Fusaric acid mediates the assembly of disease-suppressive rhizosphere microbiota via induced shifts in plant root exudates

The plant health status is determined by the interplay of plant-pathogen-microbiota in the rhizosphere. Here, we investigate this tripartite system focusing on the pathogen Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici (FOL) and tomato plants as a model system. First, we explore differences in tomato genotype resistance to FOL potentially associated with the differential recruitment of plant-protective rhizosphere taxa. Second, we show the production of fusaric acid by FOL to trigger systemic changes in the rhizosphere microbiota. Specifically, we show this molecule to have opposite effects on the recruitment of rhizosphere disease-suppressive taxa in the resistant and susceptible genotypes. Last, we elucidate that…

• UD
  U.S. Department of Agriculture
• NN
  National Natural Science Foundation of China

  Awards: 42325704, 32072655, 32272792, 32072655, 32272792
• NI
  National Institute of Food and Agriculture

  Awards: 7006279, PEN04908
• FR
  Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities

  Award: KYT2024001