The bacteria and fungi associated with the leaves of Arabidopsis thaliana

Identifying the factors that influence the outcome of host-microbial interactions is critical to protecting biodiversity, minimizing agricultural losses, and improving human health. A few genes that determine symbiosis or resistance to infectious disease have been identified in model species, but a comprehensive examination of how a host's genotype influences the structure of its microbial community is lacking. We conducted a field experiment using Arabidopsis thaliana to determine if host-genetic variation shapes the composition of its leaf bacterial and fungal community.