Phyllosphere microbiology with special reference to diversity and plant genotype

Abstract

Summary The phyllosphere represents the habitat provided by the aboveground parts of plants, and on a global scale supports a large and complex microbial community. Microbial interactions in the phyllosphere can affect the fitness of plants in natural communities, the productivity of agricultural crops, and the safety of horticultural produce for human consumption. The structure of phyllosphere communities reflects immigration, survival and growth of microbial colonists, which is influenced by numerous environmental factors in addition to leaf physico‐chemical properties. The recent use of culture‐independent techniques has demonstrated considerable previously unrecognized diversity in phyllosphere bacterial communities. Furthermore, there is significant recent evidence that plant genotype can play a major role in determining the structure of phyllosphere microbial communities. The main aims of this review are: (i) to discuss the diversity of phyllosphere microbial populations; (ii) to consider the processes by which microbes colonize the phyllosphere; (iii) to address the leaf characteristics and environmental factors that determine the survival and growth of colonists; (iv) to discuss microbial adaptations that allow establishment in the phyllosphere habitat and (v) to evaluate evidence for plant genotypic control of phyllosphere communities. Finally, we suggest approaches and priority areas for future research on phyllosphere microbiology.

The Genotype of the Calcium/Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase Gene ( CCaMK ) Determines Bacterial Community Diversity in Rice Roots under Paddy and Upland Field Conditions

“…Surprisingly, phylogenetic analyses revealed almost no Alphaproteobacteria in PR or UR plants (Table 4), despite their being a ubiquitous bacterial group in common environments, including the rhizosphere and phytosphere (8,19,48), as observed in PD and UD plants (Table 4). This low abundance of Alphaproteobacteria in R plants was mainly caused by population shifts of the Sphingomonadales and Rhizobiales among the genotypes (Fig.…”

“…Diverse microorganisms reside in and on plants as endophytes and epiphytes (11,29,35,48). These symbiotic microbes assist plants in the uptake of nutrients (22), scavenge toxic compounds (5), and exert considerable influence upon the overall health of host plants (6).…”

“…Similarly, the negative control of the degree of nodulation and mycorrhization of roots is also regulated through a common signaling system, so-called autoregulation of nodulation (42). These findings raise the question of whether molecular components regulating RN and AM symbioses also affect other symbiotic microbes in the phytosphere.Diverse microorganisms reside in and on plants as endophytes and epiphytes (11,29,35,48). These symbiotic microbes assist plants in the uptake of nutrients (22), scavenge toxic compounds (5), and exert considerable influence upon the overall health of host plants (6).…”

The science, development, and commercialization of postharvest biocontrol products

“…Soil type and plant genotype are the major parameters influencing the rhizosphere microbiome (Berg and Smalla, 2009;de Bruijn, 2013) whereas plant species and genotype are the major factors involved in defining the composition of the phyllosphere microbiome (Massart et al, 2015b). Whipps et al (2008) published a comprehensive review of phyllosphere microbiology with special reference to microbial diversity and plant genotypes. The authors stressed the need for studies on the functional consequences of changes in microbial community structure and the mechanisms by which plants control the microbial populations on their aerial plant surfaces.…”

Establishment of Antifungal Phyllospheric Bacteria in Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)

“…The microbial communities of leaves are diverse and include many different genera of bacteria, filamentous fungi, yeasts and algae which are important for plant health and growth (Whipps et al, 2008;Vorholt, 2012).…”