The Mycorrhizal Fungal Species Funneliformis mosseae Reshapes Rhizosphere Microbial Metabolic Pathways of Soybeans Under Tetracycline Stress

Abstract

ABSTRACT Studies have demonstrated that arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can alter the rhizosphere microbial communities during exposure to tetracycline, thereby alleviating the adverse effects of antibiotics. We hypothesized that Funneliformis mosseae (F. mosseae) reshapes soil metabolite composition and associated‐microbial pathways under tetracycline stress and that these metabolite changes are associated with the rhizosphere microbial communities. To test this hypothesis, microbiological profiling with metabolomics approaches were carried out to investigate how AMF reshape rhizosphere metabolite profiles in soybeans undergoing tetracycline stress. Specifically, inoculation with F. mosseae altered the soil metabolite profiles, with 34 differential metabolites identified, including 14 upregulated and 20 downregulated compounds, mainly amino acids, sugar phosphates, fatty acids, polyphenols, triterpenes, and heterocyclic compounds. In addition, 19 differential metabolic pathways were identified and classified into four metabolic clusters: polyunsaturated fatty acids and oxidative stress‐related metabolism, carbon source and energy metabolism, amino acid and sulfur‐containing metabolism, and secondary metabolism and defense responses. The correlation analysis between soil metabolites and published rhizosphere microbial data revealed 14 metabolites, including Trehalose‐6‐phosphate, increased with bacterial abundance, while five metabolites decreased; similarly, four metabolites increased and three decreased with fungal abundance. Correlation network analysis further indicated that 16 differential metabolites were significantly associated with 8 differential bacterial genera, and 12 differential metabolites were significantly associated with six fungal genera. Overall, our findings demonstrated that F. mosseae plays a crucial role in regulating microbial metabolism and interactions in tetracycline‐contaminated soils, providing valuable insights into the mechanisms by which AMF alleviate tetracycline‐induced stress in soils.