Exploring the impact of altitude variability and apple genotype on the epiphytic microbiome

Studying fruit microbial communities has been instrumental in understanding how this plant-associated microbiome influences key host functionalities. However, the impact of environmental changes and host genotype on this microbiome is unclear. This research aims to analyse, using 16S rRNA and ITS am...

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Main Authors: Ana María Sánchez, Jonàs Oliva, Ahmed Abdelfattah, Rosario Torres, Laura Vilanova, Neus Teixidó
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2025-12-01
Series:International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability
Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/14735903.2025.2480955
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author Ana María Sánchez
Jonàs Oliva
Ahmed Abdelfattah
Rosario Torres
Laura Vilanova
Neus Teixidó
author_facet Ana María Sánchez
Jonàs Oliva
Ahmed Abdelfattah
Rosario Torres
Laura Vilanova
Neus Teixidó
author_sort Ana María Sánchez
collection DOAJ
description Studying fruit microbial communities has been instrumental in understanding how this plant-associated microbiome influences key host functionalities. However, the impact of environmental changes and host genotype on this microbiome is unclear. This research aims to analyse, using 16S rRNA and ITS amplicon sequencing, the potential effect of altitudinal conditions and genotype on the epiphytic apple microbiome. Looking for key microbial genera with potential as biocontrol or pathogenic agents and characterizing each cultivar's core microbiome. The results revealed that the microbial communities on the apple peel comprise 64 bacterial and 49 fungal genera. Fungal diversity was affected by altitude, while bacterial assemblies varied across cultivars. Within these communities, some microorganisms with potential beneficial activity were detected in the valley which showed higher abundance than mountain orchards, suggesting a localized influence of environmental conditions. The core microbiome of each cultivar revealed significant genotype-dependent microbial associations and included several beneficial microbial taxa such as Aureobasidium and Vishniacozyma. These insights further our understanding of the interactions between plant genotypes, geographical location, and fruit epiphytic communities, revealing in the process possible biocontrol candidates. This information plays an important role in the pursuit of new modern agricultural methodologies that could minimise the reliance on chemical pesticides.
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issn 1473-5903
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publishDate 2025-12-01
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series International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability
spelling doaj-art-1b791ce5a66c4e169d8eb74c2af8ffbc2025-08-20T03:42:35ZengTaylor & Francis GroupInternational Journal of Agricultural Sustainability1473-59031747-762X2025-12-0123110.1080/14735903.2025.2480955Exploring the impact of altitude variability and apple genotype on the epiphytic microbiomeAna María Sánchez0Jonàs Oliva1Ahmed Abdelfattah2Rosario Torres3Laura Vilanova4Neus Teixidó5IRTA, Postharvest, Fruitcentre, Catalonia, SpainDepartment of Crop and Forest Sciences, University of Lleida, Catalonia, SpainLeibniz-Institute for Agricultural Engineering Potsdam, Potsdam, GermanyIRTA, Postharvest, Fruitcentre, Catalonia, SpainIRTA, Postharvest, Fruitcentre, Catalonia, SpainIRTA, Postharvest, Fruitcentre, Catalonia, SpainStudying fruit microbial communities has been instrumental in understanding how this plant-associated microbiome influences key host functionalities. However, the impact of environmental changes and host genotype on this microbiome is unclear. This research aims to analyse, using 16S rRNA and ITS amplicon sequencing, the potential effect of altitudinal conditions and genotype on the epiphytic apple microbiome. Looking for key microbial genera with potential as biocontrol or pathogenic agents and characterizing each cultivar's core microbiome. The results revealed that the microbial communities on the apple peel comprise 64 bacterial and 49 fungal genera. Fungal diversity was affected by altitude, while bacterial assemblies varied across cultivars. Within these communities, some microorganisms with potential beneficial activity were detected in the valley which showed higher abundance than mountain orchards, suggesting a localized influence of environmental conditions. The core microbiome of each cultivar revealed significant genotype-dependent microbial associations and included several beneficial microbial taxa such as Aureobasidium and Vishniacozyma. These insights further our understanding of the interactions between plant genotypes, geographical location, and fruit epiphytic communities, revealing in the process possible biocontrol candidates. This information plays an important role in the pursuit of new modern agricultural methodologies that could minimise the reliance on chemical pesticides.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/14735903.2025.2480955
spellingShingle Ana María Sánchez
Jonàs Oliva
Ahmed Abdelfattah
Rosario Torres
Laura Vilanova
Neus Teixidó
Exploring the impact of altitude variability and apple genotype on the epiphytic microbiome
International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability
title Exploring the impact of altitude variability and apple genotype on the epiphytic microbiome
title_full Exploring the impact of altitude variability and apple genotype on the epiphytic microbiome
title_fullStr Exploring the impact of altitude variability and apple genotype on the epiphytic microbiome
title_full_unstemmed Exploring the impact of altitude variability and apple genotype on the epiphytic microbiome
title_short Exploring the impact of altitude variability and apple genotype on the epiphytic microbiome
title_sort exploring the impact of altitude variability and apple genotype on the epiphytic microbiome
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/14735903.2025.2480955
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