Abstract
The rocky, seasonally-dry and nutrient-impoverished soils of the Brazilian campos rupestres impose severe growth-limiting conditions on plants. Species of a dominant plant family, Velloziaceae, are highly specialized to low-nutrient conditions and seasonal water availability of this environment, where phosphorus (P) is the key limiting nutrient. Despite plant-microbe associations playing critical roles in stressful ecosystems, the contribution of these interactions in the campos rupestres remains poorly studied. Here we present the first microbiome data of Velloziaceae spp. thriving in contrasting substrates of campos rupestres. We assessed the microbiomes of Vellozia epidendroides, which occupies shallow patches of soil, and Barbacenia macrantha, growing on exposed rocks. The prokaryotic and fungal profiles were assessed by rRNA barcode sequencing of epiphytic and endophytic compartments of roots, stems, leaves and surrounding soil/rocks. We also generated root and substrate (rock/soil)-associated metagenomes of each plant species. We foresee that these data will contribute to decipher how the microbiome contributes to plant functioning in the campos rupestres, and to unravel new strategies for improved crop productivity in stressful environments.
Highlights
Background & SummaryThe Brazilian campos rupestres are an ecoregion located on the rocky outcrops of central and eastern regions of Brazil (Fig. 1a)[1]
Despite containing some of the world’s most P-impoverished soils[3], the campos rupestres are a biodiversity hotspot that harbors exceptional diversity and endemism. Even though they occupy less than 1% of the Brazilian land area, the campos rupestres host more than five thousand vascular plant
We found that 271 and 104, out of 1,403, MetaCyc pathways are differentially abundant (FDR < 0.05) between soil and rock-associated and between V. epidendroides and B. macrantha-associated communities, respectively (Supplementary Fig. S2)
Summary
The Brazilian campos rupestres are an ecoregion located on the rocky outcrops of central and eastern regions of Brazil (Fig. 1a)[1]. A dominant monocot plant family, Velloziaceae, displays remarkable success in this environment Members of this group display strategies to cope with extremely nutrient-poor soils, such as efficient P remobilization from senescent leaves, the formation of rhizosheaths and vellozioid roots, which exhibit root-mediated carboxylate secretion that enhances nutrient uptake[5,6]. The functional role of the microbial communities associated with native species thriving in different campos rupestres environments remains obscure. We found that 271 and 104, out of 1,403, MetaCyc pathways are differentially abundant (FDR < 0.05) between soil and rock-associated and between V. epidendroides and B. macrantha-associated communities, respectively (Supplementary Fig. S2) These data are the result of the first effort to explore microbiomes of the campos rupestres and have the potential to uncover novel functional roles of plant-associated microbial community. We expected it to be relevant to both the understanding of the role of microorganisms in plant survival and the development of novel strategies to improve crop productivity in stressful environments
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
