Collimonas sp. H4R21 Genome sequencing
In temperate regions, forests are mostly developed on acidic, rocky and nutrient-poor soils. As a consequence the access and the recycling of nutrients are key processes for the long-lasting functioning of these ecosystems. Beside the nutrients coming from atmospheric deposits and organic matter decomposition, the main sources of nutrients are the minerals and rocks present in the soil. In this context, understanding how mineral weathering bacteria are structured and which are geochemical and molecular mechanisms driving this function is essential. In the frame of a long term project, we highlighted the increase of effectiveness and of the frequency of mineral weathering bacteria in the rhizosphere of trees growing in nutrient poor soils as compared to nutrient rich soils. Among them particular taxa (e.g., Collimonas, Caballeronia) appeared particularly effective, justifying to develop an in depth analysis of their physiological and genomic properties. A deeper analysis should permit to better understand the relation between bacteria and minerals in soil and to develop bioindicators of the level of fertility of the soils to determine the ability of these soils to sustains the growing trees.