Metagenomic analysis of the watermelon rhizosphere microbiome under healthy and Fusarium wilt disease conditions

This project characterizes the rhizosphere microbial communities of watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) to investigate the ecological impact of Fusarium wilt. Rhizosphere soil samples were collected from healthy watermelon plants and those infected with Fusarium oxysporum. High-throughput sequencing was employed to profile the taxonomic composition and functional potential of the soil microbiome. The goal is to identify microbial biomarkers and functional pathways associated with disease occurrence and soil health.