The rice internal clock controls soil microbes to match nitrogen supply with plant needs

The synchronization of microbial activity with plant nitrogen uptake is driven by the rice circadian clock component Nhd1.

• Nhd1 regulates a rhythmic pattern of root exudation, with quercetin 3-gentiobioside peaking during the day.
• This rhythmic exudation enhances microbial nitrogen-cycling gene expression, increasing ammonium availability.
• The alignment of microbial nitrogen turnover with plant nitrogen demand may improve nitrogen use efficiency.
• Field trials indicated that a microbial community engineered to match the diurnal nitrogen release pattern resulted in higher grain yield.
• The benefits of this synchronized microbial community were more pronounced in rice cultivars with weaker Nhd1 alleles.

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