Pepper root exudate attenuates snap bean root rot by mediating microbial community remodeling

Root rot induced by <i>Fusarium solani</i> poses a serious threat to snap bean production and the sustainable development of agriculture. Long-term continuous cropping intensifies the incidence of soilborne diseases. Conventional chemical control methods are frequently less effective against these diseases and may result in issues, such as the development of pathogen resistance, a decline in soil microbial diversity, and environmental contamination. Despite the fact that intercropping snap beans with peppers can reduce the incidence of snap bean root rot, the precise mechanisms through which pepper root exudates confer this protective effect remain inadequately understood. This study demonstrates that pepper root exudates can effectively reduce the occurrence of snap bean root rot by reshaping the microbial community and inducing the secretion of plant defense metabolites. The significance of this research lies in elucidating the key mechanisms and application potential of pepper root exudates in enhancing snap bean resistance to root rot, thereby providing essential theoretical foundations and practical guidance for the development of novel biological agents and the advancement of green agriculture.