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Oxygen nanobubbles turn biochar into an active defense against cadmium in flooded rice soils

A new study reports that loading biochar with oxygen nanobubbles can help overcome the problem of rapid oxygen depletion in flooded rice soils, creating a more oxidizing environment around rice roots. This leads to reduced cadmium accumulation in rice plants and improved plant growth.

SourceShenyang Agricultural University Collaborative Journals·JournalBiochar X·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 4, 2026

Tropical primary forest plants up-regulate root exudation to adapt to long-term high nitrogen deposition

A research team found that tropical forest plants increase root carbon exudation to stimulate phosphatase activity, mineralize organic P, and release organic acids to dissolve mineral-bound P. This adaptation helps alleviate P limitation under long-term N enrichment, sustaining productivity.

SourceSouth China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalGlobal Change Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 27, 2026

Rice genes matter more than domestication in shaping plant microbiomes

A recent study reveals that the specific genetic identity of rice plants determines which microbes they host and how those microbes function. The research found that differences among rice genotypes strongly shape microbial communities in both soil and on leaf surfaces, influencing nutrient cycling, plant health, and soil carbon storage.

The road ahead: Why conserving the invisible 99% of life is fundamental to planetary health

A new paper outlines a global coalition dedicated to conserving microbial biodiversity, which accounts for 99% of life on Earth. The Microbial Conservation Specialist Group will develop Red List-compatible metrics, pilot restoration projects, and promote public awareness to ensure microbes are recognized as essential to planetary health.

SourceApplied Microbiology International·JournalSustainable Microbiology·DateNov 20, 2025

Root chemistry determines how antibiotic resistance spreads from manure to crops

A new study published in Agricultural Ecology and Environment found that the rhizosphere, surrounding plant roots, is a hotspot for manure-derived antibiotic resistance genes. Crop root chemistry plays a crucial role in how these genes are transferred to plants, with leafy vegetables accumulating more ARGs than fruit-bearing crops.

Barley’s root defense: The secret to surviving acidic, aluminum-rich soils

A new study reveals the first detailed structure of HvAACT1, a barley root protein that enables plants to tolerate aluminum-rich acidic soils. This breakthrough provides the structural basis for citrate efflux in plants and has implications for designing crops that can withstand difficult conditions.

SourceOkayama University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeImaging analysis·DateSep 18, 2025

Genetics of host plants determine what microorganisms they attract

Researchers found that plant genetic variation affects the core microbiome, a collection of microbes playing a crucial role in organizing associated microbes and helping host growth. The study highlights the importance of recruiting nitrogen-fixing bacteria for more sustainable bioenergy crops.

NUS-SCELSE scientists uncover plant hormone that recruits good bacteria to boost plant growth by 30%

Researchers at NUS-SCELSE have discovered a plant hormone, methyl jasmonate, that communicates with beneficial microorganisms in the soil, boosting crop growth by 30%. This finding holds great promise for sustainable agriculture and could lead to the development of nature-based agrochemicals.

SourceNational University of Singapore·JournalNature Chemical Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 6, 2023

Roots of Bloody Mary

Scientists have identified a bacterial strain that can break down the toxic tomatine in tomato roots, providing new understanding of how soil microbes interact with plants. This discovery could lead to the development of new bioactive compounds for human applications.

SourceKyoto University·JournalmBio·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 5, 2023

Bacterial influencers -- rhizosphere microbiome mediates root metabolite exudation

Researchers discovered that the rhizosphere microbiota can shape and control root exudation through a systemic root-to-root signalling mechanism. This process, termed Systemically Induced Root Exudation of Metabolites (SIREM), triggers the secretion of acylsugars in the whole root system.

SourceLeibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 7, 2020