Traits-based approach: leveraging genome size in plant-microbe interactions

Area of Science:

• Ecology
• Genetics
• Microbiology

Background:

• Trait-based approaches are crucial for understanding plant-microbe interactions.
• Existing traits often exhibit high intraspecific variation, limiting their utility for interspecific comparisons.
• There is a need for stable traits that differ between plant species.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose genome size as a stable and suitable trait for studying plant-microbiome interactions.
• To investigate the influence of plant genome size on associated microbial communities.
• To highlight environmental selection based on genome size as a driver of plant-microbiome dynamics.

Main Methods:

• Literature review and synthesis of emerging evidence.
• Conceptual framework development for genome size as a plant trait.
• Analysis of existing data suggesting genome size impacts microbial community composition.

Main Results:

• Plant genome size is a relatively stable trait, minimally affected by environmental variations.
• Evidence indicates that plant genome size influences the composition of associated microbial communities.
• Tissue-specific environments appear to select microbes based on their genome size.

Conclusions:

• Genome size represents a promising, stable trait for investigating plant-microbiome interactions.
• Environmental selection acting on plant genome size is an emerging factor shaping plant-microbial associations.
• These interactions have potential implications for ecosystem functions and productivity.