Competitive Capacity and Rhizosphere Mineralization of Organic Matter During Weed-Soil Microbiota Interactions

Abstract

The competition between weeds and crops is one of the main factors responsible for productivity losses in agricultural fields. This review aimed at presenting and discussing how the interactions between weeds and microorganisms can affect the competitive capacity of weeds and soil physicochemical properties. We also discuss how changes in the elemental stoichiometry of weeds can reflect their competitive and adaptative capacity. Although weeds are more dependent on associations with soil microorganisms than crops for growth, few studies have assessed the contribution of the soil microbiota to their competitive success in agroecosystems. When in competition, plants can change the elemental stoichiometry of their tissues in environments with varied nutrient availability. Elemental stoichiometry of plants has been particularly well studied using ecological approaches on the dynamics of weed populations in natural ecosystems, being a promising tool for understanding weed capacity to adapt to different agricultural managements. Plants control the biogeochemical cycles of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) in the rhizosphere through a phenomenon known as the rhizosphere priming effect (RPE). Although this review has found some information in the literature that provides strong indications that the coexistence of weeds and crops may increase soil organic matter mineralization, we are not aware of studies investigating the effects of competition among these plants on RPE.

Weeds in the Alfalfa Field Decrease Rhizosphere Microbial Diversity and Association Networks in the North China Plain

“…The availability of plant nutrients is regulated by microorganisms through the mineralization of soil organic matter and solubilization of soil minerals ( Hunter et al, 2014 ). Furthermore, weed establishment and persistence lead to changes in soil physicochemical properties in agricultural fields, reflecting the nutrient competitive capacity ( Matos et al, 2019 ). In the current study, there was a distinction between the weed species and Ms. in terms of soil physicochemical properties, which were essential elements for plant growth and reproduction.…”

“…In turn, N and P concentrations increase the phytomass of weed species and soils in nutrient-poor environments ( Sardans et al, 2017 ). Additionally, interactions with soil microbiota may be important for competitive relations as soil microorganisms play key roles in the competitive ability of weed plants ( Matos et al, 2019 ). The soil microbiome is influenced by above- and below-ground inputs linked to the composition of plant communities.…”

“…Soil microbial communities and the capacity of plants to form associations with soil microorganisms may influence weed performance ( De Matos et al, 2019 ). Weed communities exert species-specific effects on the structure of soil microbial communities and select microorganisms that establish positive/negative interactions, which increase their adaptability, stability and competitiveness in farmlands ( Wortman et al, 2013 ; Matos et al, 2019 ). Thus, there is a greater capacity for adaptation and plant development in environments that allow for associations with soil microorganisms.…”

“…A recent study reports that plant species changes in microbial communities depend on the plant characteristics ( Fadiji and Babalola, 2020 ). Weed species mitigate soil microbiota that colonize the rhizosphere and acquire nutrient sources unavailable to the crop, thereby creating soil conditions that favor weed species over native plants, which in turn increase the competitive ability of weeds ( Massenssini et al, 2014 ; Matos et al, 2019 ). However, the relationship among arable weeds, soil properties, and soil microbial communities in alfalfa fields is not well understood.…”

Zinc oxide nanoparticles and bioinoculants on the postharvest quality of eggplant subjected to water deficit

“…These micronutrients alleviate water deficit in plants, increase water use efficiency, maintain cell integrity and eliminate drought-induced free radicals (Karim & Rahman, 2015;Dimkpa et al, 2019;Ganguly et al, 2022). PGPB in the soil can increase the production of osmoregulatory substances in plants and thus act synergistically, cooperating in drought tolerance (Matos et al, 2019). These organisms can produce auxins, such as indoleacetic acid, which increase the length of plant roots, resulting in greater absorption of water and nutrients from the soil (Turatto et al, 2018).…”