The moss microbiome: new insights into the microbial world of plants and its biotechnological potential

Mosses have a key position in the evolution of green plants and are used as model organisms to understand plant development and genetics as well as the plant microbiome. Here we summarize the knowledge about the moss microbiome with special focus on the genus Sphagnum. Sphagnum mosses harbor a highly diverse microbiome with essential functions for the host including nutrient supply, growth promotion and stress protection. Moreover, moss-associated bacteria fulfill important functions for the whole (bog) ecosystem: they are able to oxidize methane and form a cooling net on the bog surface. All the unique properties of the moss microbiome are an immense treasure box for biotechnology.