sulfur-cycling
Sulfur cycling refers to the biological and chemical processes by which sulfur moves through ecosystems, including its uptake, assimilation, and release by living organisms and soil microbes. In plant science, sulfur is an essential macronutrient required for the synthesis of amino acids, proteins, and secondary metabolites, making its availability in the soil directly tied to plant growth and stress responses. Understanding how plants acquire and metabolize sulfur—and how microbial communities transform sulfur compounds in the rhizosphere—is critical for improving crop nutrition and soil health.
open_in_new WikipediaPubMed · 2026-04-15
Scientists sequenced the full genome of a soil bacterium called Methylorubrum thiocyanatum VRI7-A4, uncovering how it oxidizes sulfur compounds and promotes plant growth while tolerating environmental stressors. The findings suggest this microbe could be harnessed to improve soil health and boost crop performance naturally.
The bacterium oxidizes thiosulfate to sulfate in the presence of methanol or succinate, demonstrating versatile mixotrophic sulfur metabolism
It showed elevated rhodanese enzyme activity at 334.20 nmol/min, indicating strong sulfur detoxification capacity
Whole-genome analysis confirmed genomic features linked to both plant growth promotion and environmental stress resilience