Effect of rhizosphere microbiome on soil nutrients and fruit metabolites of highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) under greenhouse vs. open field cultivation

This project investigates the impact of cultivation systems (greenhouse vs. open field) on the rhizosphere microbial community (bacteria and fungi), soil physicochemical properties, and fruit metabolite profiles of highbush blueberry. Rhizosphere soil samples were collected at six time points over one year from both cultivation systems. Bacterial 16S rRNA gene (V4 region) and fungal ITS2 region were sequenced using Illumina HiSeq 2500 (2 x 250 bp). Soil nutrients (e.g., organic carbon, available cations) and fruit quality parameters (sugars, organic acids, anthocyanins, flavonoids) were measured. The study aims to understand how cultivation environment shapes the rhizosphere microbiota and its association with fruit primary and secondary metabolism.