Microbial specialized metabolites stabilises the Arabidopsis thaliana leaf microbiome and protect the host

The Arabidopsis thaliana microbiome was studied in vitro and in planta using a synthetic community (SynCom) comprising bacterial and yeast members of the core microbiome. These commensal microbial members play a critical role in plant protection. One mechanism underlying this protection appears to involve the exchange of small molecules.