New study reveals microbes change behavior dramatically on corn roots
A new study from North Carolina State University highlights why scientists need to study microbes in their natural environments rather than relying only on laboratory experiments.
Researchers examined seven bacteria commonly found on corn roots and compared their behavior in laboratory conditions with their behavior on actual corn plants. The results showed major differences between the two environments.
According to the study, microbes changed thousands of proteins when growing corn roots. These changes affected how they moved, interacted with plants, and carried out important functions.
“Historically we’ve been reliant on in-vitro experiments and experiments in the lab, and they’re still very powerful,” said Anna Garrell, first author of a paper on the work and a postdoctoral researcher at North Carolina State University. “But I think this is a good reminder that what you find in the lab is not necessarily what’s going to be happening in the real environment.”
Some bacteria became more active and mobile when they reached plant roots, helping them move through their environment. Others became more stationary by attaching themselves to the roots. Researchers found that each bacterial species responded differently to the plant.
The microbes also activated a variety of functions while living on the roots. These included releasing compounds, breaking down nutrients, improving phosphate availability, and consuming different plant sugars. Scientists said the scale of these changes was much larger than expected.
“Comparing the microbe growing on the plant to outside of the plant, the most mind-blowing thing was that these microbes completely changed their programming,” said principal investigator Manuel Kleiner, an associate professor of plant and microbial biology at NC State. “It’s not just ten or so genes, it’s thousands that completely shift as soon as they start interacting with the plant.”
The research was conducted using a defined community of seven bacterial species known to consistently colonize corn roots. Because their genomes are well understood, researchers were able to closely compare how they behaved in both environments.
The findings suggest that laboratory studies alone may not fully reflect how microbes function in real agricultural settings. Understanding these natural interactions could help researchers develop more effective biological products for crop production.
Scientists believe future work will focus on how multiple microbes interact with one another on plant roots and how these relationships influence plant growth and health.
The study, published in mSystems, provides valuable information for advancing sustainable agriculture and improving the development of microbial products that support crop productivity.
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