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Aims <p>Determining the factors underlying rarity is essential for developing successful reintroduction programs with rare plant species. However, the influence of soil microbes on rare plant performance remains underexplored. In this study, we examined how changes in soil microbial communities affected performance of <i>Astragalus bibullatus,</i> a federally endangered (US) herbaceous legume, in a dual-phase plant-soil feedback study.</p> Methods <p>We used DNA metabarcoding to assess soil microbial communities following an experiment in which A. bibullatus was grown in (1) soils from historically present (HP) and historically absent (HA) sites, and (2) HP and HA soils trained by conspecifics, a co-occurring native congener (A. tennesseensis) and perennial grass (Schizacharium scoparium). Growth experiments demonstrated that A. bibullatus exhibited the greatest growth and nodule production in soils from HP sites and trained by conspecifics and A. tennesseensis.</p> Results <p>DNA metabarcoding results of phase one showed that HP soils contained a greater abundance of putative mutualists (arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi). In phase two, the nodules of <i>A. bibullatus</i> contained a greater abundance of Alphaproteobacteria when grown in HP soils trained by conspecifics. Additionally, we found that <i>A.bibullatus</i> roots had a higher abundance of AMF fungi when grown in HP soils conditioned by conspecifics, but higher <i>Fusarium</i> pathogens in roots conditioned with HA soils, regardless of plant conditioning. We identified nine <i>Rhizobia</i> taxa unique to HP soils, whereas <i>Fusarium</i> sp. represented the only unique microbial taxon in HA soils.</p> Conclusions <p>Our results indicate a potentially strong influence of soil microbes on the performance and rarity of <i>A. bibullatus</i>. Understanding the interactions between soil microbes and rare plant species is paramount for developing successful reintroduction programs.</p>

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Soil microbial communities contribute to plant-soil feedback in an endangered legume

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年6月6日

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  • Rachel A. Brant,
  • Rachel E. Becknell,
  • Matthew A. Albrecht,
  • Scott A. Mangan,
  • Kelli Showalter,
  • Burgund Bassüner,
  • Christine E. Edwards

摘要

Aims

Determining the factors underlying rarity is essential for developing successful reintroduction programs with rare plant species. However, the influence of soil microbes on rare plant performance remains underexplored. In this study, we examined how changes in soil microbial communities affected performance of Astragalus bibullatus, a federally endangered (US) herbaceous legume, in a dual-phase plant-soil feedback study.

Methods

We used DNA metabarcoding to assess soil microbial communities following an experiment in which A. bibullatus was grown in (1) soils from historically present (HP) and historically absent (HA) sites, and (2) HP and HA soils trained by conspecifics, a co-occurring native congener (A. tennesseensis) and perennial grass (Schizacharium scoparium). Growth experiments demonstrated that A. bibullatus exhibited the greatest growth and nodule production in soils from HP sites and trained by conspecifics and A. tennesseensis.

Results

DNA metabarcoding results of phase one showed that HP soils contained a greater abundance of putative mutualists (arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi). In phase two, the nodules of A. bibullatus contained a greater abundance of Alphaproteobacteria when grown in HP soils trained by conspecifics. Additionally, we found that A.bibullatus roots had a higher abundance of AMF fungi when grown in HP soils conditioned by conspecifics, but higher Fusarium pathogens in roots conditioned with HA soils, regardless of plant conditioning. We identified nine Rhizobia taxa unique to HP soils, whereas Fusarium sp. represented the only unique microbial taxon in HA soils.

Conclusions

Our results indicate a potentially strong influence of soil microbes on the performance and rarity of A. bibullatus. Understanding the interactions between soil microbes and rare plant species is paramount for developing successful reintroduction programs.