Evolutionary dynamics and co-adaptation of root traits and microbiome function in Poaceae desiccation tolerance

ResultsDesiccation tolerance, a key adaptive trait conserved across Poaceae grasses, remains poorly understood, particularly in relation to its interactions with the rhizosphere microbiota.In this study, we investigated desiccation tolerance across 227 Poaceae species, representing a wide range of phylogenetic lineages and geographic distributions.We employed an integrated approach combining host phylogeny, biogeographic traits, and rhizosphere microbiome profiling to uncover the evolutionary basis of desiccation tolerance.Using 16S rRNA sequencing, we systematically characterized the rhizosphere microbiome to identify drought-resilient microbial taxa and explore their functional associations with plant desiccation tolerance.Our findings reveal phylogenetically conserved patterns of microbial recruitment linked to drought adaptation.By correlating microbial community composition with plant drought resilience, this study provides new insights into the microbiome-mediated desiccation tolerance hypothesis.