Root microbiome relates to plant host evolution in maize and other Poaceae

Abstract

Prokaryote-eukaryote interactions are primordial, but host selection of its bacterial community remains poorly understood. Because eukaryote evolution affects numerous traits shaping the ecology of their microbiome, we can expect that many evolutionary changes in the former will have the potential to impact on the composition of the latter. Consequently, the more phylogenetically distant the eukaryotic hosts, the more distinct their associated bacterial communities should be. We tested this with plants, by comparing the bacterial communities associated with maize genotypes or other Poaceae. 16S rRNA taxonomic microarray analysis showed that the genetic distance between rhizobacterial communities correlated significantly with the phylogenetic distance (derived from chloroplastic sequences) between Poaceae genotypes. This correlation was also significant when considering specific bacterial populations from all main bacterial divisions, instead of the whole rhizobacterial community. These results indicate that eukaryotic host's evolutionary history can be a significant factor shaping directly the assembly and composition of its associated bacterial compartment.

Alleviation of Abiotic and Biotic Stresses in Plants by Azospirillum

“…A broad taxonomic and functional diversity occurs in the plant rhizosphere (Bouffaud et al 2014 ) and may affect plant fi tness under stress condition (drought, salinity, pollutions, parasite attacks, etc., Table 19.1 ). PGPR are found in all clades of Proteobacteria especially in Alphaproteobacteria, Betaproteobacteria, and Gammaproteobacteria, and in Firmicutes such as in Actinobacteria.…”

Feed Your Friends: Do Plant Exudates Shape the Root Microbiome?

“…A correlation between phylogenetic host distance and rhizobiome clustering was described for Poaceae species [6], distant relatives of arabidopsis [7], rice varieties [3], and maize lines (Zea mays) [6], but not for closely related arabidopsis species and ecotypes [7]. Distinct rhizobiomes were also described for domesticated plants, such as barley, maize, agave (Agave sp.…”

Associations with rhizosphere bacteria can confer an adaptive advantage to plants

“…First, it is already known that plants shape their rhizosphere through exuded carbon and other metabolites 7,8 and that there is genetic variation in these traits 9 . This variation presumably contributes to an observed variation in rhizosphere communities 10–12 . Second, microbes in the rhizosphere are known to affect plant health by assisting with host nutrient acquisition 13 , protecting against biotic and abiotic stress 14,15 , and altering plant growth and physiology 16 .…”