The metabolic and anatomical complexity of root microhabitats modulate their interaction with the microbiota.

Abstract

Plant roots constantly communicate with their microbiota, adapting their anatomy to facilitate microbial colonisation under abiotic stresses. Microbes, in turn, can reshape root anatomy once they establish. However, the mechanisms that coordinate this interplay remain largely unknown. Working with the aquatic plant family Lemnaceae, we reveal that the inherent complexity of root anatomy determines root plasticity in response to microbial colonisation. This microbiota-driven anatomical plasticity enhances plant survival in nutrient-competitive environments. By combining synthetic root models with real roots, we also find that anatomical plasticity is associated with metabolic reprogramming during microbial establishment. Moreover, we identify a plant metabolite, N⁶,N⁶,N⁶-Trimethyl-L-lysine, that regulates anatomical plasticity in response to microbial colonisation. Our work generalizes the importance of microhabitat complexity for microbiome recruitment under challenging environmental conditions.