【科技日报】植物根系引导微生物“安家”奥秘揭示

Core Insights - The research conducted by a 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][2] - This study provides new targets for the development of microbial fertilizers and offers theoretical and technical pathways for the advancement of carbon-sequestering green agriculture [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 on root surfaces follows a systematic spatial distribution [1] - The integrity of a specific barrier within the root, known as the Casparian strip, is crucial for maintaining this microbial balance, as it prevents the leakage of nutrients and harmful substances from the root [1][2] - When the Casparian strip has gaps, it leads to nutrient leakage, which correlates with an increase in microbial settlement, indicating that the size of the gap directly affects microbial population density [1] Group 2: Mechanisms of Microbial Attraction - The primary component of the leaked substances is amino acids, with glutamine being the most abundant, which significantly influences microbial behavior such as chemotaxis and settlement [2] - The emergence of lateral roots causes gaps in the Casparian strip, resulting in localized glutamine leakage that acts as a signal to attract microorganisms to specific areas of the root [2] - This research not only uncovers the intricate mechanisms by which plants regulate the spatial distribution of root-associated microbes through localized amino acid release but also presents new perspectives for sustainable agricultural development [2]