Ginsenosides in root exudates ofPanax notoginsengdrive the change of soil microbiota through carbon source different utilization

Background and aims Ginsenosides are the main bioactive components ofPanaxplants which could be secreted by root and show autotoxicity to root cells or promote the growth of soil-borne pathogens. However, comprehensive understanding of the effect of ginsenosides on soil microbiota is still lacking. Methods The ginsenosides in root exudates ofP. notoginsengwere quantified and exogenous ginsenosides on soil microbiota were tested using 16S rRNA and ITS gene tag sequencing. Then its underlying mechanism was deciphered through studying effects of ginsenosides on growth of the ginsenoside-modified culturable fungi and bacteria as well as the relationships between these fungi and bacteria. Results Exogenous root exudates and mixtures of Rg(1) + Rb-1 + Rd had similar ability to drive the change of soil microbiota. Further studies demonstrated that Rg(1) + Rb-1 + Rd mixture could enrich or suppress special fungi and bacteria to modify soil community through differential utilization of carbon source during the early stage (30 days), followed by antagonism between ginsenoside-modified fungi and bacteria to determine soil microbial community modification at later stage (60 and 90 days). Conclusions Ginsenosides were the main substances in exogenous root exudates ofP. notoginsengthat drove the change in soil microbiota, mediating the special interaction between the plant and the microbiota.