Heterogeneous distribution of toxic arsenic modulates the mutualistic interaction between Pteris vittata and soil microbiota
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: While soil nutrient heterogeneity is known to influence plant fitness and ecosystem diversity, the ecological effects of heterogeneous arsenic (As) contamination on plant–microbe interactions remain unclear. Using multi-omics, we demonstrate that the As-hyperaccumulator Pteris vittata restores diminished microbial alpha diversity under As heterogeneity. The plant actively forages As by proliferating roots in As-rich patches and altering its root exudate profile. Key exudates, such as phosphocholine and N-acetyl histamine, recruit specific microbial taxa, such as class KD4-96, and order Vicinamibacteraceae, which upregulate As-transforming genes and enhance As mobilization. Rhizobacteria including Blastococcus and Streptomyces also produce auxin, stimulating root growth. Together, these responses form a self-reinforcing feedback loop—linking root foraging, microbial recruitment, As mobilization, and root elongation—that amplifies plant growth and arsenic uptake. Our work establishes a rhizosphere engineering strategy to leverage such plant–microbe feedbacks for improved phytoremediation. The arsenic hyperaccumulator Pteris vittata actively forages arsenic by root proliferation and exudate-mediated recruitment of specific microbes, restoring diminished rhizosphere microbial alpha-diversity under heterogeneous arsenic contamination.
Source: Communications Biology
Language: English
Subfield: Plant Science
Domain: Life Sciences
SDGs: Life on land, Zero hunger
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $4,190
Award: G8800952051
OpenAlex ID: W4416624714