盐生植物对盐渍土生物改良具有明显效果，然而我们发现“将盐分从土壤带走”这一机制并不能完全解释其生物改良效果。鉴于植物在遭受病害时会利用根际微生物组维系自身健康并且募集的功能菌群还可使同一土壤中的其它植物受益，我们推测其中一个原因可能是盐生植物根际微生物组在起作用。但是目前人们对盐生植物根际微生物组所知甚少，甚至对于一个基础问题“盐生植物根际微生物组有何特点？”都尚无答案。因此，本项目以盐生植物-根微生物组为研究对象，开展室内盆栽控制试验，综合利用纯培养方法、多组学技术与质谱检测手段，探析根际微生物组对盐生植物盐胁迫响应基因表达的影响；查明盐生植物根际微生物的功能群；揭示盐生植物根系分泌物对根际微生物驱动规律，从而明确盐胁迫下盐生植物与根际微生物组互作模式。研究成果将为根际微生物组在植物抗盐性研究领域打开新视角，对进一步利用盐生植物根际微生物组促进植物抗盐性提供科学依据。

Halophytes are considered as effective tool for improving the quality of saline soil; and “absorbing salt from soil” is the main mechanism involved in the process. However, we found this mechanism cannot fully explain the halophyte’s biological improvement effect. Given that plants utilize rhizosphere microbiome to optimize both nutrient acquisition and immunity in response to pathogen attack; and such accumulated plant-protective microbiota could protect future generations of plants against the pathogen. We speculate that the reason behind positive effect caused by halophytes may be due to their rhizosphere microbiome. Unfortunately, there is knowledge gap that limit our understanding of the halophyte’s rhizosphere microbiome. Even an answer to a question as simple as ‘what is the trait of it?’ remains unknown. Therefore, in this project, we will target on the biological process of halophytes and their rhizosphere microbiome in saline soil. Based on indoor simulations, by using multiple methods including pure culture, Illumina HiSeq sequencing and mass spectrometry detection method, the effect of rhizosphere microbiome on halophyte’s salt-responsive gene expression, and functional groups of rhizosphere microbiome and the driving root exudates will be investigated. We aim to decipher the interaction pattern between halophytes and their rhizosphere microbiome under salt stress. The outcomes will fill the theoretical gaps of rhizosphere microbiome in plant salt-resistance, which will provide fundamental basis for practice in using halophyte’s rhizosphere microbiome to facilitate durable plant production.