Application of a microbial consortium improves the growth of Camellia sinensis and influences the indigenous rhizosphere bacterial communities

Aims To investigate the role of a microbial consortium in influencing of Camellia sinensis growth and rhizosphere bacteria microbial community structure. Methods and Results Based on glasshouse trials, the microbial consortium TCM was selected for a field trial. TCM significantly increased bud density (67 center dot 53%), leaf area (31 center dot 15%) and hundred-bud weight (22 center dot 5%) compared with the control treatment (P < 0 center dot 01) during 180 days. Furthermore, TCM-treated soil showed a significant increase (P < 0 center dot 05) in organic matter (60 center dot 89%), total nitrogen (66 center dot 22%), total phosphorus (3 center dot 34%), available phosphorus (3 center dot 82%), available potassium (9 center dot 24%) and 2-3 mm water-stable aggregates (77 center dot 93%). Molecular ecological network analysis of the rhizobacteria indicated an increase in modularity and the number of community, connection and nodes after TCM application. Several plant growth-promoting bacteria were categorized as hubs or indicators, such as Haliangium, Catenulispora and Gemmatimonas, and showed intensive connections with other bacteria. Conclusions The TCM consortium enhances the effectiveness of soil mineral nutrition, influences the indigenous rhizobacterial community, alters the rhizobacterial network structure in the rhizosphere and promotes the growth of C. sinensis. Significance and Impact of the Study The TCM growth-promoting mechanism was closely related to rhizosphere bacterial diversity; therefore, strengthening rhizobacterial interactions may help promote C. sinensis growth, which could be a sustainable approach for improving C. sinensis growth and health in tea plantations.