Graphical Abstract Highlights d Arabidopsis roots request cell damage to mount a strong, localized immune response d Damaged cells upregulate pattern-recognition receptor expression in their neighbors d Endodermal barriers compartmentalize immune responses in differentiated cell-types d Damage-gating can minimize immune responses against non-pathogenic root colonizers

Plants grown in natural soil are colonized by phylogenetically structured communities of microbes known as the microbiota. Individual microbes can activate microbe-associated molecular pattern (MAMP)-triggered immunity (MTI), which limits pathogen proliferation but curtails plant growth, a phenomenon known as the growth–defence trade-off. Here, we report that, in monoassociations, 41% (62 out of 151) of taxonomically diverse root bacterial commensals suppress Arabidopsis thaliana root growth inhibition (RGI) triggered by immune-stimulating MAMPs or damage-associated molecular patterns. Amplicon sequencing of bacterial 16S rRNA genes reveals that immune activation alters the profile of synthetic communities (SynComs) comprising RGI-non-suppressive strains, whereas the presence of RGI-suppressive strains attenuates this effect. Root colonization by SynComs with different complexities and RGI-suppressive activities alters the expression of 174 core host genes, with functions related to root development and nutrient transport. Furthermore, RGI-suppressive SynComs specifically downregulate a subset of immune-related genes. Precolonization of plants with RGI-suppressive SynComs, or mutation of one commensal-downregulated transcription factor, MYB15, renders the plants more susceptible to opportunistic Pseudomonas pathogens. Our results suggest that RGI-non-suppressive and RGI-suppressive root commensals modulate host susceptibility to pathogens by either eliciting or dampening MTI responses, respectively. This interplay buffers the plant immune system against pathogen perturbation and defence-associated growth inhibition, ultimately leading to commensal–host homeostasis.

Lignin has enabled plants to colonize land, grow tall, transport water within their bodies, and protect themselves against various stresses. Consequently, this polyphenolic polymer, impregnating cellulosic plant cell walls, is the second most abundant polymer on Earth. Yet, despite its great physiological, ecological, and economical importance, our knowledge of lignin biosynthesis in vivo, especially the polymerization steps within the cell wall, remains vague—specifically, the respective roles of the two polymerizing enzymes classes, laccases and peroxidases. One reason for this lies in the very high numbers of laccases and peroxidases encoded by 17 and 73 homologous genes, respectively, in Arabidopsis. Here, we have focused on a specific lignin structure, the ring-like Casparian strips (CSs) within the root endodermis. By reducing candidate numbers using cellular resolution expression and localization data and by boosting stacking of mutants using CRISPR-Cas9, we mutated the majority of laccases in Arabidopsis in a nonuple mutant—essentially abolishing laccases with detectable endodermal expression. Yet, we were unable to detect even slight defects in CS formation. By contrast, we were able to induce a complete absence of CS formation in a quintuple peroxidase mutant. Our findings are in stark contrast to the strong requirement of xylem vessels for laccase action and indicate that lignin in different cell types can be polymerized in very distinct ways. We speculate that cells lignify differently depending on whether lignin is localized or ubiquitous and whether cells stay alive during and after lignification, as well as the composition of the cell wall.

Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) plants recognize insect eggs and activate the salicylic acid (SA) pathway. As a consequence, expression of defense genes regulated by the jasmonic acid (JA) pathway is suppressed and larval performance is enhanced. Cross talk between defense signaling pathways is common in plant-pathogen interactions, but the molecular mechanism mediating this phenomenon is poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that egg-induced SA/JA antagonism works independently of the APETALA2/ETHYLENE RESPONSE FACTOR (AP2/ERF) transcription factor ORA59, which controls the ERF branch of the JA pathway. In addition, treatment with egg extract did not enhance expression or stability of JASMONATE ZIM-domain transcriptional repressors, and SA/JA cross talk did not involve JASMONATE ASSOCIATED MYC2-LIKEs, which are negative regulators of the JA pathway. Investigating the stability of MYC2, MYC3, and MYC4, three basic helix-loop-helix transcription factors that additively control jasmonate-related defense responses, we found that egg extract treatment strongly diminished MYC protein levels in an SA-dependent manner. Furthermore, we identified WRKY75 as a novel and essential factor controlling SA/JA cross talk. These data indicate that insect eggs target the MYC branch of the JA pathway and uncover an unexpected modulation of SA/JA antagonism depending on the biological context in which the SA pathway is activated.

Highlights d Cell-specific expression of an immune receptor reveals general and specific responses d Immune signaling appears to separate into autonomous and non-autonomous branches d Immune response in some meristem cells causes meristem collapse and growth arrest d Mis-localized immune perception interferes with accommodation of commensal bacteria