Genetic Basis and Adaptive Trajectory of Host–Microbiome Association in Maize

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The host-associated microbiome is of overwhelming importance for the health and fitness of plants. Plant microbiome interaction-based innovations offer a new strategy for sustainable agriculture. Beneficial associations between the soil microbiome and the plant root system results in the recruitments and activation of microorganisms with broad benefits for enhancing crop productivity and ecosystem functioning. The overall goal of the proposed project is to obtain a mechanistic understanding of the co-adaptation of the host root and the rhizosphere microbiome as well as the genetic basis of beneficial root–microbe associations that contribute to improved maize performance. We will explore the co-adaptive advantage of host association with the rhizosphere microbiome and identify how distinct environmental factors drove the assemblage and differentiation of the rhizosphere microbiome during maize domestication (work package 1). Second, we aim to elucidate the genetic basis of causal relationships between the rhizosphere microbiome, host genetic variation, and host gene regulation influencing favorable root-associated traits and maize performance (work package 2). To the end of the project, we will functionally validate representative key genes and keystone microbes via reverse genetics and synthetic communities. These results will pave the way for improved crop breeding and the application of microbial resources to secure future food production and efficient resource usage in agriculture.