Plant-microbe interactions of chickpea rhizosphere to modulate microbiome, yields, nutritional quality and soil fertility

Interconversion activity of rhizosphere and endophytic microbiota reshapes the entire soil–plant physiological processes under different environmental conditions. A microbiome analysis of above- and below-ground compartments reveals that microbial interactions balance soil nutrient and enzyme activity, leading to improved plant development and production. This study aims to explore the the chickpea microbiome for developing potential microbial consortia to enhance chickpea productivity. Seed inoculation and foliar application of microbial consortium T16 (Bacillus subtilis BHUJPCS-24 + Brevundimonas sp. BHUJPVCPR-1 + Brevundimonas naejangsanensis BHUJPVCRS-1 + Enterobacter hormaechei BHUJPCS-15) and T13 (B. subtilis BHUJPCS-24 + Brevundimonas sp. BHUJPVCPR-1 + B. naejangsanensis BHUJPVCRS-1) in chickpea significantly enhanced plant growth attributes, plant/seed nutrients, and soil fertility, along with modulation of plant (root, seed, shoot) and soil microbiomes compared to the control. In addition, grain yield was increased up to 29% in treatment (T13) and 35% in treatment T16) as compared to T0. Similarly, these consortia increased plant nutrients (N, P, K, Fe, Zn, Mn, Na, total flavonoids, and phenolic compounds) and soil fertility (N, P, K, and soil enzyme activities). In addition, alpha and beta diversity metrics revealed that these microbial inputs increased the richness of Proteobacteria, Chloroflexi, Actinobacteria, Acidobacteria, and Planctomycetes in both T16 and T13 treated chickpea plants and rhizosphere soil compared to the control. The Spearman correlation test showed positive correlations among different plant traits and soil properties. Seed microbiome analysis revealed that Cyanobacteria, Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Chloroflexi, Acidobacteria, Planctomycetes, and Firmicutes exhibited positive correlations with plant traits and soil properties. The main findings of this study showed that the microbial consortium (B. subtilis + Brevundimonas sp. + B. naejangsanensis + E. hormaechei) significantly enhanced chickpea productivity and also improved plant and rhizosphere soil microbiota. Additionally, plant microbe (consortia) interactions led to improved chickpea nutrient composition, flavonoid content, crop production, and soil fertility. Such findings provide key insights into the potential of microbial consortia to promote a healthier soil microbiome, reframing current agricultural practices toward a more sustainable approach.