Differentiation of the foliar microbiomes from co-occurring grass species reflects their recency of invasion

Authors: Fulcher, Michael

Submitted to: Ecology and Evolution
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/22/2026
Publication Date: 8/7/2026
Citation: Fulcher, M.R. 2026. Differentiation of the foliar microbiomes from co-occurring grass species reflects their recency of invasion. Ecology and Evolution. 16, no. 8:e74128. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.74128.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.74128

Interpretive Summary: Non-native invasive plants cost the U.S. agricultural economy $34 billion each year. These invasive plants carry thousands of microbes, and a small number of those microbes may be turned into new weed control tools. Understanding which microbes are found in which invasive plants is a challenging but important step in developing these microbial weed control tools. Agricultural Research Service scientists in Maryland discovered that two invasive grasses, wavyleaf basketgrass and Japanese stiltgrass, carry different microbes even when they are growing next to each other. Using those differences, scientists can now pick out individual microbes that might be used to control each invasive plant. This work benefits researchers and land managers trying to lower the cost of harmful plant invasions.

Technical Abstract: Above-ground microbial communities associated with non-native invasive plants are infrequently characterized, particularly during the early stages of an invasion event. This study examined the foliar fungal and bacterial microbiomes of two co-occurring invasive grasses found in the Mid-Atlantic United States, recently introduced Oplismenus undulatifolius and long-established Microstegium vimineum. Amplicon sequencing was performed to characterize endophytic communities collected from healthy plants at replicate plots within two field sites. Microbial community diversity, composition, and structure were contrasted between hosts. Oplismenus endophytic communities exhibited lower diversity within samples, greater turnover between individuals and populations, and weaker network structure than communities recovered from Microstegium. Despite occupying the same physical and ecological niches, these invasive grasses carried significantly different microbial communities. Between host differences were consistent with a more recent loss of symbioses during Oplismenus invasion and a lag in the acquisition of new, stable associations. The results of this study contribute to our understanding of co-occurring invasive weed communities and provide insight into the formation of an emerging, invasive Oplismenus microbiome.