登上《科学》封面 中瑞科研团队联手揭晓根系微生物“安家”奥秘

Core Insights - The research conducted by the team from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the University of Lausanne reveals the mechanisms by which plant roots guide microorganisms to settle on their surfaces, creating a "settlement map" of root-associated microbes [1][3] Group 1: Research Findings - The study identifies that the settlement of microorganisms on root surfaces is not random but follows a systematic spatial distribution [3] - A critical structure called the Casparian strip acts as a "smart gate" that regulates the leakage of nutrients, particularly the amino acid glutamine, which attracts microorganisms through chemotaxis [3][4] - The research highlights the importance of the Casparian strip in maintaining a healthy balance of root-associated microbial communities by controlling nutrient leakage and preventing excessive proliferation of pathogenic microbes [4] Group 2: Practical Implications - The findings suggest the potential for designing amino acid-based microbial fertilizers to precisely guide beneficial microbial colonization, thereby enhancing crop nutrient absorption efficiency and resilience [5] Group 3: Collaborative Efforts - The research is a product of collaboration between Chinese and Swiss research teams, initiated during the postdoctoral research of the lead researcher at the University of Lausanne, which laid the groundwork for this significant discovery [8]