Summary
This experimental study demonstrates that microbial colonisation substantially rewires plant metabolic chemistry, affecting both the composition of root exudates released into soil and the internal metabolomes of roots and shoots. By characterising these bidirectional metabolic changes, the work contributes to understanding how soil microbiota influence plant physiology and nutrient cycling in terrestrial ecosystems. The findings illuminate the intricate metabolic dialogue between plants and their microbial associates.
Regional applicability
The fundamental insights into plant–microbe metabolic interactions are relevant to UK soil health and sustainable farming strategies, though as a controlled laboratory study on poplar, direct application to UK agricultural crops and field conditions would require further validation under variable soil and climatic contexts.
Key measures
Root exudate composition; root metabolome; shoot metabolome; microbial colonisation patterns
Outcomes reported
The study characterised changes in root exudate composition and metabolome profiles in poplar roots and shoots following microbial colonisation. Metabolic shifts were quantified across multiple compartments (root exudates, roots, and shoots) to elucidate plant–microbe metabolic interactions.
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