Germination onset is the first stage in the phenological plant cycle, influenced by abiotic and biotic factors. Both soil and seed microbiota are key drivers of germination, influencing seed storage, dormancy release, and germination rates. Interactions between plants and soil microbes contribute to plant adaptation to their environment. Therefore, plants could benefit more from interacting with soil microbes from the local (‘home’) environment than with those from other origins. As crucial germination drivers, plants may select for specific microbial taxa that provide them with a home-field advantage, regardless of microbial richness and diversity in their surroundings. Here, we looked at the role of seed-associated microorganisms on holm oak (Quercus ilex) germination, whether seed or soil microbes have a greater impact on this process, and how the interaction between seed and soil microbiotas influence holm oak germination. We found that microbes on Q. ilex seeds have a significant effect on germination, with non-sterilised seeds having higher germinated acorns than sterilised ones. Moreover, when co-occurring, soil microorganisms enhance the effect of seed-associated microbes on holm oak germination. Overall, our results evidence a home-field advantage where local soil communities, along with seed-associated microorganisms, enhance Q. ilex germination over that of different soil or plant species, evidencing the importance of local adaptation for plant fitness.

中文翻译：

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种子发芽的微生物控制


发芽开始是植物物候周期的第一阶段，受非生物和生物因素的影响。土壤和种子微生物群都是发芽的关键驱动因素，影响种子储存、休眠释放和发芽率。植物和土壤微生物之间的相互作用有助于植物适应环境。因此，与来自其他来源的土壤微生物相比，植物从与来自当地（“家庭”）环境的土壤微生物的相互作用中受益更多。作为关键的发芽驱动因素，植物可能会选择特定的微生物类群，为它们提供家庭优势，而不管周围微生物的丰富度和多样性如何。在这里，我们研究了种子相关微生物对圣栎 （Quercus ilex） 发芽的作用，种子或土壤微生物是否对这一过程有更大的影响，以及种子和土壤微生物群之间的相互作用如何影响圣栎的发芽。我们发现 Q. ilex 种子上的微生物对发芽有显着影响，未消毒的种子比消毒的种子具有更高的发芽橡子。此外，当共存时，土壤微生物会增强种子相关微生物对圣栎发芽的影响。总体而言，我们的结果证明了本地土壤群落以及种子相关微生物比不同土壤或植物物种更能增强 Q. ilex 发芽，证明了本地适应对植物适应性的重要性。