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Isolation of bacterial endophytes from germinated maize kernels
Tomaz Rijavec1, Ales Lapanje, Marina Dermastia
1Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Vecna pot 111, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Canadian Journal of Microbiology
|August 2, 2007
Summary
Researchers isolated beneficial bacteria, including Pantoea sp., from maize kernels. One Pantoea strain inhibited fungal growth, suggesting a role in protecting maize plants from fungal pathogens.
Area of Science:
- Agricultural Microbiology
- Plant Pathology
- Bacteriology
Background:
- Maize kernels harbor diverse microbial communities.
- Understanding kernel-associated bacteria is crucial for plant health and yield.
- Aseptic isolation techniques are vital for studying endophytic microbes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To isolate and identify bacterial endophytes associated with maize kernels.
- To investigate potential interactions between bacterial endophytes and fungal pathogens.
- To explore the role of specific bacterial genera in plant defense.
Main Methods:
- Surface sterilization of maize kernels followed by germination under aseptic conditions.
- Isolation and cultivation of bacterial endophytes.
- Identification of bacterial isolates using partial 16S rRNA gene sequencing.
- In vitro assays to assess bacterial inhibition of fungal growth.
Main Results:
- Several bacterial genera, including Pantoea sp., Microbacterium sp., and Bacillus sp., were successfully isolated from maize kernels of four different cultivars.
- The bacterial genus Pantoea was specifically associated with one maize cultivar.
- Maize kernels colonized by Pantoea sp. showed no colonization by the fungus Lecanicillium aphanocladii.
- In vitro experiments demonstrated that the isolated Pantoea strain inhibited the growth of L. aphanocladii.
Conclusions:
- Aseptic germination is an effective method for isolating maize kernel-associated bacterial endophytes.
- Pantoea sp. may play a protective role against fungal infections in specific maize cultivars.
- Bacterial endophytes possess the potential to control plant fungal diseases.
