Engineered Soil Microbiomes May Secure Future Tomato Yields
Chinese Academy of SciencesTomatoes, like many crops, often face growth challenges under limited nitrogen and water conditions. A new study reveals that the diversity and complexity of rhizosphere bacterial communities play a crucial role in helping tomatoes absorb multiple essential nutrients under such stresses. Researchers introduced the concept of a Multinutrient Cycling Index (MNC) to quantify plant nutrient traits and found that higher microbial diversity and a robust core bacteriome significantly improved nutrient uptake. These findings suggest that manipulating rhizosphere microbiomes could be a sustainable strategy to enhance crop performance in fluctuating environments, supporting the development of resilient agricultural systems.