Maternal effects shape the seed mycobiome in <i>Quercus petraea</i>

The tree seed mycobiome has received little attention despite its potential role in forest regeneration and health. aim of the present study was to analyze processes shaping composition fungal communities natural forests as seeds transition from mother plant ground for establishment. We used metabarcoding approaches confocal microscopy collected canopy on four populations sessile oak (Quercus petraea). Ecological were inferred using joint species distribution models. Fungi internal tissues, including embryo. differed among trees within same population. Its largely influenced by mother, with weak significant environmental influences. models also revealed several probable interactions pathogens mycoparasites. Our results demonstrate that maternal effects, filtering biotic all shape oak. They provide a starting point future research aimed at understanding how genes environments interact control vertical transmission could then influence dispersal germination, seedling recruitment.