Mild to moderate water stress reinforces the role of functional microbiome in promoting growth of a dominant forage species (Neopallasia pectinata) in a desert steppe

This study underscores the potential of SynComs in facilitating forage plants to combat water stress. The results indicate that mild to moderate water stress stimulates SynComs to benefit the growth of N. pectinata plants, but there is a soil water threshold (21% WHC) for the microbial effect. This finding provides a new promising strategy for the ecological restoration and sustainable utilization of desert steppes by manipulating the functional microbiome of forage plants.