The plant rhizosheath-root niche is an edaphic "mini-oasis" in hyperarid deserts with enhanced microbial competition

Simple item page
dc.contributor.authorMarasco, Ramona
dc.contributor.authorFusi, Marco
dc.contributor.authorRamond, Jean-Baptiste
dc.contributor.authorVan Goethem, Marc W.
dc.contributor.authorSeferji, Kholoud
dc.contributor.authorMaggs-Koelling, Gillian
dc.contributor.authorCowan, Don A.
dc.contributor.authorDaffonchio, Daniele
dc.date.accessioned2025-01-20T21:07:10Z
dc.date.available2025-01-20T21:07:10Z
dc.date.issued2022
dc.description.abstractPlants have evolved unique morphological and developmental adaptations to cope with the abiotic stresses imposed by (hyper)arid environments. Such adaptations include the formation of rhizosheath-root system in which mutualistic plant-soil microbiome associations are established: the plant provides a nutrient-rich and shielded environment to microorganisms, which in return improve plant-fitness through plant growth promoting services. We hypothesized that the rhizosheath-root systems represent refuge niches and resource islands for the desert edaphic microbial communities. As a corollary, we posited that microorganisms compete intensively to colonize such "oasis" and only those beneficial microorganisms improving host fitness are preferentially selected by plant. Our results show that the belowground rhizosheath-root micro-environment is largely more hospitable than the surrounding gravel plain soil with higher nutrient and humidity contents, and cooler temperatures. By combining metabarcoding and shotgun metagenomics, we demonstrated that edaphic microbial biomass and community stability increased from the non-vegetated soils to the rhizosheath-root system. Concomitantly, non-vegetated soil communities favored autotrophy lifestyle while those associated with the plant niches were mainly heterotrophs and enriched in microbial plant growth promoting capacities. An intense inter-taxon microbial competition is involved in the colonization and homeostasis of the rhizosheath zone, as documented by significant enrichment of antibiotic resistance genes and CRISPR-Cas motifs. Altogether, our results demonstrate that rhizosheath-root systems are "edaphic mini-oases" and microbial diversity hotspots in hyperarid deserts. However, to colonize such refuge niches, the desert soil microorganisms compete intensively and are therefore prepared to outcompete potential rivals.
dc.description.funderSouth African National Research Foundation
dc.fuente.origenWOS
dc.identifier.doi10.1038/s43705-022-00130-7
dc.identifier.eissn2730-6151
dc.identifier.urihttps://doi.org/10.1038/s43705-022-00130-7
dc.identifier.urihttps://repositorio.uc.cl/handle/11534/93397
dc.identifier.wosidWOS:001105611800001
dc.issue.numero1
dc.language.isoen
dc.revistaIsme communications
dc.rightsacceso restringido
dc.subject.ods02 Zero Hunger
dc.subject.odspa02 Hambre cero
dc.titleThe plant rhizosheath-root niche is an edaphic "mini-oasis" in hyperarid deserts with enhanced microbial competition
dc.typeartículo
dc.volumen2
sipa.indexWOS
sipa.trazabilidadWOS;2025-01-12
Files
Collections
Artículos de revistas