Deciphering the impact of domestication on the tomato root microbiome

Stalin Sarango-Flores, MSc

PhD student at:
Leiden University

Supervisors:
Prof Dr. Jos M. Raaijmakers

Overall aim:
To study the impact of the tomato domestication on the beneficial microbe-plant association.

Key Objectives & Expected Results

Objectives:

To identify the microbial community composition in the rhizosphere of tomato both in native (Ecuador) and agricultural soil (The Netherlands).

To identify the genetic features between wild and modern tomato genotypes and their associated microbiome.

To determine the effect of root microbiome on tomato under biotic and abiotic stresses.

Expected Results:

Characterization of the wild tomato microbiome in native habitats and the “missing” microbes detected by comparison between native and modern soil.

Plant features related to microbial association identified by QTL analysis.

The native microbiome protects plants against biotic and abiotic stresses.