Brassica napus Bacterial Assembly Processes Vary with Plant Compartment and Growth Stage but Not between Lines
Jennifer K. Bell, Steven D. Mamet, Bobbi L. Helgason, Steven D. Siciliano
Abstract
In order to harness the microbiome for more sustainable crop production, we must first have a better understanding of microbial community assembly processes that occurring during plant development. This study examines the bacterial community assembly processes of the leaf, root, and rhizosphere of eight different lines of Brassica napus over the growing season. The influence of growth stage and B. napus line were examined in conjunction with the assembly processes. Understanding what influences the assembly processes of crops might allow for more targeted breeding efforts by working with the plant to manipulate the microbiome when it is undergoing the strongest selection pressure.