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bioRxiv · 10.1101/2024.04.04.588073

Comparative metagenomic profiling of seed-borne microbiomes in a landrace and a hybrid maize variety

Henaut-Jacobs, S.·Cyriaco, B. E. B.·Pedrosa-Silva, F.·Olivares, F. L.·Venancio, T. M.
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Abstract

The plant seed-borne microbiome comprises microorganisms vertically inherited from the mother plant. This microbiome is often linked to early-life protection and seedling growth promotion. Here, we compare the seed-borne bacteriomes of a commercial hybrid and a landrace maize variety. The landrace variety displays a more diverse seed-borne microbiome, featuring a variety of taxa across samples. In contrast, the microbiome of the hybrid variety is less diverse and more uniform across samples. Although both microbiomes lack a functional nitrogen fixation apparatus, we found a remarkably distinct presence of genes associated with phytohormone production and phosphate solubilization, particularly in the landrace variety. In addition, we recovered 18 metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs), including four from potentially novel species. Collectively, our results allow a better understanding of the contrasting diversity between maize varieties and open important perspectives for designing synthetic microbial communities for agroecosystems.

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Henaut-Jacobs, S., Cyriaco, B. E. B., Pedrosa-Silva, F., Olivares, F. L., Venancio, T. M.. 2024-04-06. Comparative metagenomic profiling of seed-borne microbiomes in a landrace and a hybrid maize variety. https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.04.04.588073

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