Experimental-Evolution-Driven Identification of <i>Arabidopsis</i> Rhizosphere Competence Genes in Pseudomonas protegens

Abstract

. We found that mutations in global regulators, as well as in genes for siderophore production, cell surface decoration, attachment, and motility, accumulate in parallel, emphasizing these strategies for bacterial adaptation to the rhizosphere. We identified 35 mutations distributed over 28 genes. All together, our results demonstrate the power of experimental evolution in identifying key pathways for rhizosphere colonization and a methodology for the development of elite beneficial microorganisms that can support sustainable agriculture.

Topics & Concepts