Extension of plant phenotypes by the foliar microbiome

Authors: HAWKES, CHRISTINE - North Carolina State University; KJOLLER, RASMUS - University Of Copenhagen; RAAIJMAKERS, JOS - Netherlands Institute Of Ecology; RIBER, LEISE - University Of Copenhagen; CHRISTENSEN, SVEND - University Of Copenhagen; RASMUSSEN, SIMON - University Of Copenhagen; CHRISTENSEN, JAN - University Of Copenhagen; DAHL, ANDERS - Technical University Of Denmark; WESTERGAARD, JESPER - University Of Copenhagen; NIELSEN, MADS - University Of Copenhagen; Brown-Guedira, Gina; HANSEN, LARS - University Of Copenhagen

Submitted to: Annual Reviews of Plant Biology
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/1/2021
Publication Date: 6/23/2021
Citation: Hawkes, C.V., Kjoller, R., Raaijmakers, J.M., Riber, L., Christensen, S., Rasmussen, S., Christensen, J.H., Dahl, A.B., Westergaard, J.C., Nielsen, M., Brown Guedira, G.L., Hansen, L.H. 2021. Extension of plant phenotypes by the foliar microbiome. Annual Reviews of Plant Biology. 72:823-846. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-arplant-080620-114342.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-arplant-080620-114342

Interpretive Summary: The foliar microbiome can extend the host plant phenotype by expanding its genomic and metabolic capabilities. Despite increasing recognition of the importance of the foliar microbiome for plant fitness, stress physiology, and yield, the diversity, function, and contribution of foliar microbiomes to plant phenotypic traits remain largely elusive for most plant species. The recent adoption of diverse high-throughput technologies is helping to unravel the diversity and spatiotemporal dynamics of foliar microbiomes, but we have yet to resolve their functional importance for plant growth, development and ecology. Here, we focus on the processes that govern the assembly of the foliar microbiome and the potential mechanisms involved in extended plant phenotypes. We highlight knowledge gaps and provide suggestions for new research directions that can propel the field forward. These efforts will be instrumental in maximizing the functional potential of the foliar microbiome for sustainable crop production.

Technical Abstract: The foliar microbiome can extend the host plant phenotype by expanding its genomic and metabolic capabilities. Despite increasing recognition of the importance of the foliar microbiome for plant fitness, stress physiology, and yield, the diversity, function, and contribution of foliar microbiomes to plant phenotypic traits remain largely elusive for most plant species. The recent adoption of diverse high-throughput technologies is helping to unravel the diversity and spatiotemporal dynamics of foliar microbiomes, but we have yet to resolve their functional importance for plant growth, development and ecology. Here, we focus on the processes that govern the assembly of the foliar microbiome and the potential mechanisms involved in extended plant phenotypes. We highlight knowledge gaps and provide suggestions for new research directions that can propel the field forward. These efforts will be instrumental in maximizing the functional potential of the foliar microbiome for sustainable crop production.