Characterization of the Diversity of Microbial Communities in the Rhizosphere of Solanum betaceum in Response to Inoculation with Microbial Consortia Under Cultivation Condition

Bioinoculation with native or introduced microorganisms is a promising alternative to using synthetic chemicals in agriculture, although its impact on the microbial communities of the rhizosphere is still poorly understood. This study analyzed the microbial community of the rhizosphere of Solanum betaceum (tree tomato) over 120 days, using a metagenomic approach to evaluate microbial diversity and the persistence of Trichoderma spp. through PCR. The predominant phyla identified were Pseudomonadota and Actinomycetota, and the most abundant genera were Streptomyces, Nocardioides, Bradyrhizobium, Sphingomonas, Rhodanobacter, and Micromonospora. While the microbial composition changed over time, diversity indices did not show significant differences before and after inoculation, and the establishment of Trichoderma spp. in the rhizosphere was not observed. These findings provide insight into the complex interactions between residents and introduced microorganisms, offering a basis for future studies. The results suggest that frequent inoculation alone was insufficient to change the diversity of rhizosphere microbial communities noticeably. It is recommended that research be expanded to other geographical conditions to deepen the understanding of the microbial profile of the S. betaceum rhizosphere and its application in different crops.