Plant Growth Impacts Root Microbes in Wild and Farmed Millet

Jenn Hoskins
3rd May, 2025

Plant Growth Impacts Root Microbes in Wild and Farmed Millet

Finger Millet (Eleusine coracana)

Photo adapted from: Karthik Thrikkadeeri / CC BY (Source)

Key Findings

  • *Swedish researchers studied finger millet and its varieties to understand root-associated microbes.*
  • *They found that plant growth stages and domestication significantly alter the beneficial and harmful microbes around roots.*
  • *Domesticated millet varieties host different, less diverse microbes, which can impact crop health and resilience.*
Understanding how plants interact with the microorganisms around their roots is essential for improving crop health and productivity. A recent study conducted by researchers at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences[1] explored the complex relationships between wild-type finger millet and five domesticated cultivars, focusing on the microbial communities in different parts of the plant and at various growth stages. Plants live in close association with a vast array of microbes in the soil, known as the microbiome. These microbes can be beneficial, helping plants absorb nutrients and defend against diseases, or harmful, causing infections and reducing plant growth[2]. The study aimed to uncover how factors like the plant’s development stage, domestication, and specific root areas influence these microbial communities. The researchers examined both the rhizosphere, which is the soil region directly influenced by root secretions, and the endosphere, the internal part of the plant roots. By analyzing samples from wild and domesticated finger millet at two different developmental stages, they identified significant patterns in how microbial communities are assembled and maintained. One of the key findings was that the stage of plant development and the process of domestication play crucial roles in shaping the microbiome. Domesticated cultivars, which have been selectively bred for specific traits, showed different microbial communities compared to wild types. This suggests that human selection has not only altered the plant’s physical characteristics but also its interactions with beneficial and harmful microbes[3]. Interestingly, only about 8% of the core microbiota was consistently shared between the soil and the plants. This means that 92% of the microbial community changed dynamically based on the plant type and its growth stage. The dominant bacterial groups identified were Pseudomonadota, Actinomycedota, and Bacteroidota, while the main fungal groups were Ascomycota and Basidiomycota. These findings align with previous research showing that certain bacteria and fungi are commonly associated with plant roots and play specific roles in plant health[3]. The study also found that the composition of the microbial community varied significantly between different root compartments and developmental stages. For example, during the flowering stage, there was a notable increase in the genus Pseudomonas in the rhizosphere. Pseudomonas species are known for their ability to promote plant growth and suppress pathogens, which could be particularly important during the critical flowering period when plants are more vulnerable[2][3]. Furthermore, the researchers observed that an increase in Actinomycedota within the endosphere was associated with a decrease in Pseudomonadota. This inverse relationship suggests a complex balancing act between different microbial groups, where the presence of one type of microbe can influence the abundance of another. Such interactions are essential for maintaining a healthy and functional plant microbiome[4]. The study also highlighted the selective recruitment of specific microbial taxa by plants. Different plant cultivars secrete various root exudates—substances released by roots—that can either support beneficial microbes or deter pathogens. This selective process helps plants tailor their microbiome to better meet their nutritional and defensive needs, enhancing overall growth and resilience[2]. By using advanced genetic sequencing techniques, the researchers were able to accurately profile the microbial communities and determine how they shift in response to different factors. This methodological approach allowed for a detailed understanding of the intricate relationships between plants and their associated microbes. The implications of this study are significant for sustainable agriculture. By understanding how plants naturally shape their microbiomes, scientists and farmers can develop strategies to harness beneficial microbes, reducing the need for chemical fertilizers and pesticides. For instance, introducing specific beneficial microbes identified in this study could enhance nutrient uptake and improve plant resistance to diseases, leading to more robust and productive crops[2][3]. Additionally, the research provides insights into how domestication has altered plant-microbe interactions. As modern agriculture continues to rely on a limited number of highly bred cultivars, maintaining a diverse and beneficial microbiome becomes increasingly important for crop health and sustainability. This study underscores the need to consider microbial communities in breeding programs to ensure that new cultivars can effectively interact with their microbiomes[3]. In summary, the study from the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences demonstrates that both the developmental stage of the plant and the process of domestication significantly influence the structure and function of root-associated microbiomes. By selectively recruiting specific microbial taxa, plants actively shape their microbial communities to enhance growth and resilience. These findings pave the way for innovative agricultural practices that leverage natural plant-microbe interactions to achieve sustainable and productive farming.

AgricultureEcologyPlant Science

References

Main Study

1) Plant development influences dynamic shifts in the root compartment microbiomes of wild and domesticated finger millet cultivars

Published 30th April, 2025

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12866-025-03976-8

Related Studies

2) Modulation of the Root Microbiome by Plant Molecules: The Basis for Targeted Disease Suppression and Plant Growth Promotion.

https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2019.01741

3) Finger Millet (Eleusine coracana) Plant-Endophyte Dynamics: Plant Growth, Nutrient Uptake, and Zinc Biofortification.

https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11040973

4) Ecology and Genomic Insights into Plant-Pathogenic and Plant-Nonpathogenic Endophytes.

https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-phyto-080516-035641


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