Variation in resource competition traits among Microcystis strains affected by their microbiomes.
Harmful algal blooms are increasingly affecting water quality, economic and recreational value of freshwater and marine systems. A key factor determining whether such blooms can arise and persist is how well the dominant species in these blooms compete with beneficial algal species. This study examines how both genotypic variation among algae and bacteria associated with these algae can change characteristics of the algal cell that determine the outcome of competition. Most notably, we showed how bacteria can improve the ability of algae to grow at low nitrogen supply levels.