Unlocking the Microbiome Communities of Banana (Musa spp.) under Disease Stressed (Fusarium wilt) and Non-Stressed Conditions.

Manoj Kaushal,Rony Swennen,George Mahuku

doi:10.3390/microorganisms8030443

Manoj Kaushal, Rony Swennen + Show 1 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms8030443

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Abstract

We assessed the diversity, structure, and assemblage of bacterial and fungal communities associated with banana plants with and without Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (Foc) symptoms. A total of 117,814 bacterial and 17,317 fungal operational taxonomy units (OTUs) were identified in the rhizosphere, roots, and corm of the host plant. Results revealed that bacterial and fungal microbiota present in roots and corm primarily emanated from the rhizosphere. The composition of bacterial communities in the rhizosphere, roots, and corm were different, with more diversity observed in the rhizosphere and less in the corm. However, distinct sample types i.e., without (asymptomatic) and with (symptomatic) Fusarium symptoms were the major drivers of the fungal community composition. Considering the high relative abundance among samples, we identified core microbiomes with bacterial and fungal OTUs classified into 20 families and colonizing distinct plant components of banana. Our core microbiome assigned 129 bacterial and 37 fungal genera to known taxa.

Highlights

Rhizospheric and endophytic microbiota have been shown to significantly improve plant health and development [1,2]
The devastation of bananas by Panama disease caused by the soil borne Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (Foc), lack of pesticides, and appropriate resistant varieties encouraged the search for alternatives to sustain productivity
We characterized the bacterial and fungal communities associated with each plant component, location, and sample types

Summary

Introduction

Rhizospheric and endophytic microbiota have been shown to significantly improve plant health and development [1,2]. Beneficial microorganisms in the rhizosphere/roots of bananas have been investigated for potential beneficial impacts [3]. Both roots as well as the thin soil layer adhering to roots, called rhizosphere, host diverse microbial communities. No effective control exists against this devastating disease, and the pathogen can persist in the soil for decades without a suitable host. In this context, and since Foc is soil borne, the study of host-microbiome interactions and defense against phytopathogens might open new ways to improve banana growth and yield [8,9]. There are gaps to be resolved between plant–microbe interactions and their underlying mechanisms [13,14] in support of enhanced production

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