Exploring the Role of Vertical and Horizontal Pathways in the Formation of Lettuce Plant Endospheric Bacterial Communities: A Comparative Study of Hydroponic and Soil Systems

Plant-associated microbiomes play a critical role in plant health, nutrition, growth, and adaptation. This study aimed to investigate the formation pathways of the endospheric microbiome in lettuce (<i>Lactuca sativa</i>) through vertical (seed) and horizontal (substrate) transmission in...

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Main Authors: Polina Kuryntseva, Nataliya Pronovich, Gulnaz Galieva, Polina Galitskaya, Svetlana Selivanovskaya
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-07-01
Series:Horticulturae
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2311-7524/11/7/762
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author Polina Kuryntseva
Nataliya Pronovich
Gulnaz Galieva
Polina Galitskaya
Svetlana Selivanovskaya
author_facet Polina Kuryntseva
Nataliya Pronovich
Gulnaz Galieva
Polina Galitskaya
Svetlana Selivanovskaya
author_sort Polina Kuryntseva
collection DOAJ
description Plant-associated microbiomes play a critical role in plant health, nutrition, growth, and adaptation. This study aimed to investigate the formation pathways of the endospheric microbiome in lettuce (<i>Lactuca sativa</i>) through vertical (seed) and horizontal (substrate) transmission in hydroponic and soil environments. The bacterial microbiomes from the seeds, roots, leaves, and substrates were analyzed via 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The seed microbiome contained 236 OTUs dominated by Verrucomicrobia (31%) and Firmicutes (29%). Rhizospheric soil contained 1594 OTUs, while the hydroponic solution had 448 OTUs. The root endosphere from soil-grown lettuce contained 295 OTUs, compared with 177 in hydroponic conditions, and the leaf microbiome contained 43 OTUs in soil and 115 OTUs in hydroponics. In total, 30–51% of the leaf and root microbiomes originated from the seed microbiota, while 53–65% of the root microbiome originated from the substrate. Microbiome overlap was observed between the rhizospheric soil and the root microbiome. This study provides new insights into the microbiome of lettuce seeds and the pathways of formation of the endospheric microbiome in adult plants. These findings lay the groundwork for future research aimed at better understanding microbiome dynamics in leafy crops and plant protection.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2311-7524
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publishDate 2025-07-01
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spelling doaj-art-3dedc4d0305a4a80830081a19df5aa3b2025-08-20T03:36:14ZengMDPI AGHorticulturae2311-75242025-07-0111776210.3390/horticulturae11070762Exploring the Role of Vertical and Horizontal Pathways in the Formation of Lettuce Plant Endospheric Bacterial Communities: A Comparative Study of Hydroponic and Soil SystemsPolina Kuryntseva0Nataliya Pronovich1Gulnaz Galieva2Polina Galitskaya3Svetlana Selivanovskaya4Institute of Ecology, Biotechnology and Nature Management, Kazan (Volga Region) Federal University, Kazan 420008, RussiaInstitute of Ecology, Biotechnology and Nature Management, Kazan (Volga Region) Federal University, Kazan 420008, RussiaInstitute of Ecology, Biotechnology and Nature Management, Kazan (Volga Region) Federal University, Kazan 420008, RussiaInstitute of Ecology, Biotechnology and Nature Management, Kazan (Volga Region) Federal University, Kazan 420008, RussiaInstitute of Ecology, Biotechnology and Nature Management, Kazan (Volga Region) Federal University, Kazan 420008, RussiaPlant-associated microbiomes play a critical role in plant health, nutrition, growth, and adaptation. This study aimed to investigate the formation pathways of the endospheric microbiome in lettuce (<i>Lactuca sativa</i>) through vertical (seed) and horizontal (substrate) transmission in hydroponic and soil environments. The bacterial microbiomes from the seeds, roots, leaves, and substrates were analyzed via 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The seed microbiome contained 236 OTUs dominated by Verrucomicrobia (31%) and Firmicutes (29%). Rhizospheric soil contained 1594 OTUs, while the hydroponic solution had 448 OTUs. The root endosphere from soil-grown lettuce contained 295 OTUs, compared with 177 in hydroponic conditions, and the leaf microbiome contained 43 OTUs in soil and 115 OTUs in hydroponics. In total, 30–51% of the leaf and root microbiomes originated from the seed microbiota, while 53–65% of the root microbiome originated from the substrate. Microbiome overlap was observed between the rhizospheric soil and the root microbiome. This study provides new insights into the microbiome of lettuce seeds and the pathways of formation of the endospheric microbiome in adult plants. These findings lay the groundwork for future research aimed at better understanding microbiome dynamics in leafy crops and plant protection.https://www.mdpi.com/2311-7524/11/7/762lettuce seedendospheric bacterial microbiometransmission of microbiomeplant-associated bacterial communities
spellingShingle Polina Kuryntseva
Nataliya Pronovich
Gulnaz Galieva
Polina Galitskaya
Svetlana Selivanovskaya
Exploring the Role of Vertical and Horizontal Pathways in the Formation of Lettuce Plant Endospheric Bacterial Communities: A Comparative Study of Hydroponic and Soil Systems
Horticulturae
lettuce seed
endospheric bacterial microbiome
transmission of microbiome
plant-associated bacterial communities
title Exploring the Role of Vertical and Horizontal Pathways in the Formation of Lettuce Plant Endospheric Bacterial Communities: A Comparative Study of Hydroponic and Soil Systems
title_full Exploring the Role of Vertical and Horizontal Pathways in the Formation of Lettuce Plant Endospheric Bacterial Communities: A Comparative Study of Hydroponic and Soil Systems
title_fullStr Exploring the Role of Vertical and Horizontal Pathways in the Formation of Lettuce Plant Endospheric Bacterial Communities: A Comparative Study of Hydroponic and Soil Systems
title_full_unstemmed Exploring the Role of Vertical and Horizontal Pathways in the Formation of Lettuce Plant Endospheric Bacterial Communities: A Comparative Study of Hydroponic and Soil Systems
title_short Exploring the Role of Vertical and Horizontal Pathways in the Formation of Lettuce Plant Endospheric Bacterial Communities: A Comparative Study of Hydroponic and Soil Systems
title_sort exploring the role of vertical and horizontal pathways in the formation of lettuce plant endospheric bacterial communities a comparative study of hydroponic and soil systems
topic lettuce seed
endospheric bacterial microbiome
transmission of microbiome
plant-associated bacterial communities
url https://www.mdpi.com/2311-7524/11/7/762
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