The seagrass root microbiome under nutrient and sulfide gradients: an integrated 16S and metagenomic study
This project explores how seagrass-associated microbial communities and their functions respond to gradients of nutrient and sulfide level. We collected seagrass (Thalassia hemprichii) roots (to study endophytic bacteria) and the surrounding rhizosphere sediment (to study the broader microbial community) from four seagrass beds, each with different levels of nutrients and sulfides. The root samples were used for 16S rRNA gene sequencing to identify the bacterial endophytes. The rhizosphere sediment samples were used for shotgun metagenomic sequencing to analyze microbial functions and reconstruct genomes. This dataset links the seagrass root microbiome to the host's ability to cope with environmental stress.