Open AccessBacterial endophytes from seeds of Norway spruce ( Picea abies L. Karst)
Author(s) -
Cankar Katarina,
Kraigher Hojka,
Ravnikar Maja,
Rupnik Maja
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
fems microbiology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.899
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1574-6968
pISSN - 0378-1097
DOI - 10.1016/j.femsle.2005.02.008
Subject(s) - picea abies , biology , botany , bacteria , endosperm , karst , pseudomonas , germination , endophyte , paleontology , genetics
Abstract Endophytic bacteria from wooden plants and especially seed‐associated endophytes are not well studied. Fresh seeds collected from four Norway spruce trees ( Picea abies ) from different locations in the Slovene subalpine region were surface‐sterilised and dissected into a seed coat, embryo and endosperm. The presence of endophytes was detected by culturing methods and by direct amplification of the eubacterial 16S rDNA gene. Both approaches identified bacteria from genera Pseudomonas and Rahnella in the Norway spruce seeds. Both are known plant‐associated bacteria with growth‐promoting properties and biological control potential. We suggest that plant seeds could serve as a vector for transmission of beneficial bacteria.