Microbiome-mediated environmental adaptation in tea plants and its potential applications

The assembly of microbiomes during the growth and development of plants plays a crucial role in facilitating host adaptation by enhancing abiotic and biotic resilience to the adverse environment. Understanding the mechanisms of microbial-mediated adaptation to host environments is therefore essential for the plant fitness and sustainable agriculture. Tea plant (Camellia sinensis) is one of the oldest extant tree lineages on earth and faces a serious challenge in adapting to the changing global climate during the long-term cultivation and domestication process. However, the mechanisms governing microbiome assembly in tea plants and its functional aspects remain largely elusive, and this knowledge gap limits the precise and targeted harnessing of beneficial microbiomes under field conditions.

we reviewed existing insights into microbial assembly in tea plants, encompassing the assembly patterns of the microbiome and regulatory factors. Furthermore, we discussed the potential pathways to boost the adaptation of tea plants to adverse environments through microbial interactions. The aim of this work is to construct a comprehensive framework for studying the tea plant microbiome, by which to chart a new path to highly efficient utilization the microbiomes in tea plantation and other host plants.

We provides a comprehensive summary of the regulations governing the assembly of tea plant microbiome, elucidated the various factors regulating microbial environment and explored the potential functions of the microorganisms, indicating that the assembly of the tea pant microbiome presents a promising avenue for enhancing environmental adaptation. Furthermore, the integration of multi-omics technology, core microbiome, and the advancements in synthetic microbial community offer promising approaches to effectively explore the potential connection between tea plants and microbiome. Continued research and experimentation will be crucial to deepen our understanding and unlock the full potential of microbiome-mediated environmental adaptation in tea plants.