Saving seed microbiomes

ISME J. 2018 May;12(5):1167-1170. doi: 10.1038/s41396-017-0028-2. Epub 2018 Jan 15.

Abstract

Plant seeds are home to diverse microbial communities whose composition is determined by plant genotype, environment, and management practices. Plant domestication is now recognized as an important driver of plant-associated microbial diversity. To what extent and how domestication affects seed microbiomes is less well studied. Here we propose a 'back-to-the-future' approach to harness seed microbiomes of wild relatives of crop cultivars to save and re-instate missing beneficial seed microbes for improved plant tolerance to biotic and abiotic stress.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Domestication
  • Genotype
  • Microbiota*
  • Plants / genetics
  • Seeds / microbiology*
  • Stress, Physiological