Research of Scientia Naturalis
Vol. 3 No. 1 (2026)

PLANT–SOIL–MICROBE INTERACTIONS REVISITED: MECHANISTIC INSIGHTS FROM BIOMOLECULAR AND ECOLOGICAL INTEGRATION

Jihoon, Park (Unknown)
Siregar, Adelina (Unknown)
Tanaka, Kaito (Unknown)
Davis, Michael (Unknown)



Article Info

Publish Date
21 Feb 2026

Abstract

Plant–soil–microbe interactions underpin nutrient cycling, ecosystem productivity, and resilience under environmental change. Despite advances in rhizosphere ecology and molecular biology, integration between biomolecular processes and ecosystem-level dynamics remains fragmented. This study aims to develop and empirically validate a mechanistic framework linking gene expression, metabolite exchange, microbial functional traits, and ecological outcomes across controlled and field contexts. A multi-scale design combined greenhouse factorial experiments with field validation, integrating metagenomics, metatranscriptomics, metabolomics, soil nutrient assays, and ecological network modeling. Structural equation modeling and multivariate analyses were applied to identify causal pathways among root exudation, microbial functional gene abundance, nutrient availability, and plant biomass. Results demonstrate that functional gene abundance (? = 0.46, p < 0.001) and root metabolite diversity (? = 0.39, p < 0.01) significantly predict plant productivity, while network analysis identifies organic acids and nitrogen-fixing taxa as keystone interaction nodes. Drought treatments induced coordinated upregulation of stress-response genes and metabolite adjustments, partially buffering productivity losses. The study concludes that rhizosphere resilience emerges from tightly coupled biomolecular and ecological feedback mechanisms. Integrative multi-omics combined with ecological modeling enhances predictive understanding of ecosystem function under environmental variability.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

scientia

Publisher

Subject

Agriculture, Biological Sciences & Forestry Chemistry Physics

Description

Research of Scientia Naturalis is an international forum for the publication of peer-reviewed integrative review articles, special thematic issues, reflections or comments on previous research or new research directions, interviews, replications, and intervention articles - all pertaining to the ...