Enriched root bacterial microbiome in invaded vs native ranges of the model grass allotetraploid Brachypodium hybridum

Abstract Invasive species can shift the composition of key soil microbial groups, thus creating novel communities. To better understand biological drivers invasion, we studied plant-microbial interactions in Brachypodium distachyon complex, a model system for functional genomic studies temperate grasses and bioenergy crops. While hybridum invasion California is an incipient stage, threatening natural agricultural systems, its diploid progenitor B. not invasive California. We investigated root, soil, rhizosphere bacterial both native invaded range, range. used high-throughput, amplicon sequencing to evaluate if bacteria associated with these plants differ, whether biotic controls may be driving invasion. Bacterial community differed based on provenance (native or range) rhizosphere, bulk soils, as did abundance dominant taxa. Bacteroidetes, Cyanobacteria Bacillus spp. (species) were significantly more abundant roots from whereas Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Erwinia Pseudomonas range roots. forms diverse suite microbes which exert similar influence within ostensibly contributing hybridum’s invasiveness. These plant microbiomes could inform future management approaches understanding, predicting, preventing invasions.