Apple scion cultivars regulate the rhizosphere microbiota of scion/rootstock combinations

In grafted apple combinations, rootstocks can increase the stress tolerance of plants, influence scion growth, and harbor a rich microbial community. However, whether scions modify plant rootstock phenotypes rhizosphere bacterial communities has not been clearly investigated. Here, 14 different combinations two cultivars on 7 genotypes were used as research materials, we analyzed traits, community, potential functionalities across these plants in same orchard. We found that influenced tree height trunk circumference, sugar concentration roots varied significantly between cultivars, especially fructose sucrose. Apple largest source variation diversity taxonomic composition exerted greater impact community than genotype. The networks also by cultivars. dominant taxa correlated with root concentration, Further functional analysis revealed bacteria contained sucrose metabolism had growth-promoting traits. Additionally, predicted rhizosphere-associated depending cultivar. These results indicated varieties regulate function through controlling soluble content,