Work

Winter wheat cultivar improvement impacts rare bacterial communities in the rhizosphere more than abundant bacterial communities

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Understanding the impact of genetic improvements in wheat cultivars on microbial communities can enhance nitrogen utilization and boost crop yields. This study analyzed 20 wheat cultivars released between 1964 to 2018. We found shifts in both abundant and rare bacterial communities in the rhizosphere, with distinct patterns for each group over time. Abundant bacterial α-diversity significantly declined with newer cultivars, while rare communities showed an increase. β-diversity in abundant groups remained stable, while that of rare groups decreased. Stochastic processes shaped these communities, with abundant groups showing a constant stochastic element and rare groups experiencing increased stochasticity. Functional predictions revealed a decrease in anaerobic chemoheterotrophy and fermentation and an increase in ureolysis and aromatic compound degradation in rare communities. Random forest analysis showed that the composition of the rare bacterial communities explained more variation in cultivar improvement than that of the abundant one. In abundant bacterial communities, the rise in F_Rhizobiaceae and G_Pedobacter correlated with higher grain yield and nitrogen use efficiency. In rare bacterial communities, increases in S_Pelomonas_aquatica, S_Dyadobacter_hamtensis, G_Erwinia, and G_Sphingobacterium were linked to higher grain yields, while P_Candidatus_Saccharibacteria and S_Dyadobacter_hamtensis enhanced nitrogen efficiency. These findings provide insights into how wheat genetic improvements impact soil bacterial communities, potentially optimizing nitrogen use and enhancing grain yields.

Source: Applied Soil Ecology

DOI: 10.1016/j.apsoil.2025.106071