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Summary: Rhizomicrobiome plays important roles in plant growth and health, contributing to the sustainable development of agriculture. Plants recruit and assemble the rhizomicrobiome to satisfy their functional requirements, which is widely recognized as the 'cry for help' theory, but the intrinsic mechanisms are still limited.In this study, we revealed a novel mechanism by which plants reprogram the functional expression of inhabited rhizobacteria, in addition to the de novo recruitment of soil microbes, to satisfy different functional requirements as plants grow. This might be an efficient and low‐cost strategy and a substantial extension to the rhizomicrobiome recruitment theory.We found that the plant regulated the sequential expression of genes related to biocontrol and plant growth promotion in two well‐studied rhizobacteria Bacillus velezensis SQR9 and Pseudomonas protegens CHA0 through root exudate succession across the plant developmental stages. Sixteen key chemicals in root exudates were identified to significantly regulate the rhizobacterial functional gene expression by high‐throughput qPCR.This study not only deepens our understanding of the interaction between the plant–rhizosphere microbiome, but also provides a novel strategy to regulate and balance the different functional expression of the rhizomicrobiome to improve plant health and growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seed‐borne pathogens can inhabit the rhizosphere and infect the plant after germination. The rhizosphere microbiome plays critical roles in defending against seed‐borne pathogens. However, the assembly of a core rhizosphere microbiome to suppress seed‐borne pathogens is unknown. Here, the root‐associated microbiome is infested with seed‐borne Fusarium in sterile environment, while the root‐associated microbiome is not infested when it interacts with the native soil microbiome across maize cultivars, suggesting that a core rhizosphere microbiome assembles to suppress seed‐borne Fusarium. Two strategies of progressive dilution and rhizodepositional attraction are applied to identify the core rhizobacteria. A synthetic microbiota (SynM) is constructed using the isolates of the core rhizobacteria and optimized according to superior community stability and Fusarium‐suppression capability, which surpasses the single strain and randomly formed microbiota. The optimized SynM (OptSynM) presents a distinctive cooperative pattern in which a key strain harbors the Fusarium suppression function by synthesizing the antagonistic substance fengycin, while other members intensify the functional performance by promoting the growth and the expression of the antagonistic and plant‐growth‐promoting related genes of the key strain. This study demonstrates innovative approaches to construct stable and minimal microbiota for sustainable agriculture and proposes a unique cooperative pattern to sustain community stability and functionality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents a fault coil localisation approach for a direct‐drive permanent magnet synchronous motor (DDPMSM) with inter‐turn short‐circuit fault (ISF) using the search coil (SC) array. The SCs are wound around specific stator tooth of DDPMSM through the proposed SC array arrangement principle, which reduces the invasiveness of the fault coil localisation method. The SCs are classified as several search coil groups (SCGs), the differential between SC back electromotive forces (EMFs) in the same SCGs (δ1) and SC residual back EMF (δ2) are used as fault indicators for ISF localisation. The peak values extracted from δ1 and δ2 are the basis for diagnosing ISF. Hence, the proposed approach does not need a complicated signal processing algorithm, and it is less complex. First, the SC back EMF analytical model is developed to investigate the mapping relationship between the back EMF of each SC and fault coil location. Second, fault coil localisation indicators for ISF are analysed based on the proposed analytical model, and the exact ISF localisation approach is presented. Finally, two basic installation units and the arrangement principle of SC array in DDPMSM are proposed. Simulation and experimental results justify the effectiveness of the selected fault indicators and the feasibility of the proposed SC array for diagnosing ISF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, a suspension‐guided permanent magnet synchronous linear motor (SG‐PMSLM) for ropeless elevator is proposed, which can meet the requirements of high thrust and high thrust density for ropeless elevator, and reduce vibration noise and wheel‐rail wear during motor operation. The structure, working principle and electromagnetic characteristics of SG‐PMSLM are analysed. In order to improve the overall performance of SG‐PMSLM, this article aims at improving the average thrust and thrust density, reducing the thrust fluctuation of SG‐PMSLM. Firstly, the sensitivity analysis of the key structural parameters of SG‐PMSLM is conducted, and the parameters that have significant influence on the three optimisation objectives are selected as the optimisation variables. Secondly, the response surface model of three optimisation objectives is built, and the Particle Swarm Optimisation algorithm is combined to conduct the multi‐objective optimisation design for SG‐PMSLM. Thirdly, the optimised solution set is obtained for three objectives. Finite Element Analysis is used to verify that the optimised solution set has better diversity and can effectively improve SG‐PMSLM overall performance compared with the initial design. Finally, the electromagnetic performance of SG‐PMSLM is verified by experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Permanent magnet linear synchronous motor (PMLSM) is one of the ideal driving sources of ropeless elevators. However, such motors, whether moving magnetic or moving coil, will produce the problem of excessive cost under long travel. The permanent magnet flux switched linear motor (PMFSLM) with permanent magnets (PMs) and copper coils on the mover side greatly reduces the cost. A U‐type PMFSLM is proposed in the paper. First, a PMFSLM is proposed and investigated, quantitatively comparing with PMLSM for the ropeless elevator system. Second, aiming at the problem of flux leakage at the top of PMFSLM, a U‐type PM (UPM) structure is presented. The electromagnetic performance of PMFSLM and UPM‐FSLM have been compared and summarised. The comparison results show that UPM‐FSLM solves the defect of top flux leakage, increases thrust by 4.34%, reduces thrust ripple by 28.10%, and has better electromagnetic performance than PMFSLM. Afterwards, the elevator passenger capacity of PMFSLM and UPM‐FSLM are simulated and calculated and the feasibility is analysed. Finally, a prototype of PMFSLM has been built and measured. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the emission factor method and LMDI-LEAP model, this paper systematically studies the current situation, influencing factors and changing trend of carbon emissions from rural buildings in a typical village located in southern China. The results showed that (1) the per capita carbon emissions generated by the energy consumption of rural buildings is 2.58 tCO2/a. Carbon emissions from electricity consumption in buildings account for about 96.07%; (2) the per capita building area, building area energy intensity, population size, population structure and carbon emission coefficient affect rural building carbon emissions, with contribution rates of 70.13%, 31.27%, 0.61%, −1.21% and −0.80%, respectively; (3) from 2021 to 2060, the carbon emissions of rural buildings are expected to increase first and then decrease. In 2021, the base year, carbon emissions from buildings were 2755.49 tCO2. The carbon emissions will peak at 5275.5 tCO2. Measures such as controlling the scale of buildings and improving the utilization rate of clean energy can effectively reduce carbon emissions, in which case the peak can be reduced to 4830.06 tCO2. Finally, the countermeasures and suggestions about rural building energy saving and emission reduction are proposed, including improving the construction management, raising energy efficiency standards in buildings, increasing the proportion of clean energy and raising residents' awareness of energy conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mass production of the motors causes tolerance of shape and dimension, deviation of permanent magnet remanence and rotor eccentricity error, which affect the cogging torque and torque ripple amplitude and performance consistency. In order to reduce the torque ripple of the motor in the actual condition, the robustness optimization is performed in the paper. Firstly, an improving convex arc type permanent magnet structure is adopted to improve air gap flux density and suppress the cogging torque. Secondly, the structure parameters of the magnetic pole are selected as optimization variables, and the magnetization angle, remanence and position of the permanent magnet, static and dynamic rotor eccentricity are considered as noise factors. To improve the overall robustness of the motor under different operating conditions, the dynamic Taguchi method is used to optimize the robustness of the motor, and the test data is processed through the relation analysis method to obtain the optimal combination of control factors. Finally, the prototype is manufactured for the experiment. Compared with the single‐operating conditions robust optimization results, the robust optimization method improves the robustness of the motor. The cogging torque amplitude is reduced by 39.2%. The torque ripple is 38.4% lower than that before optimization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper studies a superconducting maglev submersible cryogenic liquid pump (CLP) using superconducting magnetic bearing (SMB). A new structure is proposed for the self‐stability of high‐temperature superconducting magnetic levitation, and the compact structure of disk motor‐pump. The rotor of the axial‐flux disk motor is connected with a centrifugal impeller to form an impeller‐rotor of the proposed superconducting CLP. Supported by a SMB system, the impeller‐rotor rotates frictionlessly with self‐stabilisation as a suspension rotor. The SMB system includes a radial‐type SMB, an auxiliary permanent magnet bearing, and an electromagnetic bearing composed of the stator and the rotor of disk motor. Theoretical calculations and experimental measurements are performed to examine the axial and radial levitation force behaviours of the SMB system. Then, a kinetic model of the suspension rotor is established and analysed to assure force balance and stable levitation. Finally, a prototype pump is fabricated and an experimental setup for liquid nitrogen transmission is constructed for validation purposes. The experimental tests on the pump head and the flow rate are carried out, which demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed superconducting maglev submersible CLP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) is introduced with 120° phase belts toroidal windings (PBTWs) (120°PBTWPMSM), in which its armature reaction field principle is elaborated. Then, the experiment concerning the 120°PBTWPMSM is conducted to verify the validity of the related analysis and the feasibility of the 120°PBTWPMSM. In addition, a method of shifting the magnetic poles (SMP) is adopted to suppress the cogging torque and the torque ripple. After this, the 120°PBTWPMSM after SMP is further optimised by the Taguchi method to obtain the structural parameters of the motor with optimal comprehensive performance. Finally, the performance of the original motor, the 120°PBTWPMSM after SMP and the optimal motor are compared, which verify the effectiveness of the optimization methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inter‐turn short‐circuit fault (ISF) degrades its reliability and may cause serious catastrophes for direct‐drive permanent magnet synchronous motor (DDPMSM). Fault location technology can reduce maintenance time, increase the mean time between failure (MTBF), and then improve the reliability of DDPMSM. Hence, an intelligent fault locating system for DDPMSM is proposed in this paper. This system proposes a knowledge graph (KG) based diagnostic tool for detection and location of the fault coil. First, the fault model of the DDPMSM with multiple branches parallel winding is established, which is used to analyze the fault characteristics of motor. Second, the BDC and BRC are proposed as the fault indicator. The effectiveness and robustness of fault indicator are analyzed. Then, the KG system are designed and established according to the relationship between fault indicator and location of fault coil. Finally, the system is tested by data under different fault and operation conditions. The test results showed that the proposed fault locating system can detect and locate the fault coil in early stage. The minimum ratio of shorted turns to branch turns that can be detected is 0.52%. The minimum ratio of shorted turns to branch turns that can be located is 6.25%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Owing to its many benefits, including convenient and short computing time, the analytical model (AM) is widely used in the performance analyse of the permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM). The existing analytical models based on phase winding cannot sufficiently speculate about the contribution of the coil to the performances of direct‐drive PMSM (DDPMSM) with series coils and multiple branches. Hence, in this work, a novel AM for the DDPMSM is proposed. This model, which is based on the winding sub‐element, can analyse the influence of coil on motor performance. First, the structure and key parameters of the DDPMSM are reported. Second, an inductance matrix, which considers the spatial disposition of coils and the characteristics of large self‐inductance and small mutual inductance, is constructed. Then, the influence of the coil on motor performance is analysed based on the proposed AM. Finally, the results of AM, finite‐element model and experiment are compared. The results validate the correctness of the proposed AM. Furthermore, the proposed AM can speculate about the contribution of a coil in the DDPMSM performances with satisfactory accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 2-degree-of-freedom direct drive induction motor (2DoFDDIM) is capable of implementing rotary linear or helical motion, which has the definite advantages of integrated structure, high material utilization, and so on. In this paper, the characteristics analysis of the three kinds of motions is presented. The air-gap magnetic field distributions and mechanical characteristics of the 2DoFDDIM with three motions are derived respectively. The results show that there is super synchronous speed or velocity phenomenon for rotary or linear motion. Moreover, the coupling effects between the rotating and travelling wave magnetic fields and that between the two mechanical motions will deteriorate the performance of the three-dimensional (3-D) helical motion compared with the two-dimensional (2-D) motion (rotary or linear). The expressions of the resistant torque and force caused by the coupling effect are derived, which are verified by 3-D finite-element models (FEMs). The results regarding the weakening of the output torque of helical motion and interacting magnetic field obtained from FEMs are then verified by experimental tests. Finally, the skewed slot method is applied to 2DoFDDIM, which successfully improves the performance of helical motion aiming to compensate the coupling resistant torque and force. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, a novel solid rotor induction motor with toroidal winding (N-TWSRIM) is proposed and its structure and main structural parameters are given. The operating principle is analyzed in accordance with the movement of the armature magnetic field at different times. An equivalent circuit model (ECM) of the N-TWSRIM is established based on composite multilayer theory to analyze and calculate motor performance quickly and accurately. Electromagnetic performance, which includes output torque, stator current, and power factor under different slip, is calculated with ECM, and its results are compared with those of the finite element method. A prototype of the N-TWSRIM is built and experimented on to validate the correctness of the operating principle and ECM. Experimental results on stator current and torque are consistent with the finite element and analytical results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the characteristics of the helical motion of the rotatory-linear 2-degree-of-freedom split-stator induction motor (2DoFSSIM) are investigated, which cannot be regarded as the simple superimposition of the 1DoF rotary and linear motions. A set of torque and force equations of the helical motion is deduced. It illustrates that the interacting electromagnetic torque and force are opposite to the directions of rotary and axial movements, respectively. For the rotating movement, the interacting torque is related to the axial velocity. Moreover, the axial velocity significantly influences the output torque performances and no-load speed. Similar conclusions can be obtained for axial movement of the helical motion. The 3-D finite-element method is applied to calculate the exact output performance considering the interacting influence. Furthermore, the prototype machine is manufactured and tested to verify the analytical results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The original fuzzy-based Taguchi method is restricted with the number of objective functions. Aiming to solve this problem, this paper describes an improved fuzzy-based Taguchi method (IFBTM) coupled with finite-element analysis (FEA) for the multi-objective optimization of direct-drive permanent magnet synchronous motors (DDPMSMs). To reduce the number of dimensions in the fuzzy rule base, the IFBTM uses a factor stratification method to establish multilayer fuzzy rule base. The fuzzy inference system with multilayer fuzzy rule base is introduced to translate the multiple optimization objectives to a single objective. After optimal selection analysis, the best combination of motor structure factors is obtained with small FEA computation. Finally, the performances of DDPMSM are analyzed and compared with those of IFBTM. The results certify the superiority and validity of IFBTM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a modified equivalent circuit model (ECM), which considers the effects of an arc-shaped stator structure and saturation, is presented to calculate the characteristics of a two-degree-of-freedom direct drive induction motor (2DoFDDIM). The motor has a novel slotted solid rotor (SSR), which is slotted along the axial and circumferential directions, and copper is cast in the slots. The SSR is equivalent to a cage rotor by analyzing the current distribution using the circuit diagram. The corrected ECM parameter expressions of a cage rotor are proposed to calculate the SSR parameters. The characteristics obtained by ECM and finite element method are compared to verify the accuracy of the modified ECM. This paper provides reference for calculating the parameters of the induction motor with SSR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two degree‐of‐freedom direct drive induction motor (2DoFDDIM), capable of rotary, linear and helical motion, has widespread application. A new mover structure is proposed, which is made from a hollow cylinder with copper cast in the axial slots and the circumferential slots on its surface. Then, three‐dimensional finite element models of 2DoFDDIM are used to determine the performances of rotary, linear and helical motion developed by the motor. The results show that the new mover has a great improvement on the motor performances of all modes of motions compared with the initial mover. The researches on mover structure and characteristics of 2DoFDDIM present a new path of optimisation on 2DoFIM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents a composite multilayer method (CMM) to evaluate the performance of a two‐degree‐of‐freedom (2DoF) direct drive induction motor (2DoFDDIM) whose solid rotor is coated with a copper layer. It includes a rotary part and a linear part. Based on the traditional multilayer theory, a complete 2DoFDDIM CMM computer program importing propagation constants is built. Due to the complex magnetic field in a 2DoFDDIM, this study mainly analyses it from the perspective of a single DOF motor. An equivalent circuit for the rotary part of the 2DoFDDIM is then derived applying CMM and the 2D magnetic field distribution is obtained by solving Maxwell's equations in motor layers. The developed torques, power factors and stator currents of the rotary part with different slips and the latter two of the linear part at zero speed are calculated by CMM, which are then compared with results from the finite element method (FEM) and experimental results. The computation time of the CMM is far less than that of the FEM. The acceptable accuracy confirms the effectiveness of the CMM for analysis and performance calculations of the 2DoFDDIM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A two degrees of freedom (2-DOF) actuator capable of producing linear translation, rotary motion, or helical motion would be a desirable asset to the fields of machine tools, robotics, and various apparatuses. In this paper, a novel 2-DOF split-stator induction motor was proposed and electromagnetic structure parameters of the motor were designed and optimized. The feature of the direct-drive 2-DOF induction motor lies in its solid mover arrangement. In order to study the complex distribution of the eddy current field on the ferromagnetic cylinder mover and the motor's operating characteristics, the mathematical model of the proposed motor was established, and characteristics of the motor were analyzed by adopting the permeation depth method (PDM) and finite element method (FEM). The analytical and numerical results from motor simulation clearly show a correlation between the PDM and FEM models. This may be considered as a fair justification for the proposed machine and design tools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemotaxis, the ability of motile bacteria to direct their movement in gradients of attractants and repellents, plays an important role during the rhizosphere colonization by rhizobacteria. The rhizosphere is a unique niche for plant–microbe interactions. Root exudates are highly complex mixtures of chemoeffectors composed of hundreds of different compounds. Chemotaxis towards root exudates initiates rhizobacteria recruitment and the establishment of bacteria–root interactions. Over the last years, important progress has been made in the identification of root exudate components that play key roles in the colonization process, as well as in the identification of the cognate chemoreceptors. In the first part of this review, we summarized the roles of representative chemoeffectors that induce chemotaxis in typical rhizobacteria and discussed the structure and function of rhizobacterial chemoreceptors. In the second part we reviewed findings on how rhizobacterial chemotaxis and other root–microbe interactions promote the establishment of beneficial rhizobacteria-plant interactions leading to plant growth promotion and protection of plant health. In the last part we identified the existing gaps in the knowledge and discussed future research efforts that are necessary to close them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A tubular permanent-magnet linear generator is suitable for direct drive wave energy conversion owing to its simple structure, easy maintenance and high efficiency. In this study, a novel Gramme winding tubular permanent-magnet linear generator (GW) is designed to increase power density. First, the structure of the Gramme winding and concentrated winding tubular permanent-magnet linear generator is introduced and the operation principle of the generator is analysed. Second, the initial parameters of GW are determined based on the similar overall dimensions to those of the concentrated winding tubular permanent-magnet linear generator. Third, the air gap flux density, external characteristics, voltage regulation, output power, and loss of the two generators are compared. Finally, the DC load capacities of the two generators are compared based on a three-phase full-control bridge rectifying circuit. The results show that the GW has a higher power density than the latter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a demagnetization fault detection, mode recognition, magnetic pole positioning, and degree evaluation method for permanent magnet synchronous motors. First, the analytical model of the single-coil no-load back electromotive force (EMF) of demagnetization fault for Permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) arbitrary magnetic poles is established. In the analytical model, the single-coil no-load back EMF residual of the health state and the single magnetic pole sequential demagnetization fault are calculated and normalized. Model results are used as the fault sample database. Second, the energy interval database of the single-coil no-load back EMF residual with different numbers of magnetic pole demagnetization is established. Demagnetization fault detection and degree evaluation are performed by the real-time acquired amplitudes of the single-coil no-load back EMF residual. The number of demagnetization poles is determined by comparing the energy of the single-coil no-load back EMF residual with the energy interval database. Demagnetization mode recognition and magnetic pole positioning are realized by analyzing the correlation coefficients between normalized the single-coil no-load back EMF residual and the fault sample database. Finally, results of analysis of the finite element simulation validate the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A two-degree-of-freedom direct-drive induction motor (2DoFDDIM), whose solid rotor is coated with a copper layer, is capable of linear, rotary, and helical motions and has widespread applications. For solid-rotor motors, the calculation and analysis of rotor total eddy current loss (TECL) are crucial in studying the factors causing such a loss and possible loss reduction methods. In this study, a new nonlinear analytical method considering the saturation of the rotor core is proposed to solve the fundamental magnetic field. The new method divides the time period into segments. The magnetic field distribution at any time is obtained using Maxwell equations. The eddy current losses in the copper layer and rotor core caused by the fundamental magnetic field are calculated. The surface eddy current losses in the copper layer and rotor core caused by harmonics are calculated using a 2D analytical method. TECL is determined by the sum of eddy current and surface eddy current losses. Coefficients are utilized to consider eddy, saturation, and end-region effects when calculating the rotor core TECL. The new method is verified using 3D FEM, and the results show the proposed method has higher accuracy than the original method. The errors of the rotor core and copper layer TECLs are less than 6 % and 7.3 % , respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The RNA chaperone Hfq acts as a global regulator of numerous biological processes, such as carbon/nitrogen metabolism and environmental adaptation in plant-associated diazotrophs; however, its target RNAs and the mechanisms underlying nitrogen fixation remain largely unknown. Here, we used enhanced UV cross-linking immunoprecipitation coupled with high-throughput sequencing to identify hundreds of Hfq-binding RNAs probably involved in nitrogen fixation, carbon substrate utilization, biofilm formation, and other functions. Collectively, these processes endow strain A1501 with the requisite capabilities to thrive in the highly competitive rhizosphere. Our findings revealed a previously uncharted landscape of Hfq target genes. Notable among these is nifM , encoding an isomerase necessary for nitrogenase reductase solubility; amtB , encoding an ammonium transporter; oprB , encoding a carbohydrate porin; and cheZ , encoding a chemotaxis protein. Furthermore, we identified more than 100 genes of unknown function, which expands the potential direct regulatory targets of Hfq in diazotrophs. Our data showed that Hfq directly interacts with the mRNA of regulatory proteins (RsmA, AlgU, and NifA), regulatory ncRNA RsmY, and other potential targets, thus revealing the mechanistic links in nitrogen fixation and other metabolic pathways., Importance: Numerous experimental approaches often face challenges in distinguishing between direct and indirect effects of Hfq-mediated regulation. New technologies based on high-throughput sequencing are increasingly providing insight into the global regulation of Hfq in gene expression. Here, enhanced UV cross-linking immunoprecipitation coupled with high-throughput sequencing was employed to identify the Hfq-binding sites and potential targets in the root-associated Pseudomonas stutzeri A1501 and identify hundreds of novel Hfq-binding RNAs that are predicted to be involved in metabolism, environmental adaptation, and nitrogen fixation. In particular, we have shown Hfq interactions with various regulatory proteins' mRNA and their potential targets at the posttranscriptional level. This study not only enhances our understanding of Hfq regulation but, importantly, also provides a framework for addressing integrated regulatory network underlying root-associated nitrogen fixation., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Division of labor, where subpopulations perform complementary tasks simultaneously within an assembly, characterizes major evolutionary transitions of cooperation in certain cases. Currently, the mechanism and significance of mediating the interaction between different cell types during the division of labor, remain largely unknown. Here, we investigated the molecular mechanism and ecological function of a policing system for optimizing the division of labor in Bacillus velezensis SQR9. During biofilm formation, cells differentiated into the extracellular matrix (ECM)-producers and cheater-like nonproducers. ECM-producers were also active in the biosynthesis of genomic island-governed toxic bacillunoic acids (BAs) and self-resistance; while the nonproducers were sensitive to this antibiotic and could be partially eliminated. Spo0A was identified to be the co-regulator for triggering both ECM production and BAs synthesis/immunity. Besides its well-known regulation of ECM secretion, Spo0A activates acetyl-CoA carboxylase to produce malonyl-CoA, which is essential for BAs biosynthesis, thereby stimulating BAs production and self-immunity. Finally, the policing system not only excluded ECM-nonproducing cheater-like individuals but also improved the production of other public goods such as protease and siderophore, consequently, enhancing the population stability and ecological fitness under stress conditions and in the rhizosphere. This study provides insights into our understanding of the maintenance and evolution of microbial cooperation., Competing Interests: RH, JS, ZX, YC, YL, DW, HF, WX, QS, NZ, RZ No competing interests declared, (© 2023, Huang et al.)

Bacteria have evolved multiple signal transduction systems that permit an adaptation to changing environmental conditions. Chemoreceptor-based signaling cascades are very abundant in bacteria and are among the most complex signaling systems. Currently, our knowledge on the molecular features that determine signal recognition at chemoreceptors is limited. Chemoreceptor McpA of Bacillus velezensis SQR9 has been shown to mediate chemotaxis to a broad range of different ligands. Here we show that its ligand binding domain binds directly 13 chemoattractants. We provide support that organic acids and amino acids bind to the membrane-distal and membrane-proximal module of the dCache domain, respectively, whereas binding of sugars/sugar alcohols occurred at both modules. Structural biology studies combined with site-directed mutagenesis experiments have permitted to identify 10 amino acid residues that play key roles in the recognition of multiple ligands. Residues in membrane-distal and membrane-proximal regions were central for sensing organic acids and amimo acids, respectively, whereas all residues participated in sugars/sugar alcohol sensing. Most characterized chemoreceptors possess a narrow and well-defined ligand spectrum. We propose here a sensing mechanism involving both dCache modules that allows the integration of very diverse signals by a single chemoreceptor.

Chemical nitrogen (N) fertilization is customary for increasing N inputs in agroecosystems. The nutritional effects of N fertilization on plants and soil microbes have been well studied. However, the signaling effects of N fertilization on rhizosphere plant-microbe interactions and the following feedback to plant performance remain unknown. Here, we investigated the effect of different N fertilizations on the behavior of the plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) Bacillus velezensis SQR9 in the cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) rhizosphere. Moderate N fertilization promoted higher rhizosphere colonization of strain SQR9 than insufficient or excessive N input. Nitric oxide (NO) produced through the denitrification process under N fertilization was identified as the signaling molecule that dominates the root colonization of PGPR, and this effect could be neutralized by the NO-specific scavenger 2-(4-carboxyphenyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxy-3-oxide. Gene expression analysis demonstrated that NO regulated the biofilm formation of strain SQR9 by affecting the synthesis of extracellular matrix γ-polyglutamic acid, consequently impacting its root colonization. Finally, we demonstrated that moderate N fertilization-modulated enhanced PGPR root colonization can significantly promote plant growth and nitrogen use efficiency. This study provides insights into our understanding of the beneficial rhizosphere plant-microbe interactions under N fertilization and suggests that rational fertilization is critical to promote beneficial rhizosphere interactions for sustainable agricultural production., (© American Society of Plant Biologists 2021. All rights reserved. For permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Probiotic Bacillus colonization of plant root surfaces has been reported to improve its beneficial effect. Chemotaxis, adhesion, aggregation, and biofilm formation are the four steps of root colonization by plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPRs). Compared with the other three well-studied processes, adhesion of PGPRs is less known. In this study, using mutant strains deleted for potential adhesin genes in PGPR strain Bacillus velezensis SQR9, adherence to both cucumber root surface and abiotic surface by those strains was evaluated. Results showed that deletion mutations Δ lytB , Δ V529_10500 , Δ fliD , Δ yhaN , and Δ sacB reduced the adhesion to root surfaces, while, among them, only Δ fliD had significant defects in adhesion to abiotic surfaces (glass and polystyrene). In addition, B. velevzensis SQR9 mutants defective in adhesion to root surfaces showed a deficiency in rhizosphere colonization. Among the encoded proteins, FliD and YhaN played vital roles in root adhesion. This research systematically explored the potential adhesins in a well-studied PGPR strain and also indicated that adhesion progress was required for root colonization, which will help to enhance rhizosphere colonization and beneficial function of PGPRs in agricultural production.[Formula: see text] Copyright © 2021 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license.

Plant hormones have been recently shown to exert an indirect influence on the recruitment of plant-associated microbiomes. However, it remains unclear the extent to which the disruption of the ethylene (ET) signaling pathway affects the assembly and functioning of plant-root microbiomes. In this study, the Never-ripe tomato mutant ( Nr ) was profiled for differences compared to the wild type (control). Tomato plants were subjected to root exudate profiling and the characterization of bacterial and fungal communities. Compared to the control, Nr revealed differences in the composition of root exudates, including lower amounts of esculetin, gallic acid, L-fucose, eicosapentaenoic acid, and higher amounts of β-aldehyde. Interestingly, Nr significantly differed in the composition and functioning of the rhizosphere bacterial community. We also identified the taxa that occurred at relatively higher abundances in Nr , including the genus Lysobacter , which displayed a significant negative correlation with changes in eicosapentaenoic acid and esculetin, and a significant positive correlation with changes in β-aldehyde. Taken together, our study provides evidence that a mutation in the ET receptor exerts predictable changes in the root-associated microbial taxa of tomato plants. These indirect effects can potentially be explored towards new strategies to engineer beneficial plant microbiomes via targeted changes in plant genetics and physiology.

The signal molecules in root exudates that are sensed by plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are critical to regulate their root colonization. Phosphorylated Spo0A is an important global transcriptional regulator that controls colonization and sporulation in Bacillus species. In this study, we found that deletion of kinD from PGPR strain Bacillus amyloliquefaciens SQR9, encoding an original phosphate donor of Spo0A, resulted in reduced biofilm formation in root exudates compared with the wild-type strain, indicating that KinD is responsible for sensing root exudates. Ligands of B. amyloliquefaciens SQR9 KinD in cucumber root exudates were determined by both the nontargeted ligand fishing method and the targeted surface plasmon resonance detection method. In total, we screened 80 compounds in root exudates for binding to KinD and found that spermine and guanosine could bind to KinD with dissociation constant values of 213 and 51 μΜ, respectively. In addition, calcium l-threonate, N -acetyl-l-aspartic acid, sodium decanoic acid, and parabanic acid could also bind weakly to KinD. The three-dimensional binding models were then constructed to demonstrate the interactions between the root-secreted signals and KinD. It was observed that exogenous spermine reduced the wrinkles of biofilm when kinD was deleted, indicating that KinD might be involved in sensing root-secreted spermine and stabilizing biofilm in response to this negative effector. This study provided a new insight of interaction between a rhizobacterial sensor and root-secreted signals.

Bacillus spp. produce a wide range of secondary metabolites, including antibiotics, which have been well studied for their antibacterial properties but less so as signaling molecules. Previous results indicated that the lipopeptide bacillomycin D is a signal that promotes biofilm development of Bacillus velezensis SQR9. However, the mechanism behind this signaling is still unknown. Here, we show that bacillomycin D promotes biofilm development by promoting the acquisition of iron. Bacillomycin D promotes the transcription of the iron ABC transporter FeuABC by binding to its transcription factor, Btr. These actions increase intracellular iron concentration and activate the KinB-Spo0A-SinI-SinR-dependent synthesis of biofilm matrix components. We demonstrate that this strategy is beneficial for biofilm development and competition with the Pseudomonas fluorescens PF-5. Our results unravel an antibiotic-dependent signaling mechanism that links iron acquisition to biofilm development and ecological competition., (Copyright © 2019 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Chemotaxis-mediated response to root exudates, initiated by sensing-specific ligands through methyl-accepting chemotaxis proteins (MCP), is very important for root colonization and beneficial functions of plant-growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR). Systematic identification of chemoattractants in complex root exudates and their sensing chemoreceptors in PGPR is helpful for enhancing their recruitment and colonization. In this study, 39 chemoattractants and 5 chemorepellents, including amino acids, organic acids, and sugars, were identified from 98 tested components of root exudates for the well-studied PGPR strain Bacillus amyloliquefaciens SQR9. Interestingly, mutant stain SQR9Δ8mcp, with all eight putative chemoreceptors completely deleted, lost the chemotactic responses to those 44 compounds. Gene complementation, chemotaxis assay, and isothermal titration calorimetry analysis revealed that McpA was mainly responsible for sensing organic acids and amino acids, while McpC was mostly for amino acids. These two chemoreceptors may play important roles in the rhizosphere chemotaxis of SQR9. In contrast, the B. amyloliquefaciens-unique chemoreceptor McpR was specifically responsible for arginine, and residues Tyr-78, Thr-131, and Asp-162 were critical for arginine binding. This study not only deepened our insights into PGPR-root interaction but also provided useful information to enhance the rhizosphere chemotaxis mobility and colonization of PGPR, which will promote their application in agricultural production.

Colonization of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) is critical for exerting their beneficial effects on the plant. Root exudation is a major factor influencing the colonization of both PGPR and soil-borne pathogens within the root system. However, the tripartite interaction of PGPR, plant roots, and soil-borne pathogens is poorly understood. We screened root exudates for signals that mediate tripartite interactions in the rhizosphere. In a split-root system, we found that root colonization of PGPR strain Bacillus amyloliquefaciens SQR9 on cucumber root was significantly enhanced by preinoculation with SQR9 or the soil-borne pathogen Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cucumerinum, whereas root colonization of F. oxysporum f. sp. cucumerinum was reduced upon preinoculation with SQR9 or F. oxysporum f. sp. cucumerinum. Root exudates from cucumbers preinoculated with SQR9 or F. oxysporum f. sp. cucumerinum were analyzed and 109 compounds were identified. Correlation analysis highlighted eight compounds that significantly correlated with root colonization of SQR9 or F. oxysporum f. sp. cucumerinum. After performing colonization experiments with these chemicals, raffinose and tryptophan were shown to positively affect the root colonization of F. oxysporum f. sp. cucumerinum and SQR9, respectively. These results indicate that cucumber roots colonized by F. oxysporum f. sp. cucumerinum or SQR9 increase root secretion of tryptophan to strengthen further colonization of SQR9. In contrast, these colonized cucumber roots reduce raffinose secretion to inhibit root colonization of F. oxysporum f. sp. cucumerinum.

Background: Bacillus amyloliquefaciens SQR9 is a plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) with outstanding abilities to enhance plant growth and to control soil-borne diseases. Root exudates is known to play important roles in plant-microbe interactions. To explore the rhizosphere interactions and plant-beneficial characteristics of SQR9, the complete genome sequence as well as the transcriptome in response to maize root exudates under biofilm-forming conditions were elucidated., Results: Maize root exudates stimulated SQR9 biofilm formation in liquid culture, which is known to be positively correlated with enhanced root colonization. Transcriptional profiling via RNA-sequencing of SQR9 under static conditions indicated that, at 24 h post-inoculation, root exudates stimulated the expression of metabolism-relevant genes, while at 48 h post-inoculation, genes related to extracellular matrix production (tapA-sipW-tasA operon) were activated by root exudates. The individual components in maize root exudates that stimulated biofilm formation included glucose, citric acid, and fumaric acid, which either promoted the growth of SQR9 cells or activated extracellular matrix production. In addition, numerous groups of genes involved in rhizosphere adaptation and in plant-beneficial traits, including plant polysaccharide utilization, cell motility and chemotaxis, secondary antibiotics synthesis clusters, and plant growth promotion-relevant, were identified in the SQR9 genome. These genes also appeared to be induced by the maize root exudates., Conclusions: Enhanced biofilm formation of B. amyloliquefaciens SQR9 by maize root exudates could mainly be attributed to promoting cell growth and to inducing extracellular matrix production. The genomic analysis also highlighted the elements involved in the strain's potential as a PGPR. This study provides useful information for understanding plant-rhizobacteria interactions and hence for promoting the agricultural applications of this strain.

Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain SQR9, isolated from the cucumber rhizosphere, suppresses the growth of Fusarium oxysporum in the cucumber rhizosphere and protects the host plant from pathogen invasion through efficient root colonization. In the Gram-positive bacterium Bacillus, the response regulator DegU regulates genetic competence, swarming motility, biofilm formation, complex colony architecture, and protease production. In this study, we report that stepwise phosphorylation of DegU in B. amyloliquefaciens SQR9 can influence biocontrol activity by coordinating multicellular behavior and regulating the synthesis of antibiotics. Results from in vitro and in situ experiments and quantitative PCR (qPCR) studies demonstrate the following: (i) that the lowest level of phosphorylated DegU (DegU∼P) (the degQ mutation) impairs complex colony architecture, biofilm formation, colonization activities, and biocontrol efficiency of Fusarium wilt disease but increases the production of macrolactin and bacillaene, and (ii) that increasing the level of DegU∼P by degQ and degSU overexpression significantly improves complex colony architecture, biofilm formation, colonization activities, production of the antibiotics bacillomycin D and difficidin, and efficiency of biocontrol of Fusarium wilt disease. The results offer a new strategy to enhance the biocontrol efficacy of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens SQR9.