title: Probe-targeted sequencing of CH4- and N-cycling microbes within pine saplings
design: Pine sapling samples (stem, needles and buds separately) were collected from a yard experiment setting (Helsinki, Finland) aiming to reveal diurnal variation in pine-related methane-emissions. To evaluate potential within-plant methane production and oxidation, plant-associated methanogens and methanotrophs were analyzed via probe-targeted metagenomics. Probes were designed to target functional genes mcrA, coding for the methyl coenzyme-M reductase (methanogens); pmoA, coding for the particulate methane monooxygenase (methanotrophs); and mmoX, coding for the soluble methane monooxygenase (methanotrophs).