Learning from Seed Microbes: Trichoderma Coating Intervenes in Rhizosphere Microbiome Assembly.

Seed-associated microbiomes can impact the later colonization of a plant rhizosphere microbiome. However, there remains little insight into the underlying mechanisms concerning how alterations in the composition of the seed microbiome may intervene in the assembly of a rhizosphere microbiome. In this study, the fungus Trichoderma guizhouense NJAU4742 was introduced to both maize and watermelon seed microbiomes by seed coating. Application was found to significantly promote seed germination and improve plant growth and rhizosphere soil quality. The activities of acid phosphatase, cellulase, peroxidase, sucrase, and α-glucosidase increased significantly in two crops. The introduction of NJAU4742 also led to a decrease in the occurrence of disease. Coating with . NJAU4742 did not alter the alpha diversities of the bacterial and fungal communities but formed a key network module that contained both and . This key network module comprised of these potentially beneficial microorganisms was positively linked with the belowground biomass and activities of rhizosphere soil enzymes but negatively correlated with disease incidence. Overall, this study provides insights into plant growth promotion and plant health maintenance via seed coating in order to influence the rhizosphere microbiome. Seed-associated microbiomes can impact the rhizosphere microbiome assembly and function display. However, there remains little insight into the underlying mechanisms concerning how alterations in the composition of the seed microbiome with the beneficial microbes may intervene in the assembly of a rhizosphere microbiome. Here, we introduced . NJAU4742 to the seed microbiome by seed coating. This introduction led to a decrease in the occurrence of disease and an increase in plant growth; furthermore, it formed a key network module that contained both and . Our study provides insights into plant growth promotion and plant health maintenance via seed coating in order to influence the rhizosphere microbiome.