Evaluating the Hologenome Concept by the Analysis of 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 evaluate the hologenome concept. If deterministic forces shape plant holobionts, then grafted plants will exhibit a particular signature in the root microbiota community, the holobiont composition. Reciprocally, if the microbiota of these chimeric plants is randomly assembled, the hologenome concept would be of limited importance for plants. We analyzed the root-endosphere microbiota of two independent model plant systems including ungrafted and reciprocal-grafting treatments. Consistent with the idea that co-evolution shapes at least in part host-microbiota combinations, grafted and ungrafted hosts harbor markedly different microbiota compositions. The results indicate a non-random assembly of bacterial communities inhabiting the root endosphere of chimeric plants with a stronger effect of the rootstock than 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 , Veronique Chable , Kevin R. Theis , Ning Ling , Philippe Vandenkoornhuyse
Date : 2022