Microbial community composition in the rhizosphere of Pteris vittata and its effects on arsenic phytoremediation under a natural contamination gradient
Arsenic contamination causes numerous health problems for humans and wildlife via bioaccumulation in the food chain. Phytoremediation of arsenic-contaminated soils with the model arsenic hyperaccumulator Pteris vittata provides a promising way to reduce the risk, in which the growth and arsenic absorption ability of plants may be greatly affected by rhizosphere microorganisms. However, the microbial community composition in the rhizosphere of Pteris vittata and its functional role in arsenic phytoremediation are still poorly understood. To bridge this knowledge gap, we carried out a field investigation and pot experiment to explore the composition and functional implications of microbial communities in the rhizosphere of four P. vittata populations with a natural arsenic contamination gradient.