Transgenerational Dynamics of Endophytic Microbiome in Soybean Seeds

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Plant Science
• Agricultural Science

Background:

• Seed endophytic microbes are crucial for plant health and productivity.
• Understanding the temporal dynamics of seed endophytic communities is vital for crop improvement.
• Previous research has limited insights into soybean seed microbial community dynamics across generations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the temporal dynamics of bacterial and fungal endophytes in soybean seeds across three generations.
• To compare seed endophytic communities with rhizosphere and bulk soil microbiomes.
• To analyze the community assembly mechanisms driving seed microbiota composition.

Main Methods:

• Culture-independent sequencing of bacterial and fungal endophytes in soybean seeds and rhizosphere microbiomes.
• Monitoring microbial communities across three plant generations.
• Analysis of community assembly processes.

Main Results:

• Seed endophytic communities are distinct from soil and rhizosphere microbiomes.
• Seed endophyte composition fluctuates across generations, influenced by environmental factors and microbial influx.
• Fungal endophytes exhibit higher phylogenetic diversity than bacterial endophytes in soybean seeds.
• Both seed and rhizosphere microbiomes contribute to the next generation of seed microbiota via stochastic drift and homogeneous selection.

Conclusions:

• Soybean seed endophytic communities exhibit dynamic intergenerational changes.
• Microbial transmission from the rhizosphere to seeds plays a role in seed microbiota composition.
• Harnessing seed-associated microbiomes offers potential for enhancing soybean crop health and productivity.