微生物如何在植物根系“安家”？中外科学家绘制“定居地图”

Core Insights - The research conducted by the team led by Zhou Feng at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, in collaboration with the University of Lausanne, has revealed how plant roots guide microorganisms to settle on their surfaces, creating a "settlement map" of root-associated microbes [1] Group 1: Research Findings - The study utilized plant seedling root systems as a model, employing fluorescently labeled live microorganisms and high-resolution imaging techniques to demonstrate that microbial settlement is not random but follows a systematic spatial distribution [6] - The integrity of a specific barrier within the root, known as the Casparian strip, is crucial for maintaining the health balance of root-associated microbial communities [6] - When the Casparian strip has "gaps," it leads to nutrient leakage from the root, with larger gaps resulting in increased microbial colonization [6] Group 2: Microbial Behavior - Microorganisms exhibit a strong chemotactic response to beneficial nutrients, particularly amino acids, with glutamine being the most abundant leaked component [8] - The emergence of lateral roots can create gaps in the Casparian strip, causing localized glutamine leakage that acts as a signal to attract microorganisms [8] - The research highlights that if microorganisms lose their ability to sense amino acids, they will struggle to locate their "settlement points," emphasizing the importance of chemical signaling in microbial distribution [8] Group 3: Implications for Agriculture - This study provides new insights into the precise mechanisms by which plants regulate the spatial distribution of microorganisms, offering innovative approaches for sustainable agricultural development [8] - Future applications may include designing amino acid-based microbial fertilizers to precisely guide beneficial microbial colonization, enhancing nutrient absorption efficiency and resilience in crops [8]