Endospheric microbiome of Lettuce seed

The seed microbiome plays a crucial role in shaping plant health by influencing growth, pathogen resistance, and environmental adaptation. Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) is a widely consumed vegetable often eaten raw, increasing the risk of foodborne illness if contaminated. Consequently, the microbiome of L. sativa seeds has garnered significant research interest due to its impact on plant health and safety of raw-consumed products. Seeds function as reservoirs for microbial transfer to subsequent plant generations and as sources of beneficial microbes that enhance crop productivity and stress tolerance. Despite growing interest in phytomicrobiomes, the composition and functional significance of the lettuce seed microbiome remain incompletely characterized. Modern molecular techniques, including high-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA and ITS regions, enable comprehensive analysis of microbial diversity, identification of dominant bacterial and fungal taxa, and elucidation of their roles in early plant development. The aim of this study is to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the microbial community associated with Lactuca sativa seeds using advanced metagenomic methods, with the objective of identifying key taxa that may influence plant growth and development.