Protists: Puppet Masters of the Rhizosphere Microbiome

Abstract

The rhizosphere microbiome is a central determinant of plant performance. Microbiome assembly has traditionally been investigated from a bottom-up perspective, assessing how resources such as root exudates drive microbiome assembly. However, the importance of predation as a driver of microbiome structure has to date largely remained overlooked. Here we review the importance of protists, a paraphyletic group of unicellular eukaryotes, as a key regulator of microbiome assembly. Protists can promote plant-beneficial functions within the microbiome, accelerate nutrient cycling, and remove pathogens. We conclude that protists form an essential component of the rhizosphere microbiome and that accounting for predator-prey interactions would greatly improve our ability to predict and manage microbiome function at the service of plant growth and health.

Published in

Trends in Plant Science
2019, volume: 24, number: 2, pages: 165-176
Publisher: ELSEVIER SCIENCE LONDON

SLU Authors

• Karlsson, Ida

  • Department of Forest Mycology and Plant Pathology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    
  • Utrecht University

Associated SLU-program

SLU Plant Protection Network

UKÄ Subject classification

Microbiology
Botany

Publication identifier

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tplants.2018.10.011

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/98197