Microbiome-mediated elite selection by a composite agent enhances peanut symbiosis and yield
The limited establishment of microbial inoculants within native soil communities severely constrains their agricultural efficacy. While composite inoculants show promise for enhancing crop productivity, the general mechanisms by which they influence the root-associated microbiome remain poorly defined. To address this gap, we hypothesized that such inoculants may function through a microbiome-mediated elite selection process. Using the inoculant named Aspergillus-Rhizobia Coupling (ARC) as a model system, this study aimed to elucidate whether and how such a mechanism modulates the rhizosphere microbiome to improve plant performance.