Differentiation of endospheric microbiota in ancient and modern wheat cultivars roots. wheat cultivars microbiota

Aims Modern plant breeding and agrosystems artificialization could have altered plants’ ability to filter and recruit beneficial microorganisms in its microbiota. Thus, compared to modern cultivars, we hypothesized that root microbiota in ancient wheat cultivars are more resistant to colonization by fungi and bacteria and contain fewer pathogens.MethodsWe used an in-field experimental design including six wheat varieties (three ancient vs. three modern) grown in monoculture and in mixture (three replicates each). Endospheric microbiota of wheat roots were analyzed on four individuals sampled randomly in each plot. Composition-based clustering of sequences was then characterized from amplicon mass-sequencing. ResultsWe show that the composition of bacteria and fungi microbiota in wheat roots differed between in ancient and modern cultivars. However, the responses observed varied with the group considered. Modern cultivars harboured more bacterial and fungal pathogens than ancient cultivars. A synergic effect was identified in mixtures of modern cultivars.ConclusionThe present study shows the effect of plant breeding on the microbiota associated plant roots. Our results suggest the importance of a holobiont-vision while considering plant selection in crops and call for better integration of symbiosis in the development of next-generation agricultural practices.