PMA 16S RNA sequencing of HLB-affected citrus samples

Metagenomic analysis was widely used to study the citrus endophytic microbiomes. However, the standard 16S sequencing approaches do not differentiate bacterial compositions resulting from the amplification of DNA from dead or live cells. PMA treatment of tissues before DNA extraction can effectively exclude DNA from dead bacterial cells. However, there are no reports of its use to decipher the viable microbiome in HLB affected citrus trees. In this study, we explored PMAs utility in assessing the viable microbial communities in HLB affected citrus trees after oxytetracycline treatment, using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing in conjunction with PMA treatment.