Ubiquitous presence of fastidious endophytic bacteria in field shoots and index-negative apparently clean shoot-tip cultures of papaya

This study establishes the widespread prevalence of fastidious or viable but non-culturable endophytic bacteria in field shoots and in unsuspicious shoot-tip cultures of papaya (Carica papaya L.) against the norm of asepsis in vitro. A total of 150 shoot-tips (approximately 10 mm) were inoculated on MS-based culture medium after surface sterilization of field-derived axillary shoots of cv. Surya during November or January (100 and 50, respectively) when 35–50% cultures showed endophytic microbial growth on culture medium. Indexing of apparently clean cultures using bacteriological media helped in detecting and removing additional 14–17% stocks with covert bacteria during the first two passages. The rest of the stocks stayed consistently index-negative during the first eight subculture cycles, but appeared positive in PCR-screening undertaken thereafter employing universal bacterial 16S rRNA gene primers indicating the association of non-cultivable bacteria. Direct sequencing of the PCR product yielded overlapping nucleotide data signifying mixed template or the presence of diverse endophytic microorganisms. This was confirmed by light microscopy of tissue sap revealing viable bacteria in considerable numbers, which were detected under phase contrast or with negative staining. Planting tissue segments or applying homogenate from these stocks on diverse bacteriological media did not induce the organisms to grow in vitro. The shoot cultures displayed variation in growth and rooting potential, the onus of such variation was solely attributable to the associated microorganisms. The findings were confirmed with additional field shoots and fresh in vitro stocks established subsequently. The observations have implications in micropropagation and all other applications involving plant cell, tissue, organ, and protoplast culture.     

Isolation and characterization of endophytic colonizing bacteria from agronomic crops and prairie plants

Endophytic bacteria reside within plant hosts without causing disease symptoms. In this study, 853 endophytic strains were isolated from aerial tissues of four agronomic crop species and 27 prairie plant species. We determined several phenotypic properties and found approximately equal numbers of gram-negative and gram-positive isolates. In a greenhouse study, 28 of 86 prairie plant endophytes were found to colonize their original hosts at 42 days postinoculation at levels of 3.5 to 7.7 log(10) CFU/g (fresh weight). More comprehensive colonization studies were conducted with 373 corn and sorghum endophytes. In growth room studies, none of the isolates displayed pathogenicity, and 69 of the strains were recovered from corn or sorghum seedlings at levels of 8.3 log(10) CFU/plant or higher. Host range greenhouse studies demonstrated that 26 of 29 endophytes were recoverable from at least one host other than corn and sorghum at levels of up to 5.8 log(10) CFU/g (fresh weight). Long-range dent corn greenhouse studies and field trials with 17 wild-type strains and 14 antibiotic-resistant mutants demonstrated bacterial persistence at significant average colonization levels ranging between 3.4 and 6.1 log(10) CFU/g (fresh weight) up to 78 days postinoculation. Three prairie and three agronomic endophytes exhibiting the most promising levels of colonization and an ability to persist were identified as Cellulomonas, Clavibacter, Curtobacterium, and Microbacterium isolates by 16S rRNA gene sequence, fatty acid, and carbon source utilization analyses. This study defines for the first time the endophytic nature of Microbacterium testaceum. These microorganisms may be useful for biocontrol and other applications.     

Structural characteristics and plant-beneficial effects of bacteria colonizing the shoots of field grown conventional and genetically modified T4-lysozyme producing potatoes

Genetically modified potatoes expressing antibacterial protein T4 lysozyme may offer effective control strategies for bacterial pathogens causing severe potato diseases. Apart from this beneficial effect, it is very important to investigate such engineered potatoes carefully for potential adverse effects on potato-associated bacteria which frequently exhibit plant beneficial functions such as plant growth promotion and antagonism towards pathogens invading the plant. Two field experiments were carried out in Spain to analyze the potential effects of conventional and genetically modified T4-lysozyme producing potatoes on shoot-associated bacteria. The first baseline field trial 2002 was performed in Meliana in which three conventional potato lines, Achirana Inta, Desirée, and Merkur, were cultivated and sampled at flowering. The second field trial was conducted in Cella in 2003 in order to compare the effects of a senescent transgenic, T4 lysozyme expressing potato trait, Desirée DL 12, with its isogenic, non-transformed parental line Desirée. Structural characteristics of potato shoot-associated bacteria was assayed by 16S rRNA-based terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) analysis and dominant community members within T-RFLP profiles were identified by sequence analysis of generated 16S rRNA gene libraries. Cultivable bacteria isolated from shoots of potatoes grown in the Meliana field trial were monitored for antibiosis against Ralstonia solanacearum, whereas isolates derived from shoots of potatoes cultivated in the Cella trial were screened for antagonism against Ralstonia solanacearum and Rhizoctonia solani, and for 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) deaminase production. Determined antagonists were identified by 16S rRNA gene analysis. All potato traits hosted a cultivar-specific community of bacteria with antagonism against the pathogens and/or potential to produce ACC deaminase. Several antagonists obtained from the Cella field potatoes were also observed as ACC deaminase producers. Community profiling revealed a greater diversity differentiation between the senescent T4 lysozyme expressing and parental Desirée lines grown in the Cella field as compared to the variations between the three flowering conventional lines cultivated in the Meliana field trial. Effects of the two varying field sites and different vegetation stages were greater than those of T4 lysozyme when investigating the community composition of bacteria colonizing the shoots of the Desirée line cultivated in both field trials.     

白皮锦鸡儿种子内生细菌的分布与分离鉴定

【目的】了解对荒漠环境有良好适应性的白皮锦鸡儿种子可培养内生细菌的多样性。【方法】采用种子表面灭菌、种皮与种仁分离、可培养细菌分离纯化、对p H及盐的耐受性、16S r RNA基因序列扩增和系统发育分析进行系统研究。【结果】从白皮锦鸡儿成熟种子种皮和种仁分别分离纯化到6株和26株内生细菌,其中分离自种皮的菌株最适p H均在9.0以上,且有3株最高可耐受p H 14.0,有5株可耐受10%的Na Cl;分离自种仁的菌株p H耐受范围明显低于种皮,但有12株对Na Cl的耐受性可达10%。16S r RNA基因序列分析显示,30株与芽孢杆菌属(Bacillus sp.)接近,相似率95%-99%,其中13株与枯草芽孢杆菌(Bacillus subtilis)的相似率为96%-99%,11株与地衣芽孢杆菌(Bacillus licheniformis)相似率为95%-99%;1株与单孢菌属(Sphingomonas sp.)相似性为99%,1株与大肠杆菌属(Escherichia sp.)相似性为98%。【结论】白皮锦鸡儿种仁内生菌数量和种类均高于种皮,体现出其可培养内生菌在空间分布的分异性及种类的多样性,且推测其种皮内生菌对盐碱的高度耐受性应与其环境适应性相关。     

Diverse endophytic bacteria isolated from a leguminous tree Conzattia multiflora grown in Mexico

Conzattia multiflora is a leguminous tree present only in Mexico and Guatemala. There is no record about its symbiotic or pathogenic microbes. In this study, we found that numerous bacteria with 10⁴–10⁶ individuals per gram of fresh epidermis were distributed in the tissue of this plant. All the bacteria isolated from the Conzattia epidermis were Gram-negative, facultative anaerobic rods and formed yellow or colorless colonies. They were identified as endophytes by inoculation tests. Some of the bacteria could significantly promote the growth of Conzattia seedlings. Nine different groups were defined by PCR-based RFLP, which were classified as Pantoea, Erwinia, Salmonella, Enterobacter, Citrobacter and Klebsiella by the phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA genes. The existence of plant-borne lineages of Salmonella indicates that the unexplored plants may harbor some unknown microbes.     

Plasmid transformation and expression of the firefly luciferase in Microbacterium testaceum type and endophytic colonizing field strains

Microbacterium testaceum is a predominant endophytic bacterial species isolated from corn and sorghum in the midwestern United States. The development of genetic transfer systems for M. testaceum may enable its use for biocontrol and other applications. The type strain (IFO 12675) and field isolates (SE017, SE034, and CE648) were grown to mid-exponential phase, concentrated (1.0 x 1011 CFU x mL(-1)), electroporated (Escherichia coli-Clavibacter shuttle plasmid pDM302), and plated on TSA with 10 microg x mL(-1) chloramphenicol. Transformation efficiencies averaged 140 CFU x microg(-1) of DNA. Restriction endonuclease analysis showed that pDM302 was not altered after extraction from transformants and re-introduction into E. coli. Transformants with pDM302 were also subjected to nonselective growth conditions, with the frequency of loss after one passage being 84% for IFO 12675 and 88% for SE034. We inserted the green fluorescent protein and the firefly luciferase (FFlux) reporter genes into pDM302, confirming the expression of FFlux in IFO 12675 and SE034. The SE034 FFlux strain was recovered from inoculated corn in greenhouse studies and found to fluoresce by luminometry. These results in M. testaceum demonstrate for the first time its transformability, pDM302 replication, FFlux gene expression, and the recovery of the FFlux recombinant strain from inoculated corn.     

Occurrence,physiological and molecular analysis of endophytic diazotrophic bacteria in gramineous energy plants

Endophytic diazotrophic bacteria could be isolated from the energy plants Pennisetum purpureum, Miscanthus sinensis, Miscanthus sacchariflorus and Spartina pectinata using semisolid nitrogen free media. Higher levels of diazotrophic bacteria were found if no nitrogen fertilizer was applied. The bacteria were characterized on the basis of typical morphology, physiological tests, and the use of phylogenetic oligonucleotide probes. They belong partially to the species Azospirillum lipoferum and Herbaspirillum seropedicae while others supposedly represent a new species of Herbaspirillum. Using PCR-fingerprinting techniques a limited genetic diversity of these isolates was found which may indicate an adaptation to the specific conditions of the interior of these plants.     

Natural incidence of endophytic bacteria in pea cultivars under field conditions

Pea plants grown in the field were used to study the natural incidence of endophytic bacteria in the stem. Eleven pea cultivars at the flowering stage were screened for the presence of endophytic bacteria using a printing technique with surface disinfested stem cross-sections on 5% Trypticase Soy Agar (TSA). Five cultivars showed colonization. Cultivar Twiggy showed the highest and most consistent colonization and was further investigated. Stems of cv. Twiggy at the pod stage were analyzed for endophytic bacterial types and populations. Cross-sections of surface disinfested stems were printed on 5% TSA. Endophytic bacterial populations decreased from the lower to the upper part of the stem. One section from the third and the fourth internode was surface disinfested, homogenized, and spiral plated on the media 5% TSA, R2A, and SC (Davis et al. 1980). Over a series of 30 samples, 5% TSA gave significantly better recovery of bacterial endophytes compared with R2A and SC media. For most stems, populations ranged from 10(4) to 10(5) CFU/g except in one of the field blocks in which endophyte populations were uniformly higher. Comparison of colony counts by spiral plating and printing showed a positive correlation. The most frequently recovered bacterial types were Pantoea agglomerans and Pseudomonas fluorescens. Less frequently isolated were Pseudomonas viridiflava and Bacillus megaterium.     

Intense association of non-culturable endophytic bacteria with antibiotic-cleansed in vitro watermelon and their activation in degenerating cultures

The study was undertaken with a view to unravel the source of bacterial colony growth observed in a section of micropropagated triploid watermelon cultures that were supposedly cleansed of the associated endophytic bacteria through antibiotic treatment, and thereafter maintained under stringent sterility checks to prevent lateral intrusion of contaminants. Five different bacteria were retrieved from colony growth-displaying watermelon cultures that were previously treated with gentamycin and five isolates from cefazolin-treated stocks with the organisms showing tolerance to the respective antibiotic. These watermelon cultures were in degeneration phase (over 6 months after the previous sub-culturing), while the actively maintained counterpart stocks appeared healthy with no colony growth on different bacteriological media during tissue-screenings. The latter cultures, however, revealed abundant motile, tetrazolium-stained bacterial cells in microscopy, suggesting tissue colonization by non-culturable endophytes. PCR screening on healthy cultures endorsed tissue colonization by different bacterial phylogenic groups. A few organisms could be activated to cultivation from healthy watermelon stocks through host tissue extract supplementation, which also enhanced the growth of all the organisms. The study indicated that a fraction of antibiotic-tolerant bacteria survived intra-tissue in non-culturable form during the preceding cleansing activity, multiplied to substantial numbers thereafter, and turned cultivable in degenerating cultures contributed by tissue breakdown products. This study brings out the existence of a deep endophyte association in tissue cultures which is not easily dissociable. It also signifies the utility of in vitro system for investigations into plant–endophyte association and to bring normally non-culturable novel organisms to cultivation facilitating their future exploitation.     

Effect of boron and methionine on growth and ion content in kiwifruit shoots cultured in vitro

The growth of kiwifruit explants was affected by boron (B) and methionine (Meth) in the culture medium. The longest shoots, the greatest number of shoots and the highest amount of fresh mass per explant were produced in Murashige and Skoog medium with 2 mM B and 2 μM Meth. Furthermore, by increasing B concentration in the culture medium from 0 to 2 mM, an increased rate of shoot proliferation was observed for the various Meth concentrations employed.     

Papaya shoot tip associated endophytic bacteria isolated from in vitro cultures and host-endophyte interaction in vitro and in vivo

Fourteen distinct bacterial clones were isolated from surface-sterilized shoot tips (approximately 1 cm) of papaya (Carica papaya L. 'Surya') planted on Murashige and Skoog (MS)-based papaya culture medium (23/50 nos.) during the 2-4 week period following in vitro culturing. These isolates were ascribed to six Gram-negative genera, namely Pantoea (P. ananatis), Enterobacter (E. cloacae), Brevundimonas (B. aurantiaca), Sphingomonas, Methylobacterium (M. rhodesianum), and Agrobacterium (A. tumefaciens) or two Gram-positive genera, Microbacterium (M. esteraromaticum) and Bacillus (B. benzoevorans) based on 16S rDNA sequence analysis. Pantoea ananatis was the most frequently isolated organism (70% of the cultures) followed by B. benzoevorans (13%), while others were isolated from single stocks. Bacteria-harboring in vitro cultures often showed a single organism. Pantoea, Enterobacter, and Agrobacterium spp. grew actively on MS-based normal papaya medium, while Microbacterium, Brevundimonas, Bacillus, Sphingomonas, and Methylobacterium spp. failed to grow in the absence of host tissue. Supplying MS medium with tissue extract enhanced the growth of all the organisms in a dose-dependent manner, indicating reliance of the endophyte on its host. Inoculation of papaya seeds with the endophytes (20 h at OD550=0.5) led to delayed germination or slow seedling growth initially. However, the inhibition was overcome by 3 months and the seedlings inoculated with Pantoea, Microbacterium, or Sphingomonas spp. displayed significantly better root and shoot growths.     

Effect of photoperiod on some stomatal characteristics of in vitro cultured fruit tree shoots

The effect of the photoperiod on some stomatal characteristics in various leaf lamina zones and in leaves of different age was studied on in vitro grown shoots of Prunus cerasifera clone Mr.S. 2/5, t Malus pumila Mill clone M9, and peach x almond hybrid clone GF 677. Stomatal density was highest in leaves exposed to continuous light and lowest with continuous dark. Photoperiod treatments supplying the same quantity of daily radiation but distributed over different cycles (4 h light and 2 h dark, 16 h light and 8 h dark) led to differing stomatal densities intermediate between those of the above light treatments. The light regime with the shortest light and dark periods was found to be most favorable to stomatal differentiation. Regardless of light treatment, stomatal density was found to be lower in the leaf lamina basal zone as compared to the median and apical zones, and decreasing from the 1st to 3rd to 5th leaf counting down from the apex. The photoperiod effect was also confirmed by a stomatal index. The stomatal axis ratio showed no interaction with the photoperiod but did highlight a tendency to rounder stomatal shape with increasing stomatal age. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Structural properties, functional states and physiological roles of hydrogenase in photosynthetic bacteria

Abstract The membrane-bound hydrogenase from Thiocapsa roseopersicina is composed of two subunits and contains two Fe-S centres and one Ni per molecule. The enzyme resists heat and proteolytic degradation, its activity is retained under SDS-PAGE conditions.
The location of the metal atoms on the subunits has been determined by proton-induced X-ray emission (PIXE). A revised hydrogenase model which concurs with the new data is suggested.
The orientation of the enzyme in the photosynthetic membrane and its ability to generate membrane potential suggest that hydrogenase can play a significant role in the energetics of these bacteria. A possible link between nitrogen fixation, photosynthetic electron transport and hydrogenase is proposed.     

Intraspecific physiological variation: implications for understanding functional diversity in ectomycorrhizal fungi

 Several thousand fungal species worlwide are thought to form ectomycorrhizas (ECM) with tree hosts and there is currently much interest in determining the functional significance of such diversity in natural and managed ecosystems. While only a few taxa have been investigated in detail, it is clear that ECM fungi display extensive intraspecific variation in a range of physiological and other life-history parameters. Thus, comparative investigations of single (or even a few) isolates of different species are unlikely to provide reliable information on functional capabilities. Extensive screening of taxonomically well-defined isolates is required. This must take into account spatial and temporal variation in gene expression in mycelia growing in axenic culture or in association with a host plant. Accepted: 29 June 1999     

Organogenesis of vegetative shoots from in vitro cultured flower buds of Mammillaria albicoma (Cactaceae)

We tested the organogenetic capacity of floral buds of Mammillaria albicoma Böed. (Cactaceae). Buds were incubated on solid MS medium supplemented with 0.1 mg l^?1 α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and 5.0 mg l^?1 6-benzylaminopurine (BA). Callus growth was observed from the cut explant base and from within the perianth. These calli during subsequent subcultures to the same medium gave rise to adventitious shoots. Shoots formed also directly from the perianth, as confirmed by observations in the light microscope and scanning electron microscope (SEM). On transfer to a fresh medium, the shoots produced proliferating cultures. This is the first report of regeneration of cactus shoots from floral explants.     

The effect of bacterial contamination on the growth and gas evolution ofIn vitro cultured apricot shoots

Summary Shoots of “San Castrese” and “Portici” apricots (Prunus armeniaca L.) free of cultivable bacteria, shoots of the same origin exhibiting bacterial contamination after repeated subcultures, and contaminated shoots treated with cefotaxime were compared for gas exchange, proliferation rate, and fresh and dry weight. Cultures of San Castrese contaminated byBacillus circulans andSphingomonas paucimobilis, and of Portici contaminated withStaphylococcus hominis andMicrococcus kristinae, including those treated with cefotaxime, showed comparable shoot weights and lower proliferation rates than healthy cultures. Bacteria, even if not visible until the end of subculture, markedly influenced the gaseous composition of the jar headspace. Healthy cultures clearly showed photosynthetic activity at 60 μM·m⁻²·s⁻¹ photosynthetically active radiation; in contrast, oxygen quickly decreased and carbon dioxide increased in contaminated cultures, including those treated with cefotaxime, in which bacteria became visible in the culture medium only after repeated subcultures.     

Cellular origin and ultrastructural changes of regenerating shoots from tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) internodes cultured in vitro

Ultrastructural changes were studied during shoot formation from tobacco internode slices cultured on Murashige and Skoog's (MS) basal medium plus 0.54 μ M naphthaleneacetic acid, 0.44 μ M 6-benzyladenine, 3% (w/v) sucrose and 0.8% (w/v) agar. Dramatic structural changes were observed in cortical cells below the internodal epidermis, especially those immediately centripetal to the stomata, by light and scanning electron microscopy. Transmission electron microscopic investigation revealed conspicuous structural changes to plastids at each stage during shoot regeneration. To confirm the significance of the cortical cells in shoot regeneration, protoplasts were isolated from them and shoots regenerated successfully. The ability of single cortical cell protoplasts to differentiate into shoots was demonstrated.