Short communicationThe nutrient preference of plants influences their rhizosphere microbiome

- Plant nutrient preference participates in determining plant rhizosphere microbiome.
- Soil nitrite-N, available K and Mn, and total P and Fe are key factors.
- Cucumber nutrient preference results in a low diversity of fungal community.
- Tomato nutrient preference leads to a low diversity of bacterial community.

Many studies in recent decades have shown the signature effect of the host plant in determining the plant-associated microbiome in the soil. However, the important question as to the factors contributing to the selective enrichment of microorganisms in the plant rhizosphere has not been fully addressed. In this study, the role of the nutrient preferences of two plant species, tomato and cucumber, in variations in the soil microbiome were investigated using a five-season continuous pot experiment. The results of MiSeq sequencing showed that these two plants assembled specific bacterial and fungal communities in their rhizospheres, and the soil nutrient status resulting from the plant nutrient preference was identified as a key driver in the development of a plant-specific microbiome.