Characterizing the Rhizosphere Microbiome of Flue-Cured Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum): Implications for Soil Health and Sustainable Cultivation

This project investigates the composition, diversity, and functional potential of microbial communities inhabiting the rhizosphere of flue-cured tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum), a critical global cash crop. Root-associated microbes significantly influence plant health, nutrient acquisition, stress tolerance, and susceptibility to disease, ultimately impacting yield and leaf quality.We collected rhizosphere soil samples from major tobacco-growing regions across China, capturing diverse soil types, climatic conditions, and agronomic practices. Samples were meticulously processed to isolate microbial DNA, followed by high-throughput amplicon sequencing (targeting 16S rRNA for bacteria/archaea and ITS for fungi) to profile community structure. Complementary metagenomic/metatranscriptomic analyses will explore functional gene expression related to nutrient cycling (e.g., nitrogen fixation, phosphorus solubilization), pathogen suppression, and plant-microbe interactions.