Invasive Plant <i>Alternanthera philoxeroides</i> Benefits More Competition Advantage from Rhizosphere Bacteria Regardless of the Host Source
Xu Li,
Yi Zhang,
Fang-Li Kong,
Misbah Naz,
Jian-Yu Zhou,
Shan-Shan Qi,
Zhi-Cong Dai,
Dao-Lin Du
Affiliations
Xu Li
School of Emergency Management, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
Yi Zhang
Institute of Environment and Ecology, School of the Environmental and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
Fang-Li Kong
Institute of Environment and Ecology, School of the Environmental and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
Misbah Naz
Institute of Environment and Ecology, School of the Environmental and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
Jian-Yu Zhou
Institute of Environment and Ecology, School of the Environmental and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
Shan-Shan Qi
Key Laboratory of Modern Agricultural Equipment and Technology, Ministry of Education, School of Agricultural Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
Zhi-Cong Dai
School of Emergency Management, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
Dao-Lin Du
Institute of Environment and Ecology, School of the Environmental and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
The rhizosphere plays a vital role in the exchange of materials in the soil–plant ecosystem, and rhizosphere microorganisms are crucial for plant growth and development. In this study, we isolated two strains of Pantoea rhizosphere bacteria separately from invasive Alternanthera philoxeroides and native A. sessilis. We conducted a control experiment to test the effects of these bacteria on the growth and competition of the two plant species using sterile seedlings. Our findings showed that the rhizobacteria strain isolated from A. sessilis significantly promoted the growth of invasive A. philoxeroides in monoculture compared to native A. sessilis. Both strains significantly enhanced the growth and competitiveness of invasive A. philoxeroides under competition conditions, regardless of their host source. Our study suggests that rhizosphere bacteria, including those from different host sources, can contribute to the invasion of A. philoxeroides by significantly enhancing its competitiveness.
