Published in Scientific Papers. Series A. Agronomy, Vol. LXVIII, Issue 2
Written by Andrei-Mihai GAFENCU, Andreea-Mihaela FLOREA, Florin-Daniel LIPȘA, Eugen ULEA
Global changes, driven by climate change and the growing human population, have necessitated the development of innovative solutions to maintain agricultural productivity and quality. This has often led to the adoption of intensive agricultural practices, which significantly alter soil properties, including its physical, chemical, and biological characteristics. Soil microbiota are key mediators of essential soil processes, climate regulation, and plant health, influencing nutrient cycling, organic matter decomposition, and overall soil fertility. Plant roots serve as the primary source of nutrients for soil microbiota, releasing organic exudates into the soil. These exudates create a dynamic rhizosphere environment that attracts microorganisms, which, in turn, contribute to plant health by providing nutrients, releasing hormones, and neutralizing toxins. This study aimed to analyse the rhizosphere microbiome associated with three winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars Glosa, PG102, and Miranda. Soil samples were collected during different growth stages to assess the composition and variation of bacterial and fungal communities. Microbiological analyses revealed temporal and cultivar-dependent shifts in microbial abundance. The total number of bacteria was highest in autumn, decreased during winter, and increased again towards the flowering stage. Gram-positive bacteria followed a similar trend, with minor cultivar-specific deviations. Fungal community composition also varied over time. These results suggest that microbial communities are influenced by both environmental conditions and wheat genotype, highlighting the potential role of cultivar selection in shaping rhizosphere microbiota.
[Read full article] [Citation]
