Molecular Microbiology Research 2024, Vol.14, No.5, 248-258 http://microbescipublisher.com/index.php/mmr 254 information on the active metabolic pathways and gene expression profiles of the microbial community. This technique has been used to understand how rhizosphere microbiomes respond to environmental stresses and interact with their host plants (Zeng et al., 2021). 5.3 Culture-dependent and culture-independent approaches Studying rhizosphere microbial interactions can be approached through both culture-dependent and culture-independent methods. Culture-dependent methods involve isolating and culturing microbes from the rhizosphere, which allows for detailed physiological and biochemical characterization. However, this approach is limited by the fact that many microbes are not easily culturable under laboratory conditions. Culture-independent methods, such as DNA sequencing and metabolomics, bypass this limitation by analyzing the genetic material or metabolites directly from environmental samples. For instance, metabolomics has been used to study the chemical communication between plant roots and microbes, revealing the signaling molecules involved in defense priming and induced systemic resistance (Mhlongo et al., 2018). Additionally, network analysis of microbial communities has shown how organic amendments can stimulate beneficial interactions and suppress pathogenic fungi in the kiwifruit rhizosphere (Liu et al., 2020). By combining these molecular, metagenomic, and culture-based approaches, researchers can gain a comprehensive understanding of the rhizosphere microbial interactions and their impact on kiwifruit health. This integrated approach is essential for developing sustainable crop management practices that leverage the beneficial effects of the rhizosphere microbiome. 6 Applications in Kiwifruit Cultivation 6.1 Inoculation with beneficial microbes Inoculating kiwifruit plants with beneficial microbes has shown promising results in enhancing plant health and productivity. For instance, the application of beneficial bacteria such as Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas fluorescens has been demonstrated to improve the growth of various crops by enhancing the biomass of bacteria, fungi, and actinomycetes in the rhizosphere (Schmidt et al., 2020). These beneficial microbes can promote plant growth by facilitating nutrient uptake and providing resistance against pathogens. In kiwifruit cultivation, inoculation with plant growth-promoting bacteria like Pseudomonas and Burkholderia has been shown to increase bacterial diversity and improve fruit yield and quality (Liu et al., 2020). Additionally, the use of Rhizobium inoculation has been found to enhance the antioxidant properties and soluble sugars in plants, which could be beneficial for kiwifruit health and productivity (Makgato et al., 2020). 6.2. Soil management practices Soil management practices play a crucial role in shaping the rhizosphere microbial community and, consequently, the health and productivity of kiwifruit plants. Long-term organic fertilization, for example, has been shown to improve the productivity of kiwifruit by increasing rhizosphere microbial diversity and network complexity. Organic amendments such as pig and sheep dung compost not only enhance soil pH and nutrient content but also increase the relative abundance of beneficial microbes while reducing plant pathogenic fungi (Liu et al., 2020). Intercropping with plants like Vicia sativa can also improve soil moisture, microbial community, enzyme activity, and nutrient content in the rhizosphere, thereby enhancing the growth of young kiwifruit plants (Qiuping et al., 2021). Moreover, the application of sulfur mixed with organic fertilizer has been found to reduce the severity of kiwifruit bacterial canker and increase microbial diversity in the rhizosphere (Yang et al., 2020). 6.3 Integration with organic farming Integrating organic farming practices into kiwifruit cultivation can significantly benefit the rhizosphere microbial community and overall plant health. Organic farming practices, such as the use of organic manure, have been shown to improve soil quality by increasing soil organic matter, microbial biomass carbon, and nematode diversity (Su et al., 2021). These practices also promote positive correlations between beneficial nematodes and microorganisms, which are essential for soil health. Studies have shown that organically managed fields have
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