Evaluating the hologenome concept by analyzing the root-endosphere microbiota of chimeric plants
Résumé
The hologenome concept considers the entity formed by a host and its microbiota, the holobiont, as new level of hierarchical organization subject to neutral and selective forces. We used grafted plants to formally evaluate the hologenome concept. We analyzed the root-endosphere microbiota of two independent watermelon and grapevine plant systems, including ungrafted and reciprocalgrafting combinations. Grafted and ungrafted hosts harbor markedly different microbiota compositions. Furthermore, the results indicate a non-random assembly of bacterial communities inhabiting the root endosphere of chimeric plants with interactive effect of both the rootstock and scion on the recruitment of microorganisms. Because chimeric plants did not have a random microbiota, the null hypothesis that holobionts assemble randomly and hologenome concept is an intellectual construction only can be rejected. The study supports the relevance of hologenome as biological level of organization and opens new avenues for a better fundamental understanding of plants as holobionts.
Auteurs, date et publication :
Auteurs Marine Biget , Tingting Wang , Cendrine Mony , Qicheng Xu , Lucie Lecoq , Véronique Chable , Kevin R. Theis , Ning Ling , Philippe Vandenkoornhuyse
Publication : iScience
Date : 2025
Volume : 26
Issue : 2
Pages : 106031