Rhizosphere microorganisms can influence the timing of plant flowering.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Plant phenology has crucial biological, physical, and chemical effects on the biosphere. Phenological drivers have largely been studied, but the role of plant microbiota, particularly rhizosphere microbiota, has not been considered.

Results

We discovered that rhizosphere microbial communities could modulate the timing of flowering of Arabidopsis thaliana. Rhizosphere microorganisms that increased and prolonged N bioavailability by nitrification delayed flowering by converting tryptophan to the phytohormone indole acetic acid (IAA), thus downregulating genes that trigger flowering, and stimulating further plant growth. The addition of IAA to hydroponic cultures confirmed this metabolic network.

Conclusions

We document a novel metabolic network in which soil

SUBMITTER: Lu T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6307273 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature