Rhizosphere microbe populations but not root traits induced by drought in Populus euphratica males

How sex-related root traits and soil microbes their interactions respond to drought remains unclear. Here, we investigated how fine the composition of rhizosphere microbial communities in Populus euphratica females males concert 17-year-old plantations. Females increased specific length (SRL) response drought. However, showed no changes roots but significant increases arbuscular mycorrhizal hyphal biomass population Gram-negative bacteria rhizosphere. Also, fungal symbiotroph associated with systems differed from those under We further demonstrated that Gram-positive ratios positively correlated SRL, while fungi were negatively correlated. Meanwhile, relative abundance symbiotrophs was saprotroph Nevertheless, carbon content (RCC). These findings indicate responses depend highly upon sex plant group are related trait adjustments This discovery also highlights role plant-microbial ecosystems P. forest