Open AccessA Call for Research: A Resource of Core Microbial Symbionts of the Arabidopsis thaliana Microbiome Ready and Awaiting Experimental Exploration
Author(s) -
Kenneth Dumack,
Melanie Sapp,
Tiemo von Steimker,
Anna Tatjana Mänz,
Laura Rose,
Michael Bonkowski
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
phytobiomes journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.382
H-Index - 12
ISSN - 2471-2906
DOI - 10.1094/pbiomes-11-20-0080-a
Subject(s) - microbiome , biology , rhizosphere , arabidopsis thaliana , protist , symbiosis , plant species , holobiont , ecology , botany , bacteria , bioinformatics , gene , genetics , mutant
The characterization of specific subsets of soil microbiota in the rhizosphere and endosphere has led to the recognition of plant species-specific microbiomes. Most attention has been given to microbial prokaryotes and fungi. Only recently was convincing evidence for the existence of plant species-specific protist microbiomes presented. Although protists are expected to shape the composition of bacterial and fungal communities and, thereby, directly impact plant health, a lack of cultures of these important plant-symbiotic protists has hampered their experimental exploration. To facilitate empirical plant microbiome research, we sampled Arabidopsis thaliana, established 79 cultures covering nearly all major groups of plant-symbiotic Cercozoa (protists), and have made these publicly available. We discuss our findings and propose potential roles that these protists may have in structuring the plant microbiome.