Glutamic Acid Reshapes The Phytobiome To Protect Plants Against Pathogens

Abstract Background: The physiology and growth of plants are strongly influenced by their associated microbiomes. Conversely, the composition of the phytobiome is flexible, responding to the state of the host and raising the possibility that it can be engineered to benefit the plant. However, technology for engineering the structure of the microbiome is not yet available. Results: Here we show that glutamic acid reshapes the plant microbial community and enriches populations of Streptomyces , a functional core microbe, both above and below ground, in strawberry and tomato. Upon application of glutamic acid, the population size of Streptomyces increased dramatically in the anthosphere and the rhizosphere. At the same time, diseases caused by species of Fusarium were significantly reduced in both habitats. Plant resistance-related genes were not activated, suggesting that glutamic acid modulates the microbiome community directly, rather than activating the host’s own protective mechanisms. Conclusions: Much is known about the structure of plant-associated microbial communities, but little has been learned about how the community composition and complexity are controlled. Our results demonstrate that the microbiome community can be engineered and unlock the mode of action of glutamic acid.