Effects of single and synthetic microbial community inoculants on the rhizosphere soil and root microbiomes of rice (Oryza sativa).

Single and synthetic microbial inoculants significantly alter β-diversity but not α-diversity in rice rhizosphere and root microbiomes, with distinct taxonomic enrichments.

• Why it matters: Understanding how different inoculation strategies influence rice microbiomes is crucial for optimizing plant growth and soil health, addressing gaps in microbiome management practices.
• What they did: The study used high-throughput sequencing to compare the effects of a single-strain inoculant and a synthetic microbial community on microbial diversity, community composition, and functional predictions in rice.
• The result: Both inoculants promoted specific microbial taxa and functions linked to plant growth, with positive associations observed between enriched microbes and rice shoot height and biomass, enabling targeted microbiome-based crop improvement.