Structural and functional differentiation of the root-associated bacterial microbiomes of perennial ryegrass

Below‐ground connections underlying above‐ground food production: a framework for optimising ecological connections in the rhizosphere

“…), as well as in specialist decomposers and plant growth‐promoting bacteria, compared to the bulk soil (Hargreaves, Williams & Hofmockel ; Chen et al . ). Soil animal communities generally have higher biomass and abundance in the rhizosphere, and similar to bacterial communities, the rhizosphere is enriched in species that are able to rapidly use root‐derived C (Fujii, Saitoh & Takeda ; Scharroba et al .…”

“…Recent evidence also shows that bacterial alpha‐diversity tends to be lower in the rhizosphere (Hargreaves, Williams & Hofmockel ; Chen et al . ). And while alpha‐diversity is often proposed as an indicator of robust, healthy soil communities, there is little experimental evidence to support this notion.…”

“…As a result of these interactions, the rhizosphere and bulk soil host contrasting microbial and faunal communities. The rhizosphere is typically enriched in bacterial taxa that can be classified as copiotrophic, such as Alphaproteobacteria, Betaproteobacteria and Bacteroidetes Uksa et al 2015), as well as in specialist decomposers and plant growth-promoting bacteria, compared to the bulk soil (Hargreaves, Williams & Hofmockel 2015;Chen et al 2016). Soil animal communities generally have higher biomass and abundance in the rhizosphere, and similar to bacterial communities, the rhizosphere is enriched in species that are able to rapidly use root-derived C (Fujii, Saitoh & Takeda 2014;Scharroba et al 2016).…”

“…The wheat rhizosphere was strongly enriched in the bacterial-feeding nematode Acrobeloides, while the pea rhizosphere was highly enriched in fungi. Recent evidence also shows that bacterial alpha-diversity tends to be lower in the rhizosphere (Hargreaves, Williams & Hofmockel 2015;Chen et al 2016). And while alpha-diversity is often proposed as an indicator of robust, healthy soil communities, there is little experimental evidence to support this notion.…”

Apportioning bacterial carbon source utilization in soil using 14C isotope analysis of FISH‐targeted bacterial populations sorted by fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS): 14C‐FISH‐FACS

“…The population specific microbial use of C in the rhizosphere has particular significance for global biogeochemical cycles given the magnitude of the rhizodeposition C flux, its role in priming the decomposition of existing soil organic matter and in driving heterotrophic pathways responsible for the cycling and dissimilation of other elements. We know that through rhizodeposition, plants shape their microbiome with dynamic C availabilities selecting for fast-growing, competitive genotypes (Lundberg et al, 2012;Peiffer et al, 2013;Chen et al, 2016). This selection has functional consequences additional to those related to nutrient cycling in terms of the recruitment of microorganisms that are beneficial or deleterious to plant health (Berendsen et al, 2012).…”