Characteristics and Functional Analysis of Rhizosphere Bacterial Communities of the Endangered Plant Taihangia Rupestris

Rhizosphere microbial communities play a crucial role in plant health and growth, with each plant species harboring a unique assemblage of rhizosphere microorganisms. Taihangia rupestris (Yu and Li), an endangered species, holds significant research value. In this study, 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing technology combined with bioinformatics methods was employed to analyze the characteristics and functions of rhizosphere bacterial communities of the endangered plant T. rupestris. The results showed that the core dominant bacterial phyla in the rhizosphere of T. rupestris were Proteobacteria, Acidobacteriota, and Actinobacteriota. There were significant differences in the complexity of bacterial co-occurrence networks among T. rupestris populations from different habitats. Functional prediction indicated that chemoheterotrophy, aerobic chemoheterotrophy, nitrate reduction, and phototrophy were the main metabolic functions of the rhizosphere bacterial community. These functions can improve soil fertility by promoting the decomposition of soil organic matter and nutrient cycling. Further analysis confirmed that the core position of bacterial communities in the rhizosphere of T. rupestris provides essential nutrient supply for the plant’s growth in impoverished cliff habitats and significantly enhances its environmental adaptability. This study clarifies the key bacterial taxa and their ecological functions in the rhizosphere of T. rupestris, reveals the intrinsic link between rhizosphere microorganisms and the habitat adaptability of T. rupestris, and provides important theoretical basis and scientific support for the subsequent development of conservation strategies for this endangered species.