Adaxial-abaxial leaf surface asymmetry is a key ecological driver of the phyllosphere microbiome.

Adaxial-abaxial leaf surface asymmetry consistently shapes distinct microbial communities with different interaction and functional profiles across seven tree species.

• Why it matters: Understanding how leaf surface heterogeneity influences microbial assembly is crucial for grasping plant-microbe interactions that affect plant health and ecosystem functions.
• What they did: The study analyzed bacterial and fungal communities separately on the upper and lower leaf surfaces over six months, using community composition, co-occurrence networks, and functional predictions.
• The result: Distinct microbial communities with different interaction structures and metabolic functions were identified on each surface, emphasizing the importance of leaf surface asymmetry in microbiome ecology.