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Thomas G, Kay WT, Fones HN. Life on a leaf: the epiphyte to pathogen continuum and interplay in the phyllosphere. BMC Biol 2024; 22:168. [PMID: 39113027 PMCID: PMC11304629 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-024-01967-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 08/01/2024] [Indexed: 08/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Epiphytic microbes are those that live for some or all of their life cycle on the surface of plant leaves. Leaf surfaces are a topologically complex, physicochemically heterogeneous habitat that is home to extensive, mixed communities of resident and transient inhabitants from all three domains of life. In this review, we discuss the origins of leaf surface microbes and how different biotic and abiotic factors shape their communities. We discuss the leaf surface as a habitat and microbial adaptations which allow some species to thrive there, with particular emphasis on microbes that occupy the continuum between epiphytic specialists and phytopathogens, groups which have considerable overlap in terms of adapting to the leaf surface and between which a single virulence determinant can move a microbial strain. Finally, we discuss the recent findings that the wheat pathogenic fungus Zymoseptoria tritici spends a considerable amount of time on the leaf surface, and ask what insights other epiphytic organisms might provide into this pathogen, as well as how Z. tritici might serve as a model system for investigating plant-microbe-microbe interactions on the leaf surface.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - William T Kay
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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Zhou H, Jia S, Gao Y, Li X, Lin Y, Yang F, Ni K. Characterization of phyllosphere endophytic lactic acid bacteria reveals a potential novel route to enhance silage fermentation quality. Commun Biol 2024; 7:117. [PMID: 38253824 PMCID: PMC10803313 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-05816-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
The naturally attached phyllosphere microbiota play a crucial role in plant-derived fermentation, but the structure and function of phyllosphere endophytes remain largely unidentified. Here, we reveal the diversity, specificity, and functionality of phyllosphere endophytes in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) through combining typical microbial culture, high-throughput sequencing, and genomic comparative analysis. In comparison to phyllosphere bacteria (PB), the fermentation of alfalfa solely with endophytes (EN) enhances the fermentation characteristics, primarily due to the dominance of specific lactic acid bacteria (LAB) such as Lactiplantibacillus, Weissella, and Pediococcus. The inoculant with selected endophytic LAB strains also enhances the fermentation quality compared to epiphytic LAB treatment. Especially, one key endophytic LAB named Pediococcus pentosaceus EN5 shows enrichment of genes related to the mannose phosphotransferase system (Man-PTS) and carbohydrate-metabolizing enzymes and higher utilization of carbohydrates. Representing phyllosphere, endophytic LAB shows great potential of promoting ensiling and provides a novel direction for developing microbial inoculant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongzhang Zhou
- College of Grassland Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Shangang Jia
- College of Grassland Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Yu Gao
- College of Grassland Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Xiaomei Li
- College of Grassland Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Yanli Lin
- College of Grassland Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Fuyu Yang
- College of Grassland Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
- College of Animal Science, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, China
| | - Kuikui Ni
- College of Grassland Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China.
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Wu D, Ma X, Meng Y, Cai R, Zhang X, Liu L, Deng L, Chen C, Wang F, Xu Q, He B, He M, Hu R, Zhen J, Han Y, He S, Xu L. Impact of nitrogen application and crop stage on epiphytic microbial communities on silage maize leaf surfaces. PeerJ 2023; 11:e16386. [PMID: 38025755 PMCID: PMC10656910 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.16386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to examine the impact of nitrogen (N) fertilization on phyllosphere microorganisms in silage maize (Zea mays) to enhance the production of high-quality silage. The effects of different N application rates (160, 240, and 320 kg ha-1) and maturity stages (flowering and dough stages) on microbial diversity, abundance and physiochemical properties of the leaf surfaces were evaluated in a field experiment. The results showed that N application rates did not significantly impact the abundance of lactic acid bacteria (LAB), aerobic bacteria (AB), yeasts, or molds on the leaf surfaces. However, these microbes were more abundant during the flowering stage compared to the dough stage. Furthermore, the N application rate had no significant impact on inorganic phosphorus, soluble sugar, free amino acids, total phenolic content, and soluble protein concentrations, or pH levels on the leaf surfaces. Notably, these chemical indices were lower during the dough stage. The abundance of Pantoea decreased with higher N application rates, while that of other microorganisms did not changes significantly. The abundance of AB, LAB, yeasts, and molds were positively correlated with soluble sugar, soluble protein, inorganic phosphorus, free amino acids, and total phenolic concentrations on leaf surfaces. Moreover, water loss was negatively correlated with the abundance of AB, LAB, yeasts, and molds, whereas water retention capacity and stomatal density were positively correlated with microbial abundance. We recommend applying an optimal N rate of 160 kg ha-1 to silage maize and harvesting at the flowering stage is recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Wu
- College of Agronomy and Life Sciences, Zhaotong University, Zhaotong, Yunnan, China
| | - Xueling Ma
- College of Agronomy and Life Sciences, Zhaotong University, Zhaotong, Yunnan, China
| | - Yuanyan Meng
- College of Agronomy and Life Sciences, Zhaotong University, Zhaotong, Yunnan, China
| | - Rongjin Cai
- College of Agronomy and Life Sciences, Zhaotong University, Zhaotong, Yunnan, China
| | - Xiaolong Zhang
- College of Agronomy and Life Sciences, Zhaotong University, Zhaotong, Yunnan, China
| | - Li Liu
- College of Agronomy and Life Sciences, Zhaotong University, Zhaotong, Yunnan, China
| | - Lianping Deng
- College of Agronomy and Life Sciences, Zhaotong University, Zhaotong, Yunnan, China
| | - Changjing Chen
- College of Agronomy and Life Sciences, Zhaotong University, Zhaotong, Yunnan, China
| | - Fang Wang
- College of Agronomy and Life Sciences, Zhaotong University, Zhaotong, Yunnan, China
| | - Qingbiao Xu
- College of Agronomy and Life Sciences, Zhaotong University, Zhaotong, Yunnan, China
| | - Bin He
- College of Agronomy and Life Sciences, Zhaotong University, Zhaotong, Yunnan, China
| | - Mingzhu He
- College of Agronomy and Life Sciences, Zhaotong University, Zhaotong, Yunnan, China
| | - Rensheng Hu
- College of Agronomy and Life Sciences, Zhaotong University, Zhaotong, Yunnan, China
| | - Jinjing Zhen
- College of Agronomy and Life Sciences, Zhaotong University, Zhaotong, Yunnan, China
| | - Yan Han
- College of Agronomy and Life Sciences, Zhaotong University, Zhaotong, Yunnan, China
| | - Shaoshen He
- College of Agronomy and Life Sciences, Zhaotong University, Zhaotong, Yunnan, China
| | - Liuxing Xu
- College of Agronomy and Life Sciences, Zhaotong University, Zhaotong, Yunnan, China
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Huang S, Zha X, Fu G. Affecting Factors of Plant Phyllosphere Microbial Community and Their Responses to Climatic Warming-A Review. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:2891. [PMID: 37631103 PMCID: PMC10458011 DOI: 10.3390/plants12162891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2023] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
Phyllosphere microorganisms are not only an important part of plants, but also an important part of microorganisms. In this review, the function of phyllosphere microorganisms, the assembly mechanism of phyllosphere microorganisms, the driving factors of phyllosphere microbial community structure, and the effects of climate warming on phyllosphere microbial community structure were reviewed. Generally, phyllosphere microorganisms have a variety of functions (e.g., fixing nitrogen, promoting plant growth). Although selection and dispersal processes together regulate the assembly of phyllospheric microbial communities, which one of the ecological processes is dominant and how external disturbances alter the relative contributions of each ecological process remains controversial. Abiotic factors (e.g., climatic conditions, geographical location and physical and chemical properties of soil) and biological factors (e.g., phyllosphere morphological structure, physiological and biochemical characteristics, and plant species and varieties) can affect phyllosphere microbial community structure. However, the predominant factors affecting phyllosphere microbial community structure are controversial. Moreover, how climate warming affects the phyllosphere microbial community structure and its driving mechanism have not been fully resolved, and further relevant studies are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaolin Huang
- Lhasa Plateau Ecosystem Research Station, Key Laboratory of Ecosystem Network Observation and Modeling, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China;
| | - Xinjie Zha
- Xi’an University of Finance and Economics, Xi’an 710100, China;
| | - Gang Fu
- Lhasa Plateau Ecosystem Research Station, Key Laboratory of Ecosystem Network Observation and Modeling, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China;
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