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Title: The interconnected rhizosphere: High network complexity dominates rhizosphere assemblages

Journal Article · · Ecology Letters
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1111/ele.12630· OSTI ID:1467800
 [1]; ORCiD logo [2];  [3];  [3];  [4];  [5]
  1. Univ. of California, Berkeley, CA (United States). Dept. of Environmental Science, Policy and Management; Univ. of Oklahoma, Norman, OK (United States). Dept. of Botony and Microbiology and Inst. of Environmental Genomics
  2. Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States). Nuclear and Chemical Sciences Division; Univ. of California, Berkeley, CA (United States). Dept. of Environmental Science, Policy and Management
  3. Univ. of Oklahoma, Norman, OK (United States). Dept. of Botony and Microbiology and Inst. of Environmental Genomics
  4. Univ. of Oklahoma, Norman, OK (United States). Dept. of Botony and Microbiology and Inst. of Environmental Genomics; Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States). Earth Sciences Division; Tsinghua Univ., Beijing (China). State Key Joint Lab. of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control and School of Environment
  5. Univ. of California, Berkeley, CA (United States). Dept. of Environmental Science, Policy and Management; Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States). Earth Sciences Division

While interactions between roots and microorganisms have been intensively studied, we know little about interactions among root-associated microbes. We used random matrix theory-based network analysis of 16S rRNA genes to identify bacterial networks associated with wild oat (Avena fatua) over two seasons in greenhouse microcosms. Rhizosphere networks were substantially more complex than those in surrounding soils, indicating the rhizosphere has a greater potential for interactions and niche-sharing. Network complexity increased as plants grew, even as diversity decreased, highlighting that community organisation is not captured by univariate diversity. Covariations were predominantly positive (> 80%), suggesting that extensive mutualistic interactions may occur among rhizosphere bacteria; we identified quorum-based signalling as one potential strategy. Putative keystone taxa often had low relative abundances, suggesting low-abundance taxa may significantly contribute to rhizosphere function. Network complexity, a previously undescribed property of the rhizosphere microbiome, appears to be a defining characteristic of this habitat.

Research Organization:
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States); Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Science (SC), Biological and Environmental Research (BER)
Grant/Contract Number:
AC52-07NA27344; AC02-05CH11231; SC0004730; SC0010570; SCW1421; 00008322
OSTI ID:
1467800
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 1401210; OSTI ID: 1474903
Report Number(s):
LLNL-JRNL-679806; 803848
Journal Information:
Ecology Letters, Vol. 19, Issue 8; ISSN 1461-023X
Publisher:
WileyCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Citation Metrics:
Cited by: 624 works
Citation information provided by
Web of Science

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