Exploring the Bacterial Microbiome of 'Honeycrisp' Apples in Maritime Canada
In an effort to determine how abiotic factors influence bacterial microbiome communities of 'Honeycrisp' apple fruit, we collected fruit from 7 orchards in Maritime Canada. We explored factors that include: tissue-type (calyx/stem end vs peel), management strategy (organic vs conventional), geographical location (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and PEI) and differing environmental conditions between growing season (2019, 2020). Understanding how external factors influence the microbial communities of fruit will be a key requirement for the goal of harnessing the microbiome to prevent disease.