Let the Core Microbiota Be Functional. (July 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lemanceau, Philippe; Blouin, Manuel; Muller, Daniel; Moënne-Loccoz, Yvan
• Is Part Of: Trends in plant science. Volume 22:Number 7(2017)
• Page Start: 583
• Page End: 595
• Publication Date: 2017-07
• Subjects: core microbiota -- rhizosphere -- holobiont -- coevolution -- agroecology; Botany -- Periodicals; Botanique -- Périodiques; Botany; Periodicals; 580.5
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tplants.2017.04.008
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1360-1385

Abstract

Abstract : The microbial community that is systematically associated with a given host plant is called the core microbiota. The definition of the core microbiota was so far based on its taxonomic composition, but we argue that it should also be based on its functions. This so-called functional core microbiota encompasses microbial vehicles carrying replicators (genes) with essential functions for holobiont (i.e., plant plus microbiota) fitness. It builds up from enhanced horizontal transfers of replicators as well as from ecological enrichment of their vehicles. The transmission pathways of this functional core microbiota vary over plant generations according to environmental constraints and its added value for holobiont fitness. Trends: Recent advances in next-generation sequencing technology have boosted the field of plant–microorganism interactions, especially in rhizosphere ecology. The principle of a core microbiota has been proposed to describe the microbial community that is systematically associated with a given plant genotype. So far, this core microbiota was mostly defined on the basis of DNA sequences with taxonomic value, and not on their functional relevance. However, biogeography studies suggest that microbial reservoirs may differ depending upon soil types, thus questioning the universal distribution of the taxonomic core microbiota under various environmental conditions. The microbiota recruited by a given plant genotype in different environments seems to share greater functional similarity than taxonomic similarity.