Changes in phyllosphere microbiome - The dynamics of leaf city
S. KROLL (1), M. Agler (2), E. Kemen (2) (1) Max-Planck-Institute for Plant Breeding Research, Germany; (2) Max-Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research, Germany; (3) Max-Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research, Germany

Microbial communities have been shown to be of great importance for plant growth and performance highlighting its potential to increase yields and pathogen resistance. The majority of studies focuses on static microbial networks, which display snapshots. There is hardly any knowledge about the underlying dynamics of host-associated microbial communities. To decipher these dynamics, we performed time-resolved community profiling of eukaryotic and prokaryotic microbes in field experiments with Arabidopsis. Different plant genotypes were used and abiotic factors monitored, to correlate community variation to these factors. Microbial communities from our field plantings could be clustered by the presence of the biotrophic pathogen genus Albugo unrevealing a clear line of dependencies. To dissect mechanisms of microbe-microbe interactions within the community we performed trophic interaction studies under axenic conditions. We could show that reproductive success of Albugo depends on associated microbes including a yeast of the genus Dioszegia. In return, Dioszegia fitness is negatively influenced by the presence of certain proteobacteria. Our findings reveal a close interplay between the pathogen Albugo, Dioszegia and bacteria, which is likely crucial for community assembly. We are currently using this system to dissect molecular mechanisms to better understand microbe-microbe interactions that benefit pathogenicity of different organisms as a target for crop protection.

Abstract Number: C10-4, P4-119
Session Type: Concurrent