How the Pathobiome Shapes Development of Fusarium wilt in tomatoes

The one-pathogen-one-disease model is increasingly challenged by complex microbial interactions. This study explores the role of microbial interactions for Fusarium species and their role in disease development, from the pathobiome perspective. Using in-vivo and in-vitro baiting assays, we isolated diverse bacterial communities associated with F. oxysporum and F. solani in different soil types. These communities varied significantly across spatial niches and fungal species but were conserved across different soil microbial reservoirs. Eight bacterial communities exacerbated Fusarium wilt development in tomato plants, identifying them as potential pathobiomes. Metabolomic analysis using untargeted LC-MS/MS showed that these pathobiome communities significantly altered the metabolite profile of the pathogen, suggesting a conserved functional influence despite phylogenetic variation within community composition. Key metabolites, such as malate, phospholipidcholine, piperazine along with several amino acids and nucleotides, were identified as potential interaction drivers. This study highlights the importance of microbe-microbe interactions to provide a deeper understanding of pathogenesis and offer new avenues for disease management strategies.