Crop microbiome responses to pathogen colonisation regulate the host plant defence

Soil-borne pathogens severely damage the yield and quality of crops worldwide. Plant soil microbiomes (e.g. in rhizosphere) intimately interact with plant, pathogen influence outcomes disease infection. Investigation how these respond to infection is critical develop solutions control diseases. Here, we conducted a field experiment collected healthy crown rot infected (caused by Fusarium pseudograminearum, Fp) wheat plants. We investigated their different compartments, plant immune responses interactions (Fp) aiming at advancing our knowledge on microbiome-mediated regulation pathogens. found that Fp colonised plants significantly terms relative abundances, accounting for 11.3% 60.7% fungal communities rhizosphere roots, respectively. However, presented small fraction leaf microbiome, up 1.2%. Furthermore, Fp-infection led significant changes composition root while had little impact leaves. further defence signalling pathways, correlated each other structural equation modelling. As such, also identified ecological clusters explained pathways. Lastly, microbial co-occurrence network complexity was higher Fp-infected plants, suggesting may have community structure. provide novel evidence soil-borne diseases disrupt belowground influencing immunity