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Poster

Session: Session 2 Presenting Authors at Posters (Odds)

P-381 - Synthetic Seed Endophyte Community Enhances Tomato Resistance to Fusarium Wilt with Ecological Niche Insights

Wednesday, July 16, 2025
13:30 - 15:15  
Location: Confex Hall 3
Plant microbiota functions and intermicrobial interactions

    Presenting Author(s)

  • KC

    Kihyuck Choi

    Dong-A University
    Busan, Pusan-jikhalsi, Republic of Korea

    • Author(s)

  • SY

    Seongeun Yang

    Dong-A University
    Busan, Pusan-jikhalsi, Republic of Korea

  • MR

    Mehwish Roy

    Dong-A University
    Busan, Pusan-jikhalsi, Republic of Korea

  • HC

    Heeyun Choi

    Dong-A University
    Busan, Pusan-jikhalsi, Republic of Korea

  • DL

    Dongmin Lee

    Dong-A University
    Busan, Pusan-jikhalsi, Republic of Korea

Seed-associated endophytic bacteria significantly influence seedling germination and early growth, yet seed-borne bacterial communities remain poorly understood. Here, we combined computational and experimental methods to investigate their role in tomato resistance to Fusarium wilt. Computational analyses identified the significant operational taxonomic units (OTUs) differentiating resistant (Hawaii 7996) from susceptible (Moneymaker) cultivars. Guided by these findings, bacterial endophytes isolated from surface-sterilized Hawaii 7996 seeds were screened for antifungal and growth-promoting properties. A synthetic microbial community (SynCom) was constructed using selected isolates, including two closely matching computationally identified keystone taxa. Commercial tomato seeds inoculated with the SynCom were assessed under controlled, gnotobiotic conditions using 16S rRNA sequencing to confirm ecological niches across plant tissues. SynCom-treated plants exhibited improved growth and enhanced resistance to Fusarium oxysporum. Our study highlights synthetic seed endophyte communities as promising tools for sustainably improving plant health and managing agricultural pathogens.