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ARS Home » Plains Area » College Station, Texas » Southern Plains Agricultural Research Center » Crop Germplasm Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #367255
Research Project: Pecan Breeding, Genomics, and Genetic Resource Management

Location: Crop Germplasm Research

Title: Influence of geographical location and host genotype on pecan seedling microbiome composition

Author
item CERVANTES, K - New Mexico State University
item Grauke, Larry
item Wang, Xinwang
item CONNER, P - University Of Georgia
item Bock, Clive
item RANDALL, JENNIFER - New Mexico State University

Submitted to: American Society of Plant Biologists
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/2/2019
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Carya illinoinensis (pecan) is native to North America, ranging from Illinois, U.S.A. to Oaxaca, Mexico. Commercial production of pecan has increased and it is now grown in diverse areas around the world. The host genetics and the plant microbiome may play a role in the ability of pecan to adapt to new environments. As such, it is fundamental to elucidate the influence of geographical location and genetics on the microbial populations of pecan. Recent technological innovations used to assess microbiomes have made it possible for us to gain insight into the microbial communities associated with pecan. In a previous study, we explored microbial diversity in two pecan genotypes that were micropropagated that had and had not undergone antibiotic treatments. Microbiome analysis revealed that antibiotic treatments led to a shift in microbiome composition and an overall decrease in microbial diversity. The control samples of each genotype revealed a unique microbial composition. To further investigate factors affecting the microbiome, we sought to determine the microbial composition of a controlled cross using a cultivar and a native genotype ('Lakota' × '87Mx3.211'), from two different geographical locations, Georgia and Texas. Seeds were planted in a soilless potting mix and grown in a quarantine facility. Total DNA was extracted from ten seedlings and sequenced using next generation sequencing technology on each sample to determine the bacterial and fungal compositions. Data was analyzed using the Qiagen CLC Microbial Genomics Module. These analyses allow determination of whether microbiome differences are due to genotype and/or geographical location. After subtracting chloroplast, mitochondria, and other abundant bacterial sequences, initial 16S results indicate that all samples have many of the same classes of bacteria, but with some differences that may be based on parentage and/or geographical origin.