Module 14 : Seed microbiota

Micro-organisms associated with seeds can influence seed germination processes and plant health, among other aspects. This topic has gained increasing attention both in scientific research and in organic seed propagation, in the aim of better understanding and harnessing seed and plant interactions with their microbial communities in organic seed production systems. This module is an introduction to seed microbiota, to give a general overview of how they are studied and some examples of what we know about them.

After completing this module, you will be able to

• define the term “seed microbiota” and describe underlying assemby processes
• list the main steps of a metabarcoding process used to study seed and plant microbiota
• give 2 examples of metabarcoding studies and their major conclusions

Time needed to complete the module : Completing this e-learning module will take approximately 45 minutes.

To complete this e-learning activity, you will need a good internet connection for video content, paper and a pencil for exercise 14.2 and if you like to take notes while watching the videos.

Exemple studies

To make video 14.1, I drew on two studies to provide you with concrete examples.
These two examples are based on 2 peer-reviewed publications :  

• Seed microbiota revealed by a large-scale meta-analysis including 50 plant species
• Single Seed Microbiota: Assembly and Transmission from Parent Plant to Seedling

 Please on the pictures below to download these articles.

A reference

• From seed to seed : the role of microbial inheritance in the assembly of the plant microbiome

This paper is a review on seed microbiota and how they might affect plant microbiomes, published in 2022. It is not the most recent review paper on the topic, but is often referred to. Authors are reknown experts in the field of seed micrbiota.