Pseudomonas-Rahnella native rhizosphere SynCom for Artemisia argyi phytoremediation

A simplified, native rhizosphere synthetic microbial community (SynCom) pairing a Pseudomonas isolate with a Rahnella isolate, assembled by a top-down design from rhizobacteria isolated from cadmium (Cd)-contaminated agricultural soil to partner with the perennial medicinal plant Artemisia argyi. The Pseudomonas-Rahnella pair shows strong Cd tolerance (~2 mM), plant growth-promotion (PGP) traits, and carbon fixation capacity, and was chosen for functional complementarity with minimal antagonism. Under Cd stress the SynCom establishes stable endophytic colonization (10-15%) rather than rhizoplane colonization, improving root biomass, Cd uptake, soil organic carbon accumulation, and essential-oil precursors, thereby coupling phytoremediation, productivity, and carbon sequestration.