Achieving similar root microbiota composition in neighbouring plants through airborne signalling |
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| Authors: | Hyun Gi Kong Geun Cheol Song Hee-Jung Sim Choong-Min Ryu |
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| Institution: | 1.Molecular Phytobacteriology Laboratory, Infectious Disease Research Center, KRIBB, Daejeon, 34141 South Korea ;2.Crop Protection Division, National Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Rural Development Administration, Wanju-gun, 54875 South Korea ;3.Plant Nutrition Laboratory, Industrial Microbiology Center, CJ, Suwon, 16509 South Korea ;4.Environmental Chemistry Research Group, Korea Institute of Toxicology (KIT), 17 Jegok-gil, Munsan-eup, Jinju, 52834 South Korea |
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| Abstract: | The ability to recognize and respond to environmental signals is essential for plants. In response to environmental changes, the status of a plant is transmitted to other plants in the form of signals such as volatiles. Root-associated bacteria trigger the release of plant volatile organic compounds (VOCs). However, the impact of VOCs on the rhizosphere microbial community of neighbouring plants is not well understood. Here, we investigated the effect of VOCs on the rhizosphere microbial community of tomato plants inoculated with a plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain GB03 and that of their neighbouring plants. Interestingly, high similarity (up to 69%) was detected in the rhizosphere microbial communities of the inoculated and neighbouring plants. Leaves of the tomato plant treated with strain GB03-released β-caryophyllene as a signature VOC, which elicited the release of a large amount of salicylic acid (SA) in the root exudates of a neighbouring tomato seedling. The exposure of tomato leaves to β-caryophyllene resulted in the secretion of SA from the root. Our results demonstrate for the first time that the composition of the rhizosphere microbiota in surrounding plants is synchronized through aerial signals from plants.Subject terms: Microbial ecology, Soil microbiology |
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