The Impact of Nanoparticles and Molecular Forms of TiO on the Rhizosphere of Plants in the Example of Common Wheat ( L.)-Shifts in Microbiome Structure and Predicted Microbial Metabolic Functions

This study investigated the effects of various titanium nanoparticles (TiONPs) on the structure, function, and trophic levels of the wheat rhizobiome. In contrast to the typically toxic effects of small nanoparticles (~10 nm), this research focused on molecular TiO and larger nanoparticles, as follows: medium-sized (68 nm, NPs1) and large (>100 nm, NPs2). The results demonstrated significant yet diverse impacts of different TiO forms on the rhizosphere microbiota. Large TiONPs2 and molecular TiO adversely affected the bacteriobiome and mycobiome, leading to an increase in autotrophic microbial groups. In contrast, medium-sized TiONPs1 shifted the microbiome toward chemoheterotrophy, promoting plant growth-associated bacteria, fungal saprotrophs, and potential phytopathogens, suggesting a beneficial r-strategy within the rhizosphere. Other treatments induced oligotrophic conditions, resulting in a less flexible rhizobiome with diminished root associations but an increased abundance of spp. Structural modelling revealed that even minor changes in operational taxonomic units (OTUs) could significantly alter the microbiota's metabolic potential. These findings highlight the importance of further research to optimize nanoparticle applications for sustainable agriculture.