RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Maize Phyllosphere Microbial Community Niche Development Across Stages of Host Leaf Growth
JF bioRxiv
FD Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
SP 161158
DO 10.1101/161158
A1 Heather C. Manching
A1 Kara Carlson
A1 Sean Kosowsky
A1 C. Tyler Smitherman
A1 Ann E. Stapleton
YR 2017
UL http://biorxiv.org/content/early/2017/07/10/161158.abstract
AB The phyllosphere hosts a variety of microorganisms, including bacteria, which can play a positive role in the success of the host plant. Bacterial communities in the phylloplane are influenced by both biotic and abiotic factors, including host plant surface topography and chemistry, which change in concert with microbial communities as the plant leaves develop and age. We examined how Zea mays leaf microbial community structure changed with plant age. Ribosomal spacer length (ARISA) and scanning electron microscopic (size trait) imaging strategies were used to assess microbial community composition across maize plant ages, using a novel staggered experimental design. Significant changes in community composition were observed for both molecular and imaging analyses, and the two analysis methods provided complementary information about bacterial community structure within each leaf developmental stage. Both taxonomic and cell-size trait patterns provided evidence for niche-based contributions to microbial community development on leaves.