Bacterial social interactions in synthetic Bacillus consortia enhance plant growth

Abstract Plant growth‐promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) represent a sustainable method to improve crop productivity. Synthetic microbial consortia have emerged as a powerful tool for engineering rhizosphere microbiomes. However, designing functionally stable consortia remains challenging due to an insufficient understanding of bacterial social interactions. In this study, we investigated the effects of Bacillus velezensis SQR9 (i.e., a commercially important PGPR) on social interactions within the rhizosphere community, particularly among Bacillus species. SQR9 inoculation significantly enhanced cucumber plant growth and altered the structure of rhizosphere Bacillus and its related bacterial communities. The…