Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) have the potential to partially replace chemical fertilizers and pesticides in sustainable agriculture. However, their multidimensional regulatory mechanisms underlying grape root symbiosis remain unclear. This study investigated the effects of Glomus mosseae ( G. mosseae ) on grape growth and rhizosphere microecology using grape cutting seedlings as plant material and a multi-omics approach. The results demonstrated that AMF inoculation significantly promoted grape growth and induced xylem vessel enlargement and mitochondrial proliferation in roots, thus enhancing plant physiological status at both structural and metabolic levels. At the molecular level, AMF modulated the expression of 1376 differentially expressed genes in the roots. These genes jointly contributed to enhanced stress resistance and growth promotion, while downregulating defense responses and specifically reducing the synthesis of secondary metabolites, including resveratrol and pterostilbene. Soil analysis indicated that AMF significantly increased soil nitrogen content and the activity of related enzymes, enriched the abundance of functional strains such as Rugosimonospora africana , and reshaped the rhizosphere microbial community structure. Metabolomic analysis further revealed that AMF induced changes in 538 soil metabolites, which were primarily enriched in secondary metabolism and xenobiotic degradation pathways. Combined analysis of soil microorganisms and metabolites showed significant correlations between specific microbial phyla and differential metabolites, especially the strong association of benzenoid metabolites with key bacterial phyla, which mediates the AMF-regulated rhizosphere microecological interaction. This study is the first to perform a cross-scale analysis from soil metabolomics and microecology to plant transcriptomics in the grape AMF symbiotic system, revealing a multidimensional interaction network among the soil, microbes, and plants. The findings provide new insights into understanding the mechanisms of mycorrhizal symbiosis and developing microbial technologies for grape cultivation. • Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) promote grape root development via xylem expansion and enhanced mitochondria. • AMF increases soil nitrogen content, enriches functional strains and reshapes microbial community. • Secondary metabolites in the soil and root are key for AMF-assisted grape cultivation.
Xu et al. (Thu,) studied this question.