Shifts in plant functional trait dynamics in relation to soil microbiome in modern and wild barley

Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

Authors

Societal Impact Statement: Understanding domestication's impact on crop root traits and interactions with soil microbiomes is vital for improving crop resilience and agricultural sustainability. Using this knowledge to enhance root systems, reduce chemical inputs, and adapt crops to environmental stress will help to increase global food production, promote eco-friendly farming, and mitigate the effects of climate change. Additionally, identifying microorganisms specific to plant species may help in biodiversity conservation. Advancing scientific understanding and educating future generations on the intricate relationships between plants, soil, and microorganisms is integral to developing innovative, sustainable agricultural practices and improved food security. Summary: Domestication and intensive management practices have significantly shaped characteristics of modern crops. However, our understanding of domestication's impact had mainly focused on aboveground plant traits, neglecting root and rhizospheric traits, as well as trait–trait interactions and root-microbial interactions. To address this knowledge gap, we grew modern (Hordeum vulgare L. var. Barke) and wild barley (Hordeum spontaneum K. Koch var. spontaneum) in large rhizoboxes. We manipulated the soil microbiome by comparing disturbed (sterilized soil inoculum, DSM) versus non-disturbed (non-sterilized inoculum, NSM) microbiome. Results showed that modern barley grew faster and increased organic-carbon exudation (OCEXU) compared to wild barley. Both barley species exhibited accelerated root growth and enhanced OCEXU under DSM, indicating their ability to partially compensate and exploit the soil resources independently of microbes if need be. Plant trait network analysis revealed that modern barley had a denser, larger, and less modular network of microbes than wild barley indicating domestication's impact on trait–trait coordination. In addition, the relative abundance of bacteria did not vary between wild and modern barley rhizospheres; however, species-specific unique bacteria were identified, with stronger effects under DSM. Overall, our findings highlight domestication-driven shifts in root traits, trait coordination, and their modulation by the soil microbiome.

Original languageEnglish
JournalPlants People Planet
Volume6
Issue number6
Pages (from-to)1398-1412
Number of pages15
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 11.2024

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2024 The Authors. Plants, People, Planet published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of New Phytologist Foundation.

    Research areas

  • bacterial diversity, domestication syndrome, exudation, network analysis, root growth rate, root traits, soil microbiome, trait-coordination
  • Biology
  • Ecosystems Research

DOI

Recently viewed

Publications

  1. For whom are internet-based occupational mental health interventions effective? Moderators of internet-based problem-solving training outcome
  2. Correction to
  3. Fatigue crack propagation in AA5083 structures additively manufactured via multi-layer friction surfacing
  4. Schellings subjektivitätskritik
  5. Aim and structure of this book
  6. Adapting and evolving-learning place cooperation in change
  7. Assessing the environmental fate of S-metolachlor, its commercial product Mercantor Gold® and their photoproducts using a water-sediment test and in silico methods
  8. Impacts beyond experimentation - Conceptualising emergent impacts from long-term real-world laboratory processes
  9. Workshop
  10. Crisis Management by Subjectivation
  11. Orientierung im Realraum
  12. Geometrical Accuracy in Two-Stage Incremental Sheet Forming with Active Medium
  13. Different ways lead to ambidexterity
  14. Biodegradation of Flavonoids – Influences of structural features
  15. Controlling des Integrationsprozesses bei Mergers & Acquisitions
  16. Inner and Outer Realms
  17. Constructing Identities and Narrating the Self: Sherman Alexie’s Flight as a Fictional Memoir
  18. Useful synthetic reagents derived from 1-triisopropylsilylpropyne and 1,3bis-[triisopropylsilyl]propyne, direct, stereoselective synthesis of either Z or E enynes
  19. Dangerous settings and risky international assignments
  20. Efficient Production of Nanoparticle Reinforced Magnesium Matrix Composites by High-Shear Stir Casting and Hot Extrusion
  21. Fishing for interpretation
  22. Assessing students’ enjoyment in physical education
  23. Purpurne Zeichen
  24. New incremental methods for springback compensation by stress superposition
  25. Cultural Practices, Norms, and Values