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Janse van Rensburg H, Stengele K, Schlaeppi K. Understanding plant responsiveness to microbiome feedbacks. CURRENT OPINION IN PLANT BIOLOGY 2024; 81:102603. [PMID: 39024858 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbi.2024.102603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2024] [Revised: 06/28/2024] [Accepted: 06/30/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
Plant microbiome interactions are bidirectional with processes leading to microbiome assembly and processes leading to effects on plants, so called microbiome feedbacks. With belowground focus we systematically decomposed both of these directions into plant and (root and rhizosphere) microbiome components to identify methodological challenges and research priorities. We found that the bidirectionality of plant microbiome interactions presents a challenge for genetic studies. Establishing causality is particularly difficult when a plant mutant has both, an altered phenotype and an altered microbiome. Is the mutation directly affecting the microbiome (e.g., through root exudates), which then causes an altered phenotype of the plant and/or is the altered microbiome the consequence of the mutation altering the plant's phenotype (e.g., root architecture)? Here, we put forward that feedback experiments allow to separate cause and effect and furthermore, they are useful for investigating plant interactions with complex microbiomes in natural soils. They especially allow to investigate the plant genetic basis how plants respond to soil microbiomes and we stress that such microbiome feedbacks are understudied compared to the mechanisms contributing to microbiome assembly. Thinking towards application, this may allow to develop crops with both abilities to assemble a beneficial microbiome and to actively exploit its feedbacks.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Katja Stengele
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Klaus Schlaeppi
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
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2
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Wang D, He X, Baer M, Lami K, Yu B, Tassinari A, Salvi S, Schaaf G, Hochholdinger F, Yu P. Lateral root enriched Massilia associated with plant flowering in maize. MICROBIOME 2024; 12:124. [PMID: 38982519 PMCID: PMC11234754 DOI: 10.1186/s40168-024-01839-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 07/11/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Beneficial associations between plants and soil microorganisms are critical for crop fitness and resilience. However, it remains obscure how microorganisms are assembled across different root compartments and to what extent such recruited microbiomes determine crop performance. Here, we surveyed the root transcriptome and the root and rhizosphere microbiome via RNA sequencing and full-length (V1-V9) 16S rRNA gene sequencing from genetically distinct monogenic root mutants of maize (Zea mays L.) under different nutrient-limiting conditions. RESULTS Overall transcriptome and microbiome display a clear assembly pattern across the compartments, i.e., from the soil through the rhizosphere to the root tissues. Co-variation analysis identified that genotype dominated the effect on the microbial community and gene expression over the nutrient stress conditions. Integrated transcriptomic and microbial analyses demonstrated that mutations affecting lateral root development had the largest effect on host gene expression and microbiome assembly, as compared to mutations affecting other root types. Cooccurrence and trans-kingdom network association analysis demonstrated that the keystone bacterial taxon Massilia (Oxalobacteraceae) is associated with root functional genes involved in flowering time and overall plant biomass. We further observed that the developmental stage drives the differentiation of the rhizosphere microbial assembly, especially the associations of the keystone bacteria Massilia with functional genes in reproduction. Taking advantage of microbial inoculation experiments using a maize early flowering mutant, we confirmed that Massilia-driven maize growth promotion indeed depends on flowering time. CONCLUSION We conclude that specific microbiota supporting lateral root formation could enhance crop performance by mediating functional gene expression underlying plant flowering time in maize. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danning Wang
- Emmy Noether Group Root Functional Biology, Institute of Crop Science and Resource Conservation (INRES), University of Bonn, Bonn, 53113, Germany
- Crop Functional Genomics, Institute of Crop Science and Resource Conservation (INRES), University of Bonn, Bonn, 53113, Germany
| | - Xiaoming He
- Emmy Noether Group Root Functional Biology, Institute of Crop Science and Resource Conservation (INRES), University of Bonn, Bonn, 53113, Germany
- Crop Functional Genomics, Institute of Crop Science and Resource Conservation (INRES), University of Bonn, Bonn, 53113, Germany
| | - Marcel Baer
- Emmy Noether Group Root Functional Biology, Institute of Crop Science and Resource Conservation (INRES), University of Bonn, Bonn, 53113, Germany
- Crop Functional Genomics, Institute of Crop Science and Resource Conservation (INRES), University of Bonn, Bonn, 53113, Germany
| | - Klea Lami
- Emmy Noether Group Root Functional Biology, Institute of Crop Science and Resource Conservation (INRES), University of Bonn, Bonn, 53113, Germany
- Crop Functional Genomics, Institute of Crop Science and Resource Conservation (INRES), University of Bonn, Bonn, 53113, Germany
- Plant Nutrition, Institute of Crop Science and Resource Conservation (INRES), University of Bonn, Bonn, 53113, Germany
| | - Baogang Yu
- Emmy Noether Group Root Functional Biology, Institute of Crop Science and Resource Conservation (INRES), University of Bonn, Bonn, 53113, Germany
- Crop Functional Genomics, Institute of Crop Science and Resource Conservation (INRES), University of Bonn, Bonn, 53113, Germany
| | - Alberto Tassinari
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, 40127, Italy
| | - Silvio Salvi
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, 40127, Italy
| | - Gabriel Schaaf
- Plant Nutrition, Institute of Crop Science and Resource Conservation (INRES), University of Bonn, Bonn, 53113, Germany
| | - Frank Hochholdinger
- Crop Functional Genomics, Institute of Crop Science and Resource Conservation (INRES), University of Bonn, Bonn, 53113, Germany
| | - Peng Yu
- Emmy Noether Group Root Functional Biology, Institute of Crop Science and Resource Conservation (INRES), University of Bonn, Bonn, 53113, Germany.
- Crop Functional Genomics, Institute of Crop Science and Resource Conservation (INRES), University of Bonn, Bonn, 53113, Germany.
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3
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Xun W, Liu Y, Ma A, Yan H, Miao Y, Shao J, Zhang N, Xu Z, Shen Q, Zhang R. Dissection of rhizosphere microbiome and exploiting strategies for sustainable agriculture. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2024; 242:2401-2410. [PMID: 38494698 DOI: 10.1111/nph.19697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
The rhizosphere microbiome plays critical roles in plant growth and provides promising solutions for sustainable agriculture. While the rhizosphere microbiome frequently fluctuates with the soil environment, recent studies have demonstrated that a small proportion of the microbiome is consistently assembled in the rhizosphere of a specific plant genotype regardless of the soil condition, which is determined by host genetics. Based on these breakthroughs, which involved exploiting the plant-beneficial function of the rhizosphere microbiome, we propose to divide the rhizosphere microbiome into environment-dominated and plant genetic-dominated components based on their different assembly mechanisms. Subsequently, two strategies to explore the different rhizosphere microbiome components for agricultural production are suggested, that is, the precise management of the environment-dominated rhizosphere microbiome by agronomic practices, and the elucidation of the plant genetic basis of the plant genetic-dominated rhizosphere microbiome for breeding microbiome-assisted crop varieties. We finally present the major challenges that need to be overcome to implement strategies for modulating these two components of the rhizosphere microbiome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weibing Xun
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Lab for Solid Organic Waste Utilization, College of Resources and Environmental Science, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Yunpeng Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Efficient Utilization of Arid and Semi-arid Arable Land in Northern China, Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Aiyuan Ma
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Lab for Solid Organic Waste Utilization, College of Resources and Environmental Science, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - He Yan
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Lab for Solid Organic Waste Utilization, College of Resources and Environmental Science, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Youzhi Miao
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Lab for Solid Organic Waste Utilization, College of Resources and Environmental Science, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Jiahui Shao
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Lab for Solid Organic Waste Utilization, College of Resources and Environmental Science, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Nan Zhang
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Lab for Solid Organic Waste Utilization, College of Resources and Environmental Science, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Zhihui Xu
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Lab for Solid Organic Waste Utilization, College of Resources and Environmental Science, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Qirong Shen
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Lab for Solid Organic Waste Utilization, College of Resources and Environmental Science, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Ruifu Zhang
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Lab for Solid Organic Waste Utilization, College of Resources and Environmental Science, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
- State Key Laboratory of Efficient Utilization of Arid and Semi-arid Arable Land in Northern China, Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
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4
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Gholizadeh S, Nemati I, Vestergård M, Barnes CJ, Kudjordjie EN, Nicolaisen M. Harnessing root-soil-microbiota interactions for drought-resilient cereals. Microbiol Res 2024; 283:127698. [PMID: 38537330 DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2024.127698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
Cereal plants form complex networks with their associated microbiome in the soil environment. A complex system including variations of numerous parameters of soil properties and host traits shapes the dynamics of cereal microbiota under drought. These multifaceted interactions can greatly affect carbon and nutrient cycling in soil and offer the potential to increase plant growth and fitness under drought conditions. Despite growing recognition of the importance of plant microbiota to agroecosystem functioning, harnessing the cereal root microbiota remains a significant challenge due to interacting and synergistic effects between root traits, soil properties, agricultural practices, and drought-related features. A better mechanistic understanding of root-soil-microbiota associations could lead to the development of novel strategies to improve cereal production under drought. In this review, we discuss the root-soil-microbiota interactions for improving the soil environment and host fitness under drought and suggest a roadmap for harnessing the benefits of these interactions for drought-resilient cereals. These methods include conservative trait-based approaches for the selection and breeding of plant genetic resources and manipulation of the soil environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Somayeh Gholizadeh
- Faculty of Technical Sciences, Department of Agroecology, Aarhus University, Forsøgsvej 1, Slagelse 4200, Denmark
| | - Iman Nemati
- Department of Plant Production and Genetics Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran
| | - Mette Vestergård
- Faculty of Technical Sciences, Department of Agroecology, Aarhus University, Forsøgsvej 1, Slagelse 4200, Denmark
| | - Christopher James Barnes
- Faculty of Technical Sciences, Department of Agroecology, Aarhus University, Forsøgsvej 1, Slagelse 4200, Denmark
| | - Enoch Narh Kudjordjie
- Faculty of Technical Sciences, Department of Agroecology, Aarhus University, Forsøgsvej 1, Slagelse 4200, Denmark
| | - Mogens Nicolaisen
- Faculty of Technical Sciences, Department of Agroecology, Aarhus University, Forsøgsvej 1, Slagelse 4200, Denmark.
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5
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Sahay S, Grzybowski M, Schnable JC, Głowacka K. Genotype-specific nonphotochemical quenching responses to nitrogen deficit are linked to chlorophyll a to b ratios. JOURNAL OF PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2024; 297:154261. [PMID: 38705078 DOI: 10.1016/j.jplph.2024.154261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Revised: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024]
Abstract
Non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) protects plants from photodamage caused by excess light energy. Substantial variation in NPQ has been reported among different genotypes of the same species. However, comparatively little is known about how environmental perturbations, including nutrient deficits, impact natural variation in NPQ kinetics. Here, we analyzed a natural variation in NPQ kinetics of a diversity panel of 225 maize (Zea mays L.) genotypes under nitrogen replete and nitrogen deficient field conditions. Individual maize genotypes from a diversity panel exhibited a range of changes in NPQ in response to low nitrogen. Replicated genotypes exhibited consistent responses across two field experiments conducted in different years. At the seedling and pre-flowering stages, a similar portion of the genotypes (∼33%) showed decrease, no-change or increase in NPQ under low nitrogen relative to control. Genotypes with increased NPQ under low nitrogen also showed greater reductions in dry biomass and photosynthesis than genotypes with stable NPQ when exposed to low nitrogen conditions. Maize genotypes where an increase in NPQ was observed under low nitrogen also exhibited a reduction in the ratio of chlorophyll a to chlorophyll b. Our results underline that since thermal dissipation of excess excitation energy measured via NPQ helps to balance the energy absorbed with energy utilized, the NPQ changes are the reflection of broader molecular and biochemical changes which occur under the stresses such as low soil fertility. Here, we have demonstrated that variation in NPQ kinetics resulted from genetic and environmental factors, are not independent of each other. Natural genetic variation controlling plastic responses of NPQ kinetics to environmental perturbation increases the likelihood it will be possible to optimize NPQ kinetics in crop plants for different environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seema Sahay
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA; Center for Plant Science Innovation, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA.
| | - Marcin Grzybowski
- Center for Plant Science Innovation, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA; Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA; Department of Plant Molecular Ecophysiology, Faculty of Biology, Institute of Plant Experimental Biology and Biotechnology, University of Warsaw, 02-096 Warsaw, Poland.
| | - James C Schnable
- Center for Plant Science Innovation, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA; Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA.
| | - Katarzyna Głowacka
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA; Center for Plant Science Innovation, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA; Institute of Plant Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, 60-479, Poznań, Poland.
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6
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Zai X, Cordovez V, Zhu F, Zhao M, Diao X, Zhang F, Raaijmakers JM, Song C. C4 cereal and biofuel crop microbiomes. Trends Microbiol 2024:S0966-842X(24)00093-3. [PMID: 38772810 DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2024.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024]
Abstract
Microbiomes provide multiple life-support functions for plants, including nutrient acquisition and tolerance to abiotic and biotic stresses. Considering the importance of C4 cereal and biofuel crops for food security under climate change conditions, more attention has been given recently to C4 plant microbiome assembly and functions. Here, we review the current status of C4 cereal and biofuel crop microbiome research with a focus on beneficial microbial traits for crop growth and health. We highlight the importance of environmental factors and plant genetics in C4 crop microbiome assembly and pinpoint current knowledge gaps. Finally, we discuss the potential of foxtail millet as a C4 model species and outline future perspectives of C4 plant microbiome research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyu Zai
- State Key Laboratory of Nutrient Use and Management, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China; National Academy of Agriculture Green Development, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China; Key Laboratory of Plant-Soil Interactions, Ministry of Education, China Agricultural University, 100193 Beijing, China; National Observation and Research Station of Agriculture Green Development, 057250 Quzhou, Hebei, China
| | - Viviane Cordovez
- Department of Microbial Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
| | - Feng Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Water Resources, Hebei Laboratory of Agricultural Water-Saving, Center for Agricultural Resources Research, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, The Innovative Academy of Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 050021 Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Meicheng Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Water Resources, Hebei Laboratory of Agricultural Water-Saving, Center for Agricultural Resources Research, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, The Innovative Academy of Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 050021 Shijiazhuang, China; Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 100081 Beijing, China
| | - Xianmin Diao
- Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 100081 Beijing, China
| | - Fusuo Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Nutrient Use and Management, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China; National Academy of Agriculture Green Development, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China; Key Laboratory of Plant-Soil Interactions, Ministry of Education, China Agricultural University, 100193 Beijing, China; National Observation and Research Station of Agriculture Green Development, 057250 Quzhou, Hebei, China
| | - Jos M Raaijmakers
- Department of Microbial Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology, Wageningen, The Netherlands; Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Chunxu Song
- State Key Laboratory of Nutrient Use and Management, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China; National Academy of Agriculture Green Development, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China; Key Laboratory of Plant-Soil Interactions, Ministry of Education, China Agricultural University, 100193 Beijing, China; National Observation and Research Station of Agriculture Green Development, 057250 Quzhou, Hebei, China.
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7
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He X, Wang D, Jiang Y, Li M, Delgado-Baquerizo M, McLaughlin C, Marcon C, Guo L, Baer M, Moya YAT, von Wirén N, Deichmann M, Schaaf G, Piepho HP, Yang Z, Yang J, Yim B, Smalla K, Goormachtig S, de Vries FT, Hüging H, Baer M, Sawers RJH, Reif JC, Hochholdinger F, Chen X, Yu P. Heritable microbiome variation is correlated with source environment in locally adapted maize varieties. NATURE PLANTS 2024; 10:598-617. [PMID: 38514787 DOI: 10.1038/s41477-024-01654-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
Beneficial interactions with microorganisms are pivotal for crop performance and resilience. However, it remains unclear how heritable the microbiome is with respect to the host plant genotype and to what extent host genetic mechanisms can modulate plant-microbiota interactions in the face of environmental stresses. Here we surveyed 3,168 root and rhizosphere microbiome samples from 129 accessions of locally adapted Zea, sourced from diverse habitats and grown under control and different stress conditions. We quantified stress treatment and host genotype effects on the microbiome. Plant genotype and source environment were predictive of microbiome abundance. Genome-wide association analysis identified host genetic variants linked to both rhizosphere microbiome abundance and source environment. We identified transposon insertions in a candidate gene linked to both the abundance of a keystone bacterium Massilia in our controlled experiments and total soil nitrogen in the source environment. Isolation and controlled inoculation of Massilia alone can contribute to root development, whole-plant biomass production and adaptation to low nitrogen availability. We conclude that locally adapted maize varieties exert patterns of genetic control on their root and rhizosphere microbiomes that follow variation in their home environments, consistent with a role in tolerance to prevailing stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoming He
- College of Resources and Environment, and Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University (SWU), Chongqing, People's Republic of China
- Emmy Noether Group Root Functional Biology, Institute of Crop Science and Resource Conservation (INRES), University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- Crop Functional Genomics, Institute of Crop Science and Resource Conservation (INRES), University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Danning Wang
- Emmy Noether Group Root Functional Biology, Institute of Crop Science and Resource Conservation (INRES), University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- Crop Functional Genomics, Institute of Crop Science and Resource Conservation (INRES), University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Yong Jiang
- Department of Breeding Research, Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK), Gatersleben, Germany
| | - Meng Li
- Department of Plant Science, Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA, USA
| | - Manuel Delgado-Baquerizo
- Laboratorio de Biodiversidad y Funcionamiento Ecosistémico, Instituto de Recursos Naturales y Agrobiología de Sevilla (IRNAS), CSIC, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Chloee McLaughlin
- Department of Plant Science, Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA, USA
| | - Caroline Marcon
- Crop Functional Genomics, Institute of Crop Science and Resource Conservation (INRES), University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Li Guo
- Crop Functional Genomics, Institute of Crop Science and Resource Conservation (INRES), University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Marcel Baer
- Crop Functional Genomics, Institute of Crop Science and Resource Conservation (INRES), University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Yudelsy A T Moya
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK), Gatersleben, Germany
| | - Nicolaus von Wirén
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK), Gatersleben, Germany
| | - Marion Deichmann
- Plant Nutrition, Institute of Crop Science and Resource Conservation (INRES), University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Gabriel Schaaf
- Plant Nutrition, Institute of Crop Science and Resource Conservation (INRES), University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | | | - Zhikai Yang
- Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA
| | - Jinliang Yang
- Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA
| | - Bunlong Yim
- Institute for Epidemiology and Pathogen Diagnostics, Julius Kühn-Institut - Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants (JKI), Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Kornelia Smalla
- Institute for Epidemiology and Pathogen Diagnostics, Julius Kühn-Institut - Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants (JKI), Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Sofie Goormachtig
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Center for Plant Systems Biology, VIB, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Franciska T de Vries
- Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Hubert Hüging
- Crop Science Group, Institute of Crop Science and Resource Conservation (INRES), University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Mareike Baer
- Institute of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Department of Food Microbiology and Hygiene, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Ruairidh J H Sawers
- Department of Plant Science, Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA, USA.
| | - Jochen C Reif
- Department of Breeding Research, Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK), Gatersleben, Germany.
| | - Frank Hochholdinger
- Crop Functional Genomics, Institute of Crop Science and Resource Conservation (INRES), University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
| | - Xinping Chen
- College of Resources and Environment, and Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Southwest University (SWU), Chongqing, People's Republic of China.
| | - Peng Yu
- Emmy Noether Group Root Functional Biology, Institute of Crop Science and Resource Conservation (INRES), University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
- Crop Functional Genomics, Institute of Crop Science and Resource Conservation (INRES), University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
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8
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Yang Z, Zhao T, Cheng H, Yang J. Microbiome-enabled genomic selection improves prediction accuracy for nitrogen-related traits in maize. G3 (BETHESDA, MD.) 2024; 14:jkad286. [PMID: 38113533 PMCID: PMC11090461 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkad286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
Root-associated microbiomes in the rhizosphere (rhizobiomes) are increasingly known to play an important role in nutrient acquisition, stress tolerance, and disease resistance of plants. However, it remains largely unclear to what extent these rhizobiomes contribute to trait variation for different genotypes and if their inclusion in the genomic selection protocol can enhance prediction accuracy. To address these questions, we developed a microbiome-enabled genomic selection method that incorporated host SNPs and amplicon sequence variants from plant rhizobiomes in a maize diversity panel under high and low nitrogen (N) field conditions. Our cross-validation results showed that the microbiome-enabled genomic selection model significantly outperformed the conventional genomic selection model for nearly all time-series traits related to plant growth and N responses, with an average relative improvement of 3.7%. The improvement was more pronounced under low N conditions (8.4-40.2% of relative improvement), consistent with the view that some beneficial microbes can enhance N nutrient uptake, particularly in low N fields. However, our study could not definitively rule out the possibility that the observed improvement is partially due to the amplicon sequence variants being influenced by microenvironments. Using a high-dimensional mediation analysis method, our study has also identified microbial mediators that establish a link between plant genotype and phenotype. Some of the detected mediator microbes were previously reported to promote plant growth. The enhanced prediction accuracy of the microbiome-enabled genomic selection models, demonstrated in a single environment, serves as a proof-of-concept for the potential application of microbiome-enabled plant breeding for sustainable agriculture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhikai Yang
- Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA
- Center for Plant Science Innovation, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68583, USA
| | - Tianjing Zhao
- Department of Animal Science, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68583, USA
- Department of Animal Science, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Hao Cheng
- Department of Animal Science, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Jinliang Yang
- Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA
- Center for Plant Science Innovation, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68583, USA
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9
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Berruto CA, Demirer GS. Engineering agricultural soil microbiomes and predicting plant phenotypes. Trends Microbiol 2024:S0966-842X(24)00043-X. [PMID: 38429182 DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2024.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Abstract
Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) can improve crop yields, nutrient use efficiency, plant tolerance to stressors, and confer benefits to future generations of crops grown in the same soil. Unlocking the potential of microbial communities in the rhizosphere and endosphere is therefore of great interest for sustainable agriculture advancements. Before plant microbiomes can be engineered to confer desirable phenotypic effects on their plant hosts, a deeper understanding of the interacting factors influencing rhizosphere community structure and function is needed. Dealing with this complexity is becoming more feasible using computational approaches. In this review, we discuss recent advances at the intersection of experimental and computational strategies for the investigation of plant-microbiome interactions and the engineering of desirable soil microbiomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara A Berruto
- Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Gozde S Demirer
- Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA.
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10
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Ferrante R, Campagni C, Vettori C, Checcucci A, Garosi C, Paffetti D. Meta-analysis of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria interaction with host plants: implications for drought stress response gene expression. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2024; 14:1282553. [PMID: 38288406 PMCID: PMC10823023 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1282553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2024]
Abstract
Introduction The molecular and physiological mechanisms activated in plants during drought stress tolerance are regulated by several key genes with both metabolic and regulatory roles. Studies focusing on crop gene expression following plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) inoculation may help understand which bioinoculant is closely related to the induction of abiotic stress responses. Methods Here, we performed a meta-analysis following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines to summarise information regarding plant-PGPR interactions, focusing on the regulation of nine genes involved in plant drought stress response. The literature research yielded 3,338 reports, of which only 41 were included in the meta-analysis based on the chosen inclusion criteria. The meta-analysis was performed on four genes (ACO, APX, ACS and DREB2); the other five genes (ERD15, MYB, MYC, acdS, WRKY) had an insufficient number of eligible articles. Results Forest plots obtained through each meta-analysis showed that the overexpression of ACO, APX, ACS and DREB2 genes was not statistically significant. Unlike the other genes, DREB2 showed statistically significant results in both the presence and absence of PGPR. Considering I2>75 %, the results showed a high heterogeneity among the studies included, and the cause for this was examined using subgroup analysis. Moreover, the funnel plot and Egger's test showed that the analyses were affected by strong publication bias. Discussion This study argues that the presence of PGPR may not significantly influence the expression of drought stress response-related crop genes. This finding may be due to high heterogeneity, lack of data on the genes examined, and significant publication bias.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Ferrante
- National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC), Palermo, Italy
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Agrarie, Alimentari, Ambientali e Forestali (DAGRI), Università degli Studi di Firenze, Florence, Italy
| | - Chiara Campagni
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Agrarie, Alimentari, Ambientali e Forestali (DAGRI), Università degli Studi di Firenze, Florence, Italy
| | - Cristina Vettori
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Agrarie, Alimentari, Ambientali e Forestali (DAGRI), Università degli Studi di Firenze, Florence, Italy
- Istituto di Bioscienze e Biorisorse (IBBR), Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Alice Checcucci
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Agrarie, Alimentari, Ambientali e Forestali (DAGRI), Università degli Studi di Firenze, Florence, Italy
| | - Cesare Garosi
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Agrarie, Alimentari, Ambientali e Forestali (DAGRI), Università degli Studi di Firenze, Florence, Italy
| | - Donatella Paffetti
- National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC), Palermo, Italy
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Agrarie, Alimentari, Ambientali e Forestali (DAGRI), Università degli Studi di Firenze, Florence, Italy
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11
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Shankar N, Shetty P, Melo TC, Kesseli R. Multi-Generation Ecosystem Selection of Rhizosphere Microbial Communities Associated with Plant Genotype and Biomass in Arabidopsis thaliana. Microorganisms 2023; 11:2932. [PMID: 38138075 PMCID: PMC10745315 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11122932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The role of the microbiome in shaping the host's phenotype has emerged as a critical area of investigation, with implications in ecology, evolution, and host health. The complex and dynamic interactions involving plants and their diverse rhizospheres' microbial communities are influenced by a multitude of factors, including but not limited to soil type, environment, and plant genotype. Understanding the impact of these factors on microbial community assembly is key to yielding host-specific and robust benefits for plants, yet it remains challenging. Here, we conducted an artificial ecosystem selection experiment for eight generations of Arabidopsis thaliana Ler and Cvi to select soil microbiomes associated with a higher or lower biomass of the host. This resulted in divergent microbial communities shaped by a complex interplay between random environmental variations, plant genotypes, and biomass selection pressures. In the initial phases of the experiment, the genotype and the biomass selection treatment had modest but significant impacts. Over time, the plant genotype and biomass treatments gained more influence, explaining ~40% of the variation in the microbial community's composition. Furthermore, a genotype-specific association of plant-growth-promoting rhizobacterial taxa, Labraceae with Ler and Rhizobiaceae with Cvi, was observed under selection for high biomass.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nachiket Shankar
- Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts, Boston, MA 02125, USA (R.K.)
| | - Prateek Shetty
- Institute of Plant Biology, Biological Research Centre, 6726 Szeged, Hungary;
| | - Tatiana C. Melo
- Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts, Boston, MA 02125, USA (R.K.)
| | - Rick Kesseli
- Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts, Boston, MA 02125, USA (R.K.)
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12
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Escudero-Martinez C, Bulgarelli D. Engineering the Crop Microbiota Through Host Genetics. ANNUAL REVIEW OF PHYTOPATHOLOGY 2023; 61:257-277. [PMID: 37196364 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-phyto-021621-121447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
The microbiota populating the plant-soil continuum defines an untapped resource for sustainable crop production. The host plant is a driver for the taxonomic composition and function of these microbial communities. In this review, we illustrate how the host genetic determinants of the microbiota have been shaped by plant domestication and crop diversification. We discuss how the heritable component of microbiota recruitment may represent, at least partially, a selection for microbial functions underpinning the growth, development, and health of their host plants and how the magnitude of this heritability is influenced by the environment. We illustrate how host-microbiota interactions can be treated as an external quantitative trait and review recent studies associating crop genetics with microbiota-based quantitative traits. We also explore the results of reductionist approaches, including synthetic microbial communities, to establish causal relationships between microbiota and plant phenotypes. Lastly, we propose strategies to integrate microbiota manipulation into crop selection programs. Although a detailed understanding of when and how heritability for microbiota composition can be deployed for breeding purposes is still lacking, we argue that advances in crop genomics are likely to accelerate wider applications of plant-microbiota interactions in agriculture.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Davide Bulgarelli
- Plant Sciences, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom; ,
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13
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Valente J, Gerin F, Mini A, Richard R, Le Gouis J, Prigent-Combaret C, Moënne-Loccoz Y. Symbiotic Variations among Wheat Genotypes and Detection of Quantitative Trait Loci for Molecular Interaction with Auxin-Producing Azospirillum PGPR. Microorganisms 2023; 11:1615. [PMID: 37375117 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11061615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Crop varieties differ in their ability to interact with Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR), but the genetic basis for these differences is unknown. This issue was addressed with the PGPR Azospirillum baldaniorum Sp245, using 187 wheat accessions. We screened the accessions based on the seedling colonization by the PGPR and the expression of the phenylpyruvate decarboxylase gene ppdC (for synthesis of the auxin indole-3-acetic acid), using gusA fusions. Then, the effects of the PGPR on the selected accessions stimulating Sp245 (or not) were compared in soil under stress. Finally, a genome-wide association approach was implemented to identify the quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with PGPR interaction. Overall, the ancient genotypes were more effective than the modern genotypes for Azospirillum root colonization and ppdC expression. In non-sterile soil, A. baldaniorum Sp245 improved wheat performance for three of the four PGPR-stimulating genotypes and none of the four non-PGPR-stimulating genotypes. The genome-wide association did not identify any region for root colonization but revealed 22 regions spread on 11 wheat chromosomes for ppdC expression and/or ppdC induction rate. This is the first QTL study focusing on molecular interaction with PGPR bacteria. The molecular markers identified provide the possibility to improve the capacity of modern wheat genotypes to interact with Sp245, as well as, potentially, other Azospirillum strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan Valente
- Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, INRAE, VetAgro Sup, UMR5557 Ecologie Microbienne, 43 Bd du 11 Novembre 1918, F-69622 Villeurbanne, France
| | - Florence Gerin
- Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, INRAE, VetAgro Sup, UMR5557 Ecologie Microbienne, 43 Bd du 11 Novembre 1918, F-69622 Villeurbanne, France
| | - Agathe Mini
- GDEC, INRAE, UCA, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | | | | | - Claire Prigent-Combaret
- Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, INRAE, VetAgro Sup, UMR5557 Ecologie Microbienne, 43 Bd du 11 Novembre 1918, F-69622 Villeurbanne, France
| | - Yvan Moënne-Loccoz
- Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, INRAE, VetAgro Sup, UMR5557 Ecologie Microbienne, 43 Bd du 11 Novembre 1918, F-69622 Villeurbanne, France
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14
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Pereira LB, Thomazella DPT, Teixeira PJPL. Plant-microbiome crosstalk and disease development. CURRENT OPINION IN PLANT BIOLOGY 2023; 72:102351. [PMID: 36848753 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbi.2023.102351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Plants harbor a complex immune system to fight off invaders and prevent diseases. For decades, the interactions between plants and pathogens have been investigated primarily through the lens of binary interactions, largely neglecting the diversity of microbes that naturally inhabit plant tissues. Recent research, however, demonstrates that resident microbes are more than mere spectators. Instead, the plant microbiome extends host immune function and influences the outcome of a pathogen infection. Both plants and the interacting microbes produce a large diversity of metabolites that form an intricate chemical network of nutrients, signals, and antimicrobial molecules. In this review, we discuss the involvement of the plant microbiome in disease development, focusing on the biochemical conversation that occurs between plants and their associated microbiota before, during and after infection. We also highlight outstanding questions and possible directions for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Letícia B Pereira
- Department of Biological Sciences, "Luiz de Queiroz" College of Agriculture (ESALQ), University of São Paulo (USP), Piracicaba, SP, Brazil
| | - Daniela P T Thomazella
- Department of Genetics, "Luiz de Queiroz" College of Agriculture (ESALQ), University of São Paulo (USP), Piracicaba, SP, Brazil
| | - Paulo J P L Teixeira
- Department of Biological Sciences, "Luiz de Queiroz" College of Agriculture (ESALQ), University of São Paulo (USP), Piracicaba, SP, Brazil.
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15
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Abstract
Maize genes influence which species of bacteria are recruited from the soil, especially in the absence of nitrogen supplied by fertilizer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maggie R Wagner
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Kansas Biological Survey and Center for Ecological Research, University of Kansas
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