T6SS-mediated competition by <i>Stenotrophomonas rhizophila</i> shapes seed-borne bacterial communities and seed-to-seedling transmission dynamics.

ABSTRACT: Seeds harbor diverse microbial communities important for plant growth and health. During germination, seed exudation triggers intense microbial competition, shaping the communities transmitted to seedlings. This study explores the role of the bacterial type VI secretion system (T6SS)-mediated interference competition in seed microbiota transmission to seedlings. The analysis of T6SS distribution within 180 genome sequences of seed-borne bacterial strains enabled the construction of synthetic communities (SynCom) with different levels of phylogenetic diversity and T6SS richness. These SynComs were inoculated with Stenotrophomonas rhizophila CFBP13503, a bacterial strain possessing an active T6SS in vitro and in planta. The impact of the T6SS on SynCom composition was as

SUBMITTER: Garin T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12363174 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature