Microbial Cross-Talk: Dissecting the Core Microbiota Associated With Flue-Cured Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) Plants Under Healthy and Diseased State

Bacterial wilt caused by Ralstonia solanacearum is a devastating disease of flue-cured tobacco production which poses significant yield losses all around the world. In this study, we evaluated the rhizosphere microbiome of healthy and bacterial wilt-infected (diseased) flue-cured tobacco plants through amplification of V3-V4 and ITS1-5f variable regions of 16S and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) rRNA. The study was based on the location (Qujing, Shilin, and Wenshan), plant components (rhizosphere soil and roots), and sample types (healthy and diseased) to assess the diversity of bacterial and fungal communities. Bacterial and fungal communities present in roots primarily emanated from rhizosphere soil. Healthy flue-cured tobacco plants exhibit high microbial diversity compared to diseased plants. Among three variables, plant components significantly influence the diversity of microbial communities, whereas rhizosphere soil harbors higher microbial diversity than roots. Bacterial phyla Cyanobacteria and Proteobacteria were found in high relative abundance in roots and rhizosphere soil samples, respectively. As far as fungi is concerned, a high relative abundance of Ascomycota and Basidiomycota was found in both rhizosphere soil and root. Bacterial genera such as Bacillus, Bradyrhizobium, Ensifer, Neorhizobium, and Lysobacter related to plant growth promotion and disease suppressing abilities were dominant than fungal genera. Analysis of relative abundance at specie-level revealed that most fungal species are pathogenic to flue-cured tobacco and could provide a conducive environment for wilt infection. In conclusion, R. solanacearum significantly influences the microbial diversity of flue-cured tobacco plants and negatively affects the bacterial community composition. Altogether, our study demonstrates the complexity of bacterial and fungal communities that possibly interact with each other (microbe-microbe) and host (host-microbe). This cross-talk could be helpful for healthy flue-cured tobacco plant growth and to induce resistance against bacterial wilt disease.

Automated summary

This study evaluated the rhizosphere microbiome of healthy and bacterial wilt-infected flue-cured tobacco plants. The results showed that healthy plants have higher microbial diversity, and rhizosphere soil has higher microbial diversity compared to roots. Cyanobacteria and Proteobacteria were found in high abundance in roots and rhizosphere soil, while Ascomycota and Basidiomycota had high relative abundance in both rhizosphere soil and root. Bacterial genera related to plant growth promotion and disease suppression were dominant. Most fungal species were pathogenic to flue-cured tobacco and could provide a conducive environment for wilt infection.