Stress-specialized phyllosphere exudates select for distinct microbiome members in sorghum epicuticular wax and aerial root mucilage

We investigate the microbial communities associated with the sorghum epicuticular wax and aerial root mucilage. We hypothesized that these phyllospheric exudates selectively enrich for specific microbiome members that support host resilience. Thus, we assessed the microbiome associated with the epicuticular wax from sorghum plants under non-limiting and limiting water conditions, and the aerial root mucilage from N-fertilized and non-fertilized sorghum plants.