Enrichment of root-associated Streptomyces strains in response to drought is driven by diverse functional traits and does not predict beneficial effects on plant growth.

ABSTRACT: The genus Streptomyces has consistently been found enriched in drought-stressed plant root microbiomes, yet the ecological basis and functional variation underlying this enrichment at the strain and isolate level remain unclear. Using two 16S rRNA sequencing methods with different levels of taxonomic resolution, we confirmed drought-associated enrichment (DE) of Streptomyces in field-grown sorghum roots and identified five closely related but distinct amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) belonging to the genus with variable drought enrichment patterns. From a culture collection of sorghum root endophytes, we selected 12 Streptomyces isolates representing these ASVs for phenotypic and genomic characterization. Whole-genome sequencing revealed substantial variation in gene content, even among c

SUBMITTER: Fonseca-Garcia C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12698021 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature