Higher pH is associated with enhanced co‐occurrence network complexity, stability and nutrient cycling functions in the rice rhizosphere microbiome

Abstract The rice rhizosphere microbiota is crucial for crop yields and nutrient use efficiency. However, little is known about how co‐occurrence patterns, keystone taxa and functional gene assemblages relate to soil pH in the rice rhizosphere soils. Using shotgun metagenome analysis, the rice rhizosphere microbiome was investigated across 28 rice fields in east‐central China. At higher pH sites, the taxonomic co‐occurrence network of rhizosphere soils was more complex and compact, as defined by higher average degree, graph density and complexity. Network stability was greatest at medium pH (6.5 < pH < 7.5), followed by high pH (7.5 < pH). Keystone taxa were more abundant at higher pH and correlated significantly with key ecosystem functions. Overall functional genes involved in C, N, P and S cycling were at a higher relative abundance in higher pH rhizosphere soils, excepting C degradation genes (e.g. key genes involved in starch, cellulose, chitin and lignin degradation). Our results suggest that the rice rhizosphere soil microbial network is more complex and stable at higher pH, possibly indicating increased efficiency of nutrient cycling. These observations may indicate routes towards more efficient soil management and understanding of the potential effects of soil acidification on the rice rhizosphere system.