Microbiome Fingerprint as Biomarker for Geographical Origin and Heredity in Crocus sativus: A Feasibility Study

Host–microbiome interactions are specific and not random, making them defining entities for the host. The hypothesis proposed by various researchers earlier, that both plants animals harbor inheritable core microbiome, is being augmented in present study. Additionally, a case using microbial fingerprint as biomarker, only plant identification but also geographical indicator, has been investigated, taking Crocus sativus , saffron, study material. monogenetic herb, on account of its male sterility vegetative propagation, reported to lack genome based molecular markers. Cormosphere microbiome (microbiome associated with corm) compared across three locations, two continents, identify unique during phase growth. Microbiome analysis done at phylum genus level, next generation sequencing technology, revealed cormosphere locations harbored common phyla. At 24 genera were found all indicating be part saffron. However, there some bacterial Kashmir, Kishtwar, Morocco can used develop markers/geographical indicators saffron grown these regions. This preliminary study, location community barcodes needs further augmentation high coverage data from other growing