcomes related to stress or inflammation. Results: Eleven studies investigating mind–body movement-based interventions and periodontal health were included. Interventions comprised yoga, pranayama, tai chi, and qigong, with study designs ranging from one randomized controlled trial to non-randomized interventional and observational studies. Most studies reported clinical periodontal parameters and/or periodontal-related biological markers, including inflammatory, oxidative, and immune markers, and several also assessed stress-related outcomes. The interventions were applied both as adjuncts to conventional periodontal therapy and as stand-alone approaches. Overall, the included studies reported short-term changes in periodontal parameters and stress-related measures that were generally directed towards associated with improvement; however, long-term periodontal outcomes were rarely assessed. Conclusions: Mind–body movement-based interventions, such as yoga and pranayama, have been examined in relation to periodontal health, with studies reporting periodontal clinical parameters, biological markers, and stress-related outcomes. The available evidence is heterogeneous and largely limited to short-term observations. Further methodologically rigorous studies with standardized outcome measures and longer follow-up periods are needed to better characterize the relationship between mind–body interventions and their potential adjunctive relevance in periodontal care, as current evidence does not allow conclusions regarding their routine adjunctive use. Full article

Functional microbial inoculation is widely applied in soil restoration; however, its effects on aggregate-scale nutrient cycling remain unclear. Based on ecological stoichiometry theory, we conducted 1-year and 3-year pot experiments using Bacillus thuringiensis (NL-11) and Gongronella butleri (NL-15) under plant-present and plant-absent conditions, with only NL-11 applied in the 1-year experiment. Aggregate size distribution, mean weight diameter (MWD), soil nutrients, microbial biomass, and enzyme activities were evaluated across aggregate classes. The results demonstrated that microbial effects were dependent on both time and plant presence. Under 3-year plant-present conditions, NL-11 and NL-15 significantly increased macroaggregate proportions and MWD, thereby enhancing aggregate stability. Under 3-year no-plant conditions, NL-15 increased organic carbon and total nitrogen in macro- and meso-aggregates by 55–59% and elevated soil C/P and N/P ratios, whereas NL-11 primarily enhanced total nitrogen. In 1-year no-plant macroaggregates, NL-11 increased microbial biomass phosphorus and reduced microbial biomass C/P and N/P ratios. Both inoculants enhanced invertase activity under plant-absent conditions, whereas plant presence stimulated acid phosphatase activity, with NAG activity increasing only under NL-15. Overall, microbial inoculation altered nutrient availability and microbial metabolic characteristics, promoted coordinated C–N–P stoichiometry, and facilitated the recovery of aggregate-scale nutrient cycling. Full article

Kefir is a traditional fermented milk beverage characterized by a complex community of lactic acid bacteria, acetic acid bacteria and yeasts that contributes to its unique sensory and nutritional properties. Regular consumption of kefir has been associated with a wide range of potential health benefits. This review aimed to evaluate the available clinical evidence on kefir consumption and its impact on human health. A literature search of the databases PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus was conducted up to 30 August 2025. Eligible studies were human clinical trials investigating kefir as a fermented milk beverage without the addition of defined probiotic strains, prebiotics, or synbiotics. A total of 28 clinical studies were identified and included diverse study designs, such as crossover trials, parallel-group randomized controlled trials, multi-arm trials, early-phase exploratory studies, and pilot studies. Kefir intake showed potential benefits for gut microbiota modulation, metabolic parameters, inflammatory markers, immune function, and gastrointestinal health. However, interpretation of these findings is limited due to substantial heterogeneity in kefir preparation, microbial composition, dosage, intervention duration, study populations, and outcome measures. Consequently, although kefir may offer multiple health benefits, the overall strength of evidence remains limited. Larger, well-designed clinical trials with standardized kefir interventions are needed to better define kefir’s efficacy in specific populations and health conditions. Full article