From microbiome diversity to endophyte ecology in the wild grass Agrostis capillaris

The plant microbiome has been of particular interest in recent decades, as it plays a crucial role in the survival of its host. The large diversity of microorganisms that compose the plant microbiome, as well as the numerous factors that influence them, makes it difficult to understand the mechanisms that shape plant-microbe interactions. In this thesis, we aimed to describe the microbial communities associated with the wild grass species Agrostis capillaris, and the interactions between the plant host and its endophytes. Chapter I characterizes the composition and diversity of the fungal and bacterial communities associated with A. capillaris and describes their dynamics in relation to plant organs, vegetation management strategies and time. In Chapter II, we isolated microorganisms associated with the leaves, establishing two culture collections. These collections led to the discovery of a species that we characterized in Chapter III by sequencing its genome and detailing its interaction with A. capillaris. Our work established A. capillaris as a new model organism for studying plant-microbiome interactions in natural ecosystems. This thesis is of interest to ecologists seeking to understand the dynamics of the plant microbiome in the wild, as well as to the phytopathologists working with the Zymoseptoria genus.

Level thesis:degree_level

thesis.doctoral

Grantor dc:publisher

Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel

Year

2026

Author dc:creator

• Tanneau, Eva

Contributors dc:contributor

• Holtgrewe Stukenbrock, Eva
• Dagan, Tal

• plant microbiome
• wild grass
• fungal endophyte

Repository record source_url

https://macau.uni-kiel.de/receive/macau_mods_00008702

OAI record oai:identifier

https://macau.uni-kiel.de/servlets/OAIDataProvider?verb=GetRecord&metadataPrefix=xMetaDissPlus&identifier=oai%3Amacau.uni-kiel.de%3Amacau_mods_00008702