Multiple drivers of Salix phylicifolia inflorescence microbiome

Here, we investigated in a manipulative experiment how the floral visitation by pollinators influences the community structure of bacteria and fungi in Salix phylicifolia inflorescences under natural conditions. We analysed the microbiome and measured pollen removal in open and bagged inflorescences of Salix phylicifolia in sites where there were honeybees foraging and in sites without honeybees. Although site and plant genotype explained most of the variation in microbial communities, insect visitation and honeybees had a small but significant effect on the community composition of microbes.