# Genomic insights into adaptative traits of phyllosphere yeasts

## TL;DR

This study explores the genomic traits of yeasts living on plant leaves, revealing adaptations that help them survive in this environment.

## Contribution

The study provides new insights into the genomic signatures and adaptive traits of phyllosphere yeasts through a diverse culture collection and comparative genomics.

## Key findings

- Phyllosphere yeasts show enriched carbohydrate metabolism and pectin degradation capabilities.
- Smaller genomes in Candida and Metschnikowia suggest niche specialization for nutrient-limited environments.
- The study highlights the functional potential of these yeasts for sustainable agriculture.

## Abstract

Yeasts are ubiquitous microorganisms thriving in diverse environments. They are prevalent members of the phyllosphere microbiome, but genomic studies of plant-associated yeasts remain limited.

We established a taxonomically diverse yeast culture collection from flag leaves of field-grown wheat. This collection captured between 48-56% of the genus-level diversity detected by ITS amplicon sequencing conducted over two consecutive years, including the core members Aureobasidium, Dioszegia, Filobasidium, Papiliotrema, Sporobolomyces, and Vishniacozyma. De novo sequencing of 96 high-quality genomes from this collection, representing 14 yeast genera, and comparative genomics revealed specific signatures associated with life in the phyllosphere, the aboveground part of the plant. These adaptive traits encompass enriched carbohydrate metabolism, secondary metabolite biosynthetic pathways, and pectin degradation. The substantially smaller genomes of the phyllosphere yeast genera Candida and Metschnikowia suggest niche specialization via prioritizing metabolic pathways that are essential for survival in the nutrient-limited phyllosphere.

This study represents a significant advancement in our understanding of the diverse and largely unknown genomic traits of environmental yeasts and their adaptation to life in the phyllosphere environment. Our findings highlight their untapped functional potential for biotechnological applications in sustainable crop production.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40793-025-00839-7.