Nectar peroxide: assessing variation among plant species, microbial tolerance, and effects on microbial community assembly.

ABSTRACT: Nectar contains antimicrobial constituents including hydrogen peroxide, yet it is unclear how widespread nectar hydrogen peroxide might be among plant species or how effective it is against common nectar microbes. Here, we surveyed 45 flowering plant species across 23 families and reviewed the literature to assess the field-realistic range of nectar hydrogen peroxide (Aim 1). We experimentally explored whether plant defense hormones increase nectar hydrogen peroxide (Aim 2). Further, we tested the hypotheses that variation in microbial tolerance to peroxide is predicted by the microbe isolation environment (Aim 3); increasing hydrogen peroxide in flowers alters microbial abundance and community assembly (Aim 4), and that the microbial community context affects microbial tolerance to peroxi

SUBMITTER: Landucci L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11982787 | biostudies-literature | 2025 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature