The impact of microbial biotransformation of catechin in enhancing the allelopathic effects of Rhododendron formosanum.

ABSTRACT: Rhododendron formosanum is distributed widely in the central mountains in Taiwan and the major allelopathic compound in the leaves has been identified as (-)-catechin, which is also a major allelochemical of an invasive spotted knapweed in North America. Soil microorganisms play key roles in ecosystems and influence various important processes, including allelopathy. However, no microorganism has been identified as an allelochemical mediator. This study focused on the role of microorganisms in the allelopathic effects of R. formosanum. The microorganism population in the rhizosphere of R. formosanum was investigated and genetic analysis revealed that the predominant genera of microorganisms in the rhizosphere of R. formosanum were Pseudomonas, Herbaspirillum, and Burkholderia. The dominant

SUBMITTER: Wang CM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3877349 | biostudies-literature | 2013

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature