Rhizosphere microbes enhanced the gene abundance related to inorganic phosphate solubilization, phosphonate mineralization, inorganic phosphate transportation, and P-starvation response regulation, which is significant for soil phosphorus activation and alleviating soil phosphorus limitations.

This study used the quantitative microbial element cycling (QMEC) smart chip technology and 16S rRNA gene sequencing to investigate changes in the relative abundance of C-, N-, and P-cycle genes and rhizosphere soil bacterial community that received various inputs of P nutrients.

Rhizosphere serves as a hotspot for phosphatase exudation, which is instrumental in organic P mineralization and thereby facilitates enhanced P uptake by plants. However, further exploration is required to elucidate mechanisms of P transformation regulated by microorganisms in rhizosphere hotspots.

Phosphorus in soil exists in different chemical forms, either organic or inorganic (Pi). Besides the readily available P fraction that P fertilizers can significantly provide, activities of both roots and associated microorganisms also contribute to improve P availability in the rhizosphere soil.

Phosphorus (P) is the second most essential nutrient after nitrogen for plant growth and development. The available form of P is generally low even in fertile soils throughout the world due to high reactivity of soluble P with calcium, iron, or aluminum. Thus, major...