Altered bacteria community dominance reduces tolerance to resident fungus and seed to seedling growth performance in maize (Zea mays L. var. DKB 177)

•Seed-borne bacteria is an essential source of the plant microbiome.•Maize seed germination modulates ecological succession for seed-borne microbiota.•Seed-bacteriome modulates the abundance of taxa in germinated maize seeds.•Seed-borne bacteria influence the germination and growth of maize.•Seed microbiome acts as a “bacterial barrier” against phytopathogens.•Maize seed-bacteria community var DKB177 protect against Penicillium sp. Seed-borne fungus.