Microbial biodiversity is critical to tomato plant health. The symbiotic relationship between tomato plants and their soil microbiome influences the plants' ability to absorb nutrients and adapt to environmental stresses. This study compared the soil microbiome between tomato plants appearing healthy versus those appearing unhealthy. There were no significant differences in overall bacterial biodiversity between the conditions. However, a specific beneficial genus ( Sphingomonas ) and its phylum Proteobacteria (Pseudomonadota) were found at significantly higher amounts in healthy plants' soil compared to unhealthy plants' soil. Our findings show the need for further examination of the benefits of Sphingomonas for tomato plants.
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