Rhizosphere functional microbiomes drive N availability to wheat

Rhizosphere and root associated microorganisms regulate the cycling and availability of key macro (N, P and S) and micronutrients to plants. Capturing N benefits from improved plantmicrobe interactions would be a more sustainable option for improved yield, and efficiency in the use of N and water.

Successful exploitation of this approach requires selection of germplasm that more readily associate with beneficial microbiomes. We present findings on the abundances of N-cycling functional genes in roots and rhizosphere of agronomically adapted wheat varieties varying in root growth, and N uptake efficiency.