Invasive Lactuca serriola seeds contain endophytic bacteria that contribute to drought tolerance.

ABSTRACT: The mutualistic relationship between alien plant species and microorganisms is proposed to facilitate or hinder invasive success, depending on whether plants can form novel associations with microorganisms in the introduced habitats. However, this hypothesis has not considered seed endophytes that would move together with plant propagules. Little information is available on the seed endophytic bacteria of invasive species and their effects on plant performance. We isolated the seed endophytic bacteria of a xerophytic invasive plant, Lactuca serriola, and examined their plant growth-promoting traits. In addition, we assessed whether these seed endophytes contributed to plant drought tolerance. Forty-two bacterial species were isolated from seeds, and all of them exhibited at least one plant

SUBMITTER: Jeong S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8233371 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature