Characterization of the Root Microbiome in Rice Under Different Nitrogen Regimes

Abstract

The influence of nitrogen fertilization on rice root microbiomes was studied using 16S rRNA sequencing. Samples were collected from three nitrogen levels (0, 60, and 120 kg N/ha) in a paddy field trial. Microbial diversity and community composition were significantly affected by nitrogen inputs.
Low nitrogen favored nitrogen-fixing and phosphorus-solubilizing bacteria, while high nitrogen reduced microbial richness and favored denitrifiers. Functional predictions indicated shifts in nutrient cycling pathways. This work highlights the importance of fertilization strategies in shaping rhizosphere microbiomes and their ecological functions.