Variety-Independent Contributions of Phenylpropanoid Metabolism in Roots: Modulating the Rhizosphere Microbiome

Sun Litao; Shen Jiazhi; Shuning Zhang; Kai Fan; Qian Wenjun; Yu Wang; Yi Wang; Wei Li; Ding Zhaotang

doi:10.3390/horticulturae11091072

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Variety-Independent Contributions of Phenylpropanoid Metabolism in Roots: Modulating the Rhizosphere Microbiome

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Variety-Independent Contributions of Phenylpropanoid Metabolism in Roots: Modulating the Rhizosphere Microbiome

Sun Litao, Shen Jiazhi, Shuning Zhang, Kai Fan, Qian Wenjun, Yu Wang, Yi Wang, Wei Li and Ding Zhaotang

Horticulturae, Vol.11(9), 1072

2025

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae11091072

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Abstract

Aldehydes

Amino acids

Anthocyanins

Archives & records

Bacteria

Biosynthesis

Carbohydrate metabolism

Carbohydrates

Community structure

Flavonoids

Flowers & plants

Genes

Genomes

Genotypes

Leaves

Metabolism

Metabolites

Metabolomics

Metagenomics

Microbiomes

Microbiota

Microorganisms

Organic acids

Phenotypes

Rhizosphere

Sinapic acid

Taxonomy

Tea

Transcriptomes

Transcriptomics

The rhizosphere microbiome, a critical determinant of plant health and productivity, exhibits structure–activity relationships influenced by plant genotype. This study investigated how three tea varieties with distinct phenotypes—Zhongcha 108 (ZC, green leaves), Huangjinya (HJY, chlorophyll-deficient yellow leaves), and Zijuan (ZJ, anthocyanin-rich purple leaves)—modulate the rhizosphere microbiome by integrated metagenomic, transcriptomic, and metabolomic analysis. Results revealed significant differences in rhizosphere bacterial diversity and composition among varieties, driven by differential abundances of Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria. HJY and ZJ exhibited higher bacterial richness and diversity compared to ZC. Root transcriptome profiling identified phenylpropanoid biosynthesis as a central pathway, with differentially expressed genes involved in flavonoid and lignin biosynthesis. Metabolite profiling highlighted varietal differences in root and rhizosphere organic acids and phenylpropanoid derivatives (e.g., hydroxycinnamyl aldehydes, sinapic acid), strongly correlating with microbial community structure. Functional metagenomics indicated that the carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism pathways in rhizosphere bacteria were influenced by root metabolites, further establishing phenylpropanoid partitioning as a keystone driver for microbial niche differentiation. These findings demonstrate that tea varieties shape rhizosphere microbiomes via genotype-specific phenylpropanoid metabolism, offering insights into targeted manipulation of plant–microbe interactions for enhancing tea plant development and tea quality.

Details

Title: Variety-Independent Contributions of Phenylpropanoid Metabolism in Roots: Modulating the Rhizosphere Microbiome
Authors/Creators: Sun Litao
Shen Jiazhi
Shuning Zhang - Qingdao Agricultural University
Kai Fan
Qian Wenjun
Yu Wang - Zhejiang A & F University
Yi Wang - Qingdao Academy of Agricultural Sciences
Wei Li
Ding Zhaotang
Publication Details: Horticulturae, Vol.11(9), 1072
Publisher: MDPI AG
Number of pages: 20
Identifiers: 991005816850207891
Murdoch Affiliation: Murdoch University
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration; International collaboration
Citation topics: 3 Agriculture, Environment & Ecology; 3.97 Plant Pathology; 3.97.556 Microbial Biocontrol
Web Of Science research areas: Horticulture
ESI research areas: Agricultural Sciences