Phosphate Availability Modulates Root Exudate Composition and Rhizosphere Microbial Community in a Teosinte and a Modern Maize Cultivar

Domestication and breeding have affected interactions between plants their microbiomes in ways that are only beginning to be understood but may important implications for recruitment of rhizosphere microorganisms, particularly under stress conditions. We investigated the responses a modern maize (Zea mays subsp. mays) cultivar its wild relative, teosinte (Z. parviglumis), different phosphate availabilities. appraised plant-microbial holobiont stresses by profiling root exudate metabolomes, microbial communities endosphere rhizosphere. also performed plate assays quantify phosphate-solubilizing microorganisms from Although metabolite profiles were distinct high phosphate, both shifted compositions response toward common profile. Root responded significantly plant type availability. A subset bacterial fungal taxa differentially abundant conditions, with each three conditions favoring taxa. Both rhizospheres harbored all growth These results suggest exudation was conserved through domestication teosinte, shifting levels specific metabolites. shifted, plate-based did not detect selective solubilizers