An indigenous simplified Sinorhizobium-Pseudomonas consortium reshapes root exudate-mediated interactions to enhance alfalfa productivity
This study constructed simplified synthetic microbial consortia consisting of indigenous Sinorhizobium and Pseudomonas strains to promote alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) growth. Multi-omics sequencing, including rhizosphere 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and alfalfa transcriptome sequencing, was applied to reveal how the optimal consortium NsPs remodels rhizosphere bacterial communities, regulates plant defense, signal transduction and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, and alters flavonoid and isoflavonoid root exudates to facilitate beneficial rhizosphere interactions. Pot experiments and two-year field trials verified that consortium NsPs significantly improves alfalfa nodulation, nutrient accumulation and forage yield. The deposited sequencing data support mechanistic research of simplified plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria consortia for sustainable alfalfa cultivation.