Genome analysis of Pseudomonas sp. 14A reveals metabolic capabilities to support epiphytic behavior

Abstract

The surface of aboveground plant parts, known as the phyllosphere, is a habitat for various microorganisms called epiphytes establishing biotrophic interactions with their hosts. However, these communities can be affected by environmental and anthropogenic variations such as the application of agrochemicals. Thus, epiphytes have the capacity to survive in such environments. In this study, we obtained the genome of Pseudomonas sp. 14A, an epiphyte isolated from the pepper phyllosphere. The phylogenomic analyses suggested that Pseudomonas sp. 14A may be novel species closely related to P. moraviensis R28-S. Notably, the metabolic pathways proposed consistent with epiphytic lifestyle in Pseudomonas sp. 14A, were shared with other species displaying a different degree of phylogenetic relatedness. Furthermore, variations in configuration of metabolic gene clusters were observed, that could expand microbial metabolic diversity in close relatedness species, highlighting the relevance of microbial diversity associated with plants.

Keywords: Bacterial genomics; Microbial diversity; Microbial secondary metabolites; Phyllosphere; Plant-microorganism interaction.