Exploring the Bacterial Microbiota of Seeds

The seed microbiota, a still underexplored component of plant-microbe interactions, plays a pivotal role in plant development and holds significant promise for advancing sustainable agriculture. By influencing essential processes such as germination, stress tolerance, nutrient acquisition and defence, seed-associated microbes offer unique advantages beyond those of soil- or rhizosphere-associated microbiomes. Notably, they are transmitted both vertically and horizontally; however, fundamental questions remain regarding their origin, ecological dynamics and functional roles across environments. This article explores the diversification of seed microbiota as a consequence of crop domestication, emerging insights into functional microbial genes and key challenges that must be addressed to fully unlock its potential.