Metagenomic Characterization of the <i>Maerua crassifolia</i> Soil Rhizosphere: Uncovering Microbial Networks for Nutrient Acquisition and Plant Resilience in Arid Ecosystems.

ABSTRACT: Background/Objectives:Maerua crassifolia, a threatened medicinal species endemic to drylands, exhibits a pronounced drought sensitivity. Despite the critical role of microorganisms, particularly bacteria and fungi, the microbial consortia in M. crassifolia's rhizosphere remain underexplored. Methods: Metagenomic whole genome shotgun sequencing (WGS) was employed to elucidate the taxonomic composition of bacterial and fungal communities inhabiting the soil rhizosphere of M. crassifolia. Results: The data revealed a marked predominance of bacterial genomes relative to fungal communities, as evidenced by non-redundant gene analysis. Notably, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), specifically Rhizophagus clarus, Rhizophagus irregularis and

SUBMITTER: Alharbi SM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11942469 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature