Plant physiological control of root microbiome assembly and feedback under environmental stress
4 affiliations
- 1Hainan Free Trade Port Biopharmaceutical Industry Chain and Supply Chain Digitalization Research Base, Hainan Vocational University of Science and Technology
- 2Institute of Environment and Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences
- 3Institute of Agricultural Environment and Soil, Hainan Academy of Agricultural Sciences
- 4Center for Water and Ecology, State Key Laboratory of Regional Environment and Sustainability, School of Environment, Tsinghua University
Abstract
Root-associated microbiomes contribute to plant nutrition, defense and stress tolerance, but their variable responses across hosts and environments limit the predictability of microbiome-based interventions. This review examines plant physiological regulation of root microbiome assembly and feedback under environmental stress. Evidence from plant and microbial genetics, defined-metabolite assays, synthetic communities and physiological analyses links changes in carbon allocation, nutrient status, hydraulics, redox balance and hormone–immune signaling to root-derived outputs and microbial responses. These outputs influence microbial sensing and resource use, while host immune and metabolic conditions help regulate colonization and persistence. Flavonoid–NodD signaling, strigolactone-induced mycorrhizal fungal responses and coumarin-mediated selection illustrate comparatively well-resolved transitions; the roles of stress-associated purines, nucleotides and compatible solutes remain more context dependent. However, microbial enrichment and metabolite associations alone do not establish plant-controlled recruitment or benefit. Stronger evidence connects plant regulation, microbial response mechanisms and physiological outcomes through causal perturbations. Microbial activity can modify host physiology, although evidence that the altered host state subsequently redirects community assembly remains limited. We integrate these illustrative findings into a framework linking physiological regulation, root outputs, microbial responses, establishment and feedback. This synthesis identifies testable connections for improving microbiome interventions under stress. Translation requires attention to plant carbon and immune costs, competition within resident communities, and validation across host genotypes and environments.
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BibTeX
@article{ge2026plant,
title = {{Plant physiological control of root microbiome assembly and feedback under environmental stress}},
author = {Meihong Ge and Qingmian Chen and Yonglian Wang and Yunxiao Han and Faqin Lian and Shuailing Hou and Xiating Chen and Jiajing Liu and Changbo Zhong and Qiaoyan Zhang and Xuefeng Xu},
journal = {Frontiers in Microbiology},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/fmicb.2026.1974097},
url = {https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2026.1974097/full},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Plant physiological control of root microbiome assembly and feedback under environmental stress
AU - Meihong Ge
AU - Qingmian Chen
AU - Yonglian Wang
AU - Yunxiao Han
AU - Faqin Lian
AU - Shuailing Hou
AU - Xiating Chen
AU - Jiajing Liu
AU - Changbo Zhong
AU - Qiaoyan Zhang
AU - Xuefeng Xu
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/21
JO - Frontiers in Microbiology
DO - 10.3389/fmicb.2026.1974097
UR - https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2026.1974097/full
AB - Root-associated microbiomes contribute to plant nutrition, defense and stress tolerance, but their variable responses across hosts and environments limit the predictability of microbiome-based interventions. This review examines plant physiological regulation of root microbiome assembly and feedback under environmental stress. Evidence from plant and microbial genetics, defined-metabolite assays, synthetic communities and physiological analyses links changes in carbon allocation, nutrient status, hydraulics, redox balance and hormone–immune signaling to root-derived outputs and microbial responses. These outputs influence microbial sensing and resource use, while host immune and metabolic conditions help regulate colonization and persistence. Flavonoid–NodD signaling, strigolactone-induced mycorrhizal fungal responses and coumarin-mediated selection illustrate comparatively well-resolved transitions; the roles of stress-associated purines, nucleotides and compatible solutes remain more context dependent. However, microbial enrichment and metabolite associations alone do not establish plant-controlled recruitment or benefit. Stronger evidence connects plant regulation, microbial response mechanisms and physiological outcomes through causal perturbations. Microbial activity can modify host physiology, although evidence that the altered host state subsequently redirects community assembly remains limited. We integrate these illustrative findings into a framework linking physiological regulation, root outputs, microbial responses, establishment and feedback. This synthesis identifies testable connections for improving microbiome interventions under stress. Translation requires attention to plant carbon and immune costs, competition within resident communities, and validation across host genotypes and environments.
SN - 1664-302X
ER -