Rhizobacteria’s Effects on the Growth and Competitiveness of Solidago canadensis Under Nutrient Limitation

Zhi-Yun Huang, Ying Li, Hu-Anhe Xiong, Misbah Naz, Meng-Ting Yan, Rui-Ke Zhang, Jun-Zhen Liu, Xi-Tong Ren, Guang-Qian Ren, Zhi-Cong Dai () and Dao-Lin Du ()
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Zhi-Yun Huang: Institute of Environment and Ecology, School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
Ying Li: Institute of Environment and Ecology, School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
Hu-Anhe Xiong: Institute of Environment and Ecology, School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
Misbah Naz: Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China
Meng-Ting Yan: Institute of Environment and Ecology, School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
Rui-Ke Zhang: Institute of Environment and Ecology, School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
Jun-Zhen Liu: Institute of Environment and Ecology, School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
Xi-Tong Ren: Institute of Environment and Ecology, School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
Guang-Qian Ren: Institute of Environment and Ecology, School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
Zhi-Cong Dai: Institute of Environment and Ecology, School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
Dao-Lin Du: Jingjiang College, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China

Agriculture, 2025, vol. 15, issue 15, 1-14

Abstract: The role of rhizosphere bacteria in facilitating plant invasion is increasingly acknowledged, yet the influence of specific microbial functional traits remains insufficiently understood. This study addresses this gap by isolating two bacterial strains, Bacillus sp. ScRB44 and Pseudomonas sp. ScRB22, from the rhizosphere of the invasive weed Solidago canadensis . We assessed their nitrogen utilization capacity and indoleacetic acid (IAA) production capabilities to evaluate their ecological functions. Our three-stage experimental design encompassed strain promotion, nutrient stress, and competition phases. Bacillus sp. ScRB44 demonstrated robust IAA production and significantly improved the nitrogen utilization efficiency, significantly enhancing S. canadensis growth, especially under nutrient-poor conditions, and promoting a shift in biomass allocation toward the roots, thereby conferring a competitive advantage over native species. Conversely, Pseudomonas sp. ScRB22 exhibited limited functional activity and a negligible impact on plant performance. These findings underscore that the ecological impact of rhizosphere bacteria on invasive weeds is closely linked to their specific growth-promoting functions. By enhancing stress adaptation and optimizing resource allocation, certain microorganisms may facilitate the establishment of invasive weeds in adverse environments. This study highlights the significance of microbial functional traits in invasion ecology and suggests novel approaches for microbiome-based invasive weed management, with potential applications in agricultural soil health improvement and ecological restoration.

Keywords: microbial functional traits; competitive advantage; plant growth promotion; plant–microbe interactions; nitrogen use efficiency (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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