Mechanisms of Plant-Associated Microbial Community Regulation of Plant Drought Resistance under Drought Stress

Abstract With the intensification of global climate change, drought has emerged as one of the most severe abiotic stresses limiting plant growth and posing significant threats to food security and ecological health. Rhizosphere microorganisms, through their colonization and functional activities, play a pivotal role in promoting plant growth and enhancing crop drought tolerance. The symbiotic relationship between plants and rhizosphere microorganisms can help plants withstand drought stress via multiple mechanisms, offering broad application prospects. In this context, this article systematically reviews the effects of drought stress on plant rhizosphere microbial communities, analyzes its direct and indirect regulatory effects on microbial functions, and deeply explores the rhizosphere microorganism-mediated regulatory network underlying plant drought resistance. It also examines plant-microbe interaction mechanisms and ecological adaptation strategies under combined stress conditions. Furthermore, addressing current research gaps, such as unclear mechanisms governing stable field colonization of microbial communities, lack of tools to identify and regulate key root exudate signals, and complex responses of microbial functions under combined stresses. This review proposes future research directions that warrant focused attention. These include the artificial construction of stable functional microbial consortia, the identification of key signaling molecules in root exudates, and the elucidation of the formation mechanisms of “drought memory” in soil microorganisms. This article aims to provide a scientific basis for exploring novel approaches to enhance plant drought resistance and to lay a theoretical and practical foundation for sustainable agricultural development.