Key Takeaways & Executive Findings
- •• Functionalized graphene at 25 mg/L significantly increased the height and root length of Vicia faba seedlings. • Treatment with functionalized graphene enhanced the richness and diversity of both bacterial and fungal communities in the rhizosphere soil. • The abundance of nitrogen-cycling bacteria (Hydrogenophaga, Sphingomonas, Nitrosomonadaceae) was altered, and beneficial fungi (Clonostachys, Dimorphospora) increased while phosphorus-solubilizing Basilicum decreased. • Soil pH, organic matter, and total phosphorus were the main factors driving changes in microbial community composition, ultimately promoting plant growth.
Abstract
The effect of functionalized graphene on the growth and development of Vicia faba L. was investigated by analyzing its impact on the composition and diversity of the microbial community in rhizosphere peat soil. Seedlings of V. faba planted in this peat soil were treated with either distilled water (CK) or 25 mg·L−1 (G25) of functionalized graphene solution. Results showed that the height and root length of V. faba seedlings in the G25 group were significantly larger than those in CK group. The microbial community was analyzed by amplifying and sequencing the 16S rRNA gene V3–V4 region of bacteria and internal transcribed spacer region of fungi in rhizosphere soil using Illumina MiSeq technology. Alpha and beta diversity analysis indicated that functionalized graphene increased the richness and diversity of bacteria and fungi in the V. faba rhizosphere peat soil. The abundances of three nitrogen cycling-related bacteria, Hydrogenophaga, Sphingomonas and Nitrosomonadaceae, were also altered after treatment with the functionalized graphene. The relative abundance of Basilicum, related to soil phosphorus solubilization, decreased in the fungal community, while the relative abundance of Clonostachys and Dimorphospora, which exhibited strong biological control over numerous fungal plant pathogens, nematodes and insects, increased in the soil after functionalized graphene treatment. Redundancy analysis revealed that the potential of hydrogen (pH), organic matter, and total phosphorus contributed the most to the changes in bacterial and fungal community composition in the rhizosphere soil. Overall, our findings suggested that the addition of functionalized graphene altered the relative abundances of nitrogen and phosphorus cycling-related microorganisms in peat soil, promoting changes in the physicochemical properties of the soil and ultimately leading to the improved growth of V. faba plants.
1. Introduction
Functionalized graphene has a large specific surface area, stable structure and excellent adsorption properties[1]. Due to these physicochemical properties, researchers are beginning to use functionalized graphene in agriculture, for example, as a retarder for potassium nitrate fertilizers or as a carrier for pesticides[2-3]. Kamal et al[4] discovered that functionalized graphene treatment accelerated the root and above-ground growth of seedlings in two plants, cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) and periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus), but did not explain the action mechanism of functionalized graphene to promote the growth of both plants.
So far, most research has focused on the effects of functionalized graphene on plant growth from the perspective of molecular or physiological data. For instance, a recent study showed that functionalized graphene enhanced root respiration, leading to increased plant root growth based on the transcriptome data[5]. In maize, treating the roots with 25 mg/L of functionalized graphene increased the levels of ammonium ions (NH4+) and potassium (K+) in the rhizosphere soil, and upregulated the expression of nitrogen and potassium metabolism genes[6]. In tomato roots, functionalized graphene elevated the root auxin content and induced the expression of root development-related genes[7]. Another study indicated that functionalized graphene could enhance the photosynthetic capacity of leaves, increase the yield and morphological characters of roots and leaves, improve the protein and amino acid contents of leaves in Aloe vera.
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CHEN Zhi-wen, REN Jing, QIAO Jun, ZHAO Jian-guo, LI Jing-wei, LIU Ze-hui, LI Wei-jia, XING Bao-yan, ZHANG Jin, NIE Hui (2025). Influence of functionalized graphene on the bacterial and fungal diversity of Vicia faba rhizosphere soil. SinoTechIntel Verified Research. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1872-5805(NCM2024-39-06-13)
Research & Educational Purpose Only:The translations, structured abstracts, analytical annotations, and data reports provided by SinoTechIntel are intended exclusively for academic research, internal corporate R&D, and educational benchmarking. They do not constitute formal engineering, chemical safety, legal, or professional advice.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the effect of functionalized graphene on Vicia faba growth?
The study found that treatment with 25 mg/L functionalized graphene significantly increased the height and root length of Vicia faba seedlings compared to the control, indicating a positive effect on plant growth.
How does functionalized graphene affect the microbial community in rhizosphere soil?
Functionalized graphene increased the richness and diversity of both bacterial and fungal communities in the rhizosphere peat soil. It altered the abundance of nitrogen-cycling bacteria and beneficial fungi, while decreasing phosphorus-solubilizing fungi.
What are the key soil properties influencing microbial community changes?
Redundancy analysis revealed that soil pH, organic matter, and total phosphorus were the main factors contributing to changes in bacterial and fungal community composition in the rhizosphere soil.
Which specific microbial groups were affected by functionalized graphene?
The abundances of nitrogen-cycling bacteria Hydrogenophaga, Sphingomonas, and Nitrosomonadaceae were altered. In fungi, the relative abundance of Basilicum decreased, while Clonostachys and Dimorphospora increased.
What is the potential application of functionalized graphene in agriculture?
Functionalized graphene could be used as a soil amendment to promote plant growth by modulating beneficial microbial communities and improving soil properties, though further research is needed for field applications.
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