Endophytic Microbiome Variation Among Single Plant Seeds

Like other plant compartments, the seed harbors a microbiome. The members of microbiome are first to colonize germinating seedling, and they may initiate trajectory assembly for next generation. Therefore, important dynamics vertical transmission potentially beneficial symbionts. However, it remains challenging assess at individual level (and, therefore, future plants) due low endophytic microbial biomass, exudates that can select particular members, high plastid contamination resulting reads. Here, we report protocol extracting DNA from an (common bean, Phaseolus vulgaris) with minimal disruption host tissue, which expect be generalizable medium- large-seed species. We applied this determine 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) V4 rRNA internal transcribed spacer 2 amplicon composition examine variability harvested replicate common bean plants grown under standard, controlled conditions maintain health. Using extractions seeds, compared seed-to-seed, pod-to-pod, plant-to-plant microbiomes, found highest level. This suggests several seeds same could pooled assessment, given experimental designs apply treatments parent study adds protocols insights growing toolkit approaches understand plant-microbiome engagements support health agricultural environmental ecosystems.