Apple Root Microbiome as Indicator of Plant Adaptation to Apple Replant Diseased Soils
The tree fruit industry in Nova Scotia, Canada, is dominated by the apple (<i>Malus domestica</i>) sector. However, the sector is faced with numerous challenges, including apple replant disease (ARD), which is a well-known problem in areas with intensive apple cultivation. A study was pe...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-05-01
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| Series: | Microorganisms |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/11/6/1372 |
| _version_ | 1797593448970190848 |
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| author | Nivethika Ajeethan Shawkat Ali Keith D. Fuller Lord Abbey Svetlana N. Yurgel |
| author_facet | Nivethika Ajeethan Shawkat Ali Keith D. Fuller Lord Abbey Svetlana N. Yurgel |
| author_sort | Nivethika Ajeethan |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The tree fruit industry in Nova Scotia, Canada, is dominated by the apple (<i>Malus domestica</i>) sector. However, the sector is faced with numerous challenges, including apple replant disease (ARD), which is a well-known problem in areas with intensive apple cultivation. A study was performed using 16S rRNA/18S rRNA and 16S rRNA/ITS2 amplicon sequencing to assess soil- and root-associated microbiomes, respectively, from mature apple orchards and soil microbiomes alone from uncultivated soil. The results indicated significant (<i>p</i> < 0.05) differences in soil microbial community structure and composition between uncultivated soil and cultivated apple orchard soil. We identified an increase in the number of potential pathogens in the orchard soil compared to uncultivated soil. At the same time, we detected a significant (<i>p</i> < 0.05) increase in relative abundances of several potential plant-growth-promoting or biocontrol microorganisms and non-fungal eukaryotes capable of promoting the proliferation of bacterial biocontrol agents in orchard soils. Additionally, the apple roots accumulated several potential PGP bacteria from Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria phyla, while the relative abundances of fungal taxa with the potential to contribute to ARD, such as Nectriaceae and plant pathogenic <i>Fusarium</i> spp., were decreased in the apple root microbiome compared to the soil microbiome. The results suggest that the health of a mature apple tree can be ascribed to a complex interaction between potential pathogenic and plant growth-promoting microorganisms in the soil and on apple roots. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T02:08:17Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-6ba00c7df2d34d54b5010d0cb294ed7b |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-2607 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T02:08:17Z |
| publishDate | 2023-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Microorganisms |
| spelling | doaj.art-6ba00c7df2d34d54b5010d0cb294ed7b2023-11-18T11:41:00ZengMDPI AGMicroorganisms2076-26072023-05-01116137210.3390/microorganisms11061372Apple Root Microbiome as Indicator of Plant Adaptation to Apple Replant Diseased SoilsNivethika Ajeethan0Shawkat Ali1Keith D. Fuller2Lord Abbey3Svetlana N. Yurgel4Department of Plant, Food, and Environmental Sciences, Dalhousie University, Truro NS B2N 5E3, CanadaAgriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Kentville Research and Development Centre, Kentville NS B4N 1J5, CanadaAgriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Kentville Research and Development Centre, Kentville NS B4N 1J5, CanadaDepartment of Plant, Food, and Environmental Sciences, Dalhousie University, Truro NS B2N 5E3, CanadaUSDA, ARS, Grain Legume Genetics and Physiology Research Unit, Prosser, WA 99350, USAThe tree fruit industry in Nova Scotia, Canada, is dominated by the apple (<i>Malus domestica</i>) sector. However, the sector is faced with numerous challenges, including apple replant disease (ARD), which is a well-known problem in areas with intensive apple cultivation. A study was performed using 16S rRNA/18S rRNA and 16S rRNA/ITS2 amplicon sequencing to assess soil- and root-associated microbiomes, respectively, from mature apple orchards and soil microbiomes alone from uncultivated soil. The results indicated significant (<i>p</i> < 0.05) differences in soil microbial community structure and composition between uncultivated soil and cultivated apple orchard soil. We identified an increase in the number of potential pathogens in the orchard soil compared to uncultivated soil. At the same time, we detected a significant (<i>p</i> < 0.05) increase in relative abundances of several potential plant-growth-promoting or biocontrol microorganisms and non-fungal eukaryotes capable of promoting the proliferation of bacterial biocontrol agents in orchard soils. Additionally, the apple roots accumulated several potential PGP bacteria from Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria phyla, while the relative abundances of fungal taxa with the potential to contribute to ARD, such as Nectriaceae and plant pathogenic <i>Fusarium</i> spp., were decreased in the apple root microbiome compared to the soil microbiome. The results suggest that the health of a mature apple tree can be ascribed to a complex interaction between potential pathogenic and plant growth-promoting microorganisms in the soil and on apple roots.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/11/6/1372specific replant diseaseapple replant diseaseapple microbiomeplant growth promoting microbes |
| spellingShingle | Nivethika Ajeethan Shawkat Ali Keith D. Fuller Lord Abbey Svetlana N. Yurgel Apple Root Microbiome as Indicator of Plant Adaptation to Apple Replant Diseased Soils Microorganisms specific replant disease apple replant disease apple microbiome plant growth promoting microbes |
| title | Apple Root Microbiome as Indicator of Plant Adaptation to Apple Replant Diseased Soils |
| title_full | Apple Root Microbiome as Indicator of Plant Adaptation to Apple Replant Diseased Soils |
| title_fullStr | Apple Root Microbiome as Indicator of Plant Adaptation to Apple Replant Diseased Soils |
| title_full_unstemmed | Apple Root Microbiome as Indicator of Plant Adaptation to Apple Replant Diseased Soils |
| title_short | Apple Root Microbiome as Indicator of Plant Adaptation to Apple Replant Diseased Soils |
| title_sort | apple root microbiome as indicator of plant adaptation to apple replant diseased soils |
| topic | specific replant disease apple replant disease apple microbiome plant growth promoting microbes |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/11/6/1372 |
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