Fertilization influences the substrate, rhizosphere, and endosphere bacteriome of <i>Petunia × hybrida</i>.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

In controlled environment agriculture (CEA), soil is replaced with soilless substrates that have poorly understood microbiome dynamics. We investigated the rhizosphere and endosphere bacteriome of Petunia × hybrida 'Picobella Blue' (Picobella) and 'Wave Purple' (Wave) grown in a soilless substrate (80% sphagnum peat and 20% perlite) under three fertilization rates (25, 100, and 200 mg·L^-1 N).

Methods

Plant growth was assessed with the TraitFinder phenotyping platform, shoot dry weight, and nutrient analysis. Bacteriomes were profiled by 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing from unplanted substrate, bulk substrate, rhizosphere, and endosphere samples.

Results

Both cultivars grew largest and healthiest at 200 mg·L^-1 N. Picobella

SUBMITTER: Quijia-Pillajo J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12714982 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature