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Isolation and Analysis of Microbial Communities in Soil, Rhizosphere, and Roots in Perennial Grass Experiments
Published on: July 24, 2018
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Host genomic influence on bacterial composition in the switchgrass rhizosphere
Jeremy Sutherland1,2,3, Terrence Bell1,2,4, Ryan V Trexler3,5
1Department of Plant Pathology and Environmental Microbiology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA.
Molecular Ecology
|May 27, 2022
Summary
Switchgrass genetics significantly impacts its root-associated bacteria. Host genetic variation influences microbiome diversity and composition, revealing links between plant life history and bacterial communities.
Area of Science:
- Plant-Microbe Interactions
- Genomics
- Microbiome Research
Background:
- Host genetics can influence microbiome composition and diversity.
- Limited research exists on the genetic basis of host effects on plant microbiomes.
- Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) is a diverse, outcrossing perennial grass.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of switchgrass host genotype on rhizosphere bacterial composition.
- To explore the relationship between switchgrass life history traits and its associated microbiome.
- To identify genetic loci associated with host control over the microbiome.
Main Methods:
- A common garden experiment with 383 switchgrass accessions.
- Analysis of rhizosphere bacterial alpha diversity and composition.
- Genome-wide association study (GWAS) to identify single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs).
Main Results:
- Higher bacterial alpha diversity was observed in upland ecotypes and tetraploid switchgrass.
- Bacterial diversity negatively correlated with switchgrass flowering time and plant height.
- Significant heritability for the abundance of core bacterial families was detected.
- GWAS identified 1861 SNPs associated with 110 bacterial families.
Conclusions:
- Switchgrass genomic and life-history variation significantly shapes its rhizosphere microbiome.
- Host genetic factors play a substantial role in determining bacterial community structure.
- Findings suggest host adaptation to local environments influences microbiome composition.
