Molecular Microbiology Research 2024, Vol.14, No.1, 49-60 http://microbescipublisher.com/index.php/mmr 49 Review and Progress Open Access Enhancing Soil Health and Biodiversity Through Nitrogen Fixation Symbiosis in Leguminous Plants Qikun Huang Research Institute of Life Science, Jiyang College of Zhejiang A&F University, Zhuji, 311800, Zhejiang, China Corresponding email: 1768126628@qq.com Molecular Microbiology Research, 2024, Vol.14, No.1 doi: 10.5376/mmr.2024.14.0006 Received: 27 Dec., 2023 Accepted: 06 Feb., 2024 Published: 22 Feb., 2024 Copyright © 2024 Huang, This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: Huang Q.K., 2024, Enhancing soil health and biodiversity through nitrogen fixation symbiosis in Leguminous plants, Molecular Microbiology Research, 14(1): 49-60 (doi: 10.5376/mmr.2024.14.0006) Abstract Leguminous plants play a crucial role in agricultural ecosystems and the maintenance of biodiversity due to their symbiotic nitrogen-fixing capabilities with soil microbes, particularly rhizobia. This review explores the interactions between leguminous plants and soil microbial communities, as well as the functions and impacts of this symbiosis in ecological and agricultural production. It analyzes the role of leguminous plants in ecosystems and the biological basis of their nitrogen fixation mechanisms, emphasizing the importance of nitrogen fixation in enhancing plant growth and soil fertility. The review delves into how leguminous plants influence soil health and plant productivity by altering the diversity and activity of soil microbes. Through specific case studies, it further illustrates the practical applications and potential challenges of these interactions in different ecological and agricultural systems, and discusses the environmental and management factors affecting these interactions, proposing directions for future research. This review aims to provide a scientific basis for sustainable agricultural practices and ecosystem management, highlighting the importance of researching the interactions between leguminous plants and soil microbes. Keywords Leguminous plants; Soil microbial communities; Nitrogen fixation symbiosis; Soil health; Ecosystem functions Leguminous plants are integral to both natural ecosystems and agricultural systems. They are renowned for their ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen through symbiotic relationships with rhizobial bacteria, which significantly enhances soil fertility and reduces the need for synthetic nitrogen fertilizers. This nitrogen-fixing capability not only supports the growth of leguminous plants themselves but also benefits subsequent crops in crop rotation systems, thereby promoting sustainable agricultural practices (Zhang et al., 2019; Stavridou et al., 2022). Additionally, legumes contribute to biodiversity and ecosystem stability by providing habitat and food for various organisms. Soil microbial communities, comprising bacteria, fungi, archaea, and other microorganisms, play a crucial role in maintaining soil health and ecosystem functioning. These microbes are involved in nutrient cycling, organic matter decomposition, and the formation of soil structure. They also engage in complex interactions with plants, influencing plant growth, health, and productivity. For instance, mycorrhizal fungi enhance plant nutrient uptake, while other soil microbes can protect plants from pathogens. The diversity and composition of soil microbial communities are influenced by various factors, including plant species, soil type, and environmental conditions (Schlatter et al., 2015; Romdhane et al., 2021). Understanding the interactions between leguminous plants and soil microbial communities is vital .These interactions can significantly impact soil nutrient dynamics and plant health, thereby influencing agricultural productivity and sustainability (Zhang et al., 2019; Stavridou et al., 2022). Leguminous plants can alter the composition and function of soil microbial communities, which in turn can affect soil health and ecosystem services. For example, the presence of leguminous plants has been shown to enhance microbial diversity and resilience, which are critical for soil ecosystem stability and function (Jiao et al., 2019; Zhang et al., 2019). Moreover, studying these interactions can provide insights into the mechanisms underlying plant-microbe symbioses and help develop strategies for improving crop performance and soil management practices (Lau and Lennon, 2011; Thrall et al., 2011).
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