Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 21, 2026
09:55
Exploring the Root Microbiome: Extracting Bacterial Community Data from the Soil, Rhizosphere, and Root Endosphere
Published on: May 2, 2018
28.6K
Heritability of the Pinus radiata root microbiome
Natalie J Graham1,2, Gancho Slavov3, Steve A Wakelin1
1Bioeconomy Science Institute, Rotorua, New Zealand.
Frontiers in Plant Science
|April 20, 2026
Summary
Host family influences the fungal root microbiome in Pinus radiata, with several heritable bacterial and fungal microbes identified. This suggests potential for microbiome traits in tree breeding programs.
Area of Science:
- Plant biology
- Microbiome research
- Genetics
Background:
- Plant microbiomes are shaped by evolutionary history and breeding.
- Pinus radiata is a model for tree-microbiome interactions.
- Host genotype effects on P. radiata microbiomes are largely unknown beyond seedlings.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate associations between P. radiata root microbiome composition and host genetics.
- Determine the influence of ancestry, family, and genotype on bacterial and fungal microbiomes.
- Assess the heritability of microbial communities in P. radiata.
Main Methods:
- Sampled root microbiomes from 528 P. radiata trees across 132 genotypes and 28 families.
- Analyzed bacterial and fungal amplicon sequence variants (ASVs).
- Assessed microbiome variation in relation to host provenance, family, and genotype.
Main Results:
- Host family associated with fungal, but not bacterial, root microbiome composition.
- Broader ancestry and individual genotype showed no significant effects.
- Low to moderate heritability (0.2-0.46) observed for 83 bacterial and 13 fungal non-core ASVs.
- Heritable ASV abundances were mainly influenced by non-additive genetic effects.
Conclusions:
- Subtle host family effects on P. radiata root fungal microbiomes were identified.
- Several bacterial and fungal ASVs exhibited heritability.
- Findings highlight opportunities and challenges for incorporating microbiome traits into tree breeding.
More Related Videos
12:05A Workflow for the Quantitative Assessment of the Endophytic and Epiphytic Bacterial Microbiomes of the Bark of Populus trichocarpa
Published on: June 27, 2025
1.4K
08:42Author Spotlight: In Vitro Co-Culture System of Pine Shoots and Pinewood Nematode for Studying Host Volatile Response
Published on: September 27, 2024
1.3K
Related Concept Videos
01:06Heritability
940
Heritability is a statistical concept that measures the degree to which genetic differences among individuals contribute to trait variations within a population. It is a fundamental idea in genetics, often prone to misinterpretation. Heritability is expressed as a percentage, reflecting the proportion of variation in a specific trait across a population that can be linked to genetic differences. However, it's important to understand that heritability does not determine how "genetic"...
940
01:29Soil Microbial Ecology
62
Soil microbial ecology is defined by highly diverse, spatially structured communities that drive nutrient cycling, organic matter turnover, and overall ecosystem stability. Although a gram of soil can contain thousands of bacterial and archaeal taxa, the ecological processes they mediate are even more crucial for sustaining terrestrial life.Microhabitats and NichesSoil is a heterogeneous mixture of minerals, organic matter, water, and air. Microbes inhabit distinct microhabitats formed by...
62
01:22Phylogenetic Species Concept in Microbiology
166
The phylogenetic species concept (PSC) is a framework used to delineate species based on evolutionary relationships, emphasizing shared ancestry and diagnosable genetic traits. Unlike morphological or biological species concepts, the PSC is particularly advantageous for microbial taxonomy, where traditional reproductive or phenotypic criteria often fall short due to the prevalence of asexual reproduction, minimal morphological differentiation, and widespread horizontal gene transfer among...
166
02:11The Roles of Bacteria and Fungi in Plant Nutrition
49.7K
Plants have the impressive ability to create their own food through photosynthesis. However, plants often require assistance from organisms in the soil to acquire the nutrients they need to function correctly. Both bacteria and fungi have evolved symbiotic relationships with plants that help the species to thrive in a wide variety of environments.
49.7K
01:30Development of Human Microbiota
54
The human microbiota begins developing at birth and undergoes continual change as we age. Infancy marks a critical period of microbial sensitivity, offering a “window of opportunity” during which beneficial microbes help mature the immune system. By age three, children typically develop a more stable and diverse microbial community. Newborns acquire microbes from their immediate environment; vaginal delivery favors maternal vaginal microbes, while cesarean births favor microbes from...
54
01:29Microbiota of the Respiratory Tract
47
The human respiratory tract, comprising the upper and lower segments, serves as a critical interface with the external environment. The upper respiratory tract (URT)—including the nostrils, sinuses, pharynx, and oropharynx—is heavily colonized by microbes, while the lower respiratory tract (LRT), composed of the larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs, was long thought to be sterile. However, recent molecular studies have revealed that the lungs are not devoid of microbes but act more...
47