Functional dynamics reveal the response of the crabapple (<i>Malus</i> sp.) phyllosphere microbiome to <i>Gymnosporangium yamadae</i> infection.

ABSTRACT: The phyllosphere microbiome plays a vital role in plant defense against airborne pathogens. In this study, we investigated microbial dynamics of crabapple (Malus 'Kelsey') phyllosphere across six stages of Gymnosporangium yamadae infection using metatranscriptomic sequencing. Infected leaves exhibited increased transcriptional alpha diversity of fungi, bacteria, and viruses, with a notable negative correlation between fungal and bacterial diversity. Microbial taxa in diseased leaves exhibited heightened transcriptional activity compared with healthy counterparts, with fungi progressively dominating the microbial community. Functional co-occurrence networks revealed increased complexity in infected leaves, suggesting a potential reorganization of the microbial interactions in

SUBMITTER: Xu Q 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12542627 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature