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Updated: Jul 12, 2025
08:59
Plant-Microbe Interaction: Transcriptional Response of Bacillus Mycoides to Potato Root Exudates
Published on: July 2, 2018
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Bacterial tolerance to host-exuded specialized metabolites structures the maize root microbiome
Lisa Thoenen1,2, Caitlin Giroud2, Marco Kreuzer3
1Institute of Plant Sciences, University of Bern, Bern 3013, Switzerland.
Summary
Plant root compounds called benzoxazinoids (BXs) shape the root microbiome. Bacterial tolerance to these antimicrobials, influenced by cell wall structure, determines root colonization success.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Plant Science
- Metabolomics
Background:
- Plants release specialized metabolites from roots, influencing the root microbiome.
- Mechanisms by which these compounds structure microbial communities are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of benzoxazinoids (BXs) in structuring the maize root microbiome.
- To determine bacterial tolerance mechanisms against BXs and their impact on root colonization.
Main Methods:
- Cultured maize root bacteria and tested their tolerance to BXs in vitro.
- Analyzed bacterial cell wall structure in relation to BXs tolerance.
- Compared BXs tolerance between native maize root bacteria and nonhost Arabidopsis bacteria.
Main Results:
- BXs inhibited bacterial growth in a strain- and compound-dependent manner.
- Bacterial tolerance to BXs was linked to cell wall structure.
- Maize-associated bacteria showed higher BXs tolerance than Arabidopsis-associated bacteria.
- Tolerance to 6-methoxy-benzoxazolin-2-one (MBOA) correlated with bacterial abundance on maize roots.
Conclusions:
- Bacterial tolerance to plant specialized metabolites is a key factor for root colonization.
- Tolerance to root-derived antimicrobial compounds influences host-specific microbial community structure.
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