Comparative Metagenomic Analysis of Bacterial Communities Isolated from Artemisia judaica Cultivated in Central Region of Saudi Arabia Based on 16S rRNA

RHIZOSPHERE, which is the soil region influenced by plant root exudates, is a critical interface for understanding the microbial communities associated with plant growth and health. Using high-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA, we examined the taxonomic diversity and composition of the bacterial communities present in the rhizospheric soil of central Saudi Arabia. Our analysis revealed a rich and diverse bacterial community that has adapted to the arid conditions of desert ecosystems. These taxonomic assignments provided insights into the predominant phyla and genera, shedding light on the microbial ecology of the rhizosphere in this extreme environment. In this study, two soil samples (EC,1.1 dSm‐1 and pH 7.4), collected from rhizospheric zone (TCR600) and lower shoot surface (TCS400) of Artemisia Judaica plants, were compared. The TCR600 sample had a GC (guanine cytosine) content of 54% and 61,489 operational taxonomic units (OTUs). The TCR600 sample displayed a broader spectrum of values along the first principal component, indicating higher bacterial diversity within this sample set than that of TCS400. 16sRNA (ribonucleic acid) sequencing revealed the presence of 17 phyla in each sample; however, the TCR600 samples showed pronounced differences of 63.24% based on taxonomic diversity and relative abundance. Bacillus (38.721%) was the dominant genus in TCR600, followed by Pseudomonas (20.251%). This study also elucidates the potential functional roles of these bacteria in nutrient cycling, stress tolerance, and plant-microbe interactions. These findings contribute to our understanding of ecological dynamics within the rhizospheric zone and its nearby regions and offer implications for sustainable agricultural practices in arid regions.