A Phloem-Feeding Insect Transfers Bacterial Endophytic Communities between Grapevine Plants.

ABSTRACT: Bacterial endophytes colonize the inner tissues of host plants through the roots or through discontinuities on the plant surface, including wounds and stomata. Little is known regarding a possible role of insects in acquiring and transmitting non-phytopathogenic microorganisms from plant to plant, especially those endophytes that are beneficial symbionts providing plant protection properties and homeostatic stability to the host. To understand the ecological role of insects in the transmission of endophytic bacteria, we used freshly hatched nymphs of the American sap-feeding leafhopper Scaphoideus titanus (vector) to transfer microorganisms across grapevine plants. After contact with the vector, sink plants were colonized by a complex endophytic community dominated by Proteobacteria

SUBMITTER: Lopez-Fernandez S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5430944 | biostudies-literature | 2017

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature