Microbiomes of Velloziaceae from phosphorus-impoverished soils of the campos rupestres , a biodiversity hotspot

The rocky, seasonally-dry and nutrient-impoverished soils of the Brazilian campos rupestres impose severe growth-limiting conditions on plants. Species of a dominant plant family, Velloziaceae, are highly specialized to low-nutrient conditions and seasonal water availability of this environment, where phosphorus (P) is the key limiting nutrient. Despite plant-microbe associations playing critical roles in stressful ecosystems, the contribution of these interactions in the campos rupestres remains poorly studied. Here we present the first microbiomedata of Velloziaceaespp. thriving in contrasting substrates of campos rupestres. We assessed the microbiomesof Vellozia epidendroides, which occupies shallow patches of soil, and Barbaceniamacrantha, growing on exposed rocks. The prokaryotic and fungal profiles were assessed by rRNA barcode sequencing of epiphyticand endophytic compartments of roots, stems, leaves and surrounding soil/rocks. We also generated root and substrate (rock/soil)-associated metagenomesof each plant species. We foresee that these data will contribute to decipher how the microbiomecontributes to plant functioning in the campos rupestres, and to unravel new strategies for improved crop productivity in stressful environments.