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Bacterial endophytes from rice cut grass (Leersia oryzoides L.) increase growth, promote root gravitropic response, stimulate root hair formation, and protect rice seedlings from disease

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Abstract

Background and Aims

Leersia oryzoides, a wild relative of rice (Oryza sativa), may carry potential seed-borne bacterial endophytes which could be used to enhance growth of rice. We hypothesized that seed-associated bacteria from L. oryzoides would be compatible with rice and promote seedling growth, development, and survival.

Methods

We isolated bacteria from seed of L. oryzoides and checked compatibility with rice as well as Bermuda grass seeds for seedling growth promotion. Internal colonisation of bacteria into root cells was observed by ROS staining and microscopic observation. Growth promoting bacteria were evaluated for IAA production, phosphate solubilization and antifungal activities.

Results

Overall, ten bacteria were found to be growth promoting in rice seedlings with effects including restoration of root gravitropic response, increased root and shoot growth, and stimulation of root hair formation. All bacteria were identified by 16S rDNA sequencing. Six bacteria were found to become intracellular in root parenchyma and root hairs in rice and in Bermuda grass seedlings. Six bacteria were able to produce IAA in LB broth with highest (47.06 ± 1.99 μg ml−1) by LTE3 (Pantoea hericii). Nine isolates solubilized phosphate and inhibited at least one soil borne fungal pathogen.

Conclusions

Seed bacteria of L. oryzoides are compatible with rice. Many of these bacteria become intracellular, induce root gravitropic response, increase root and shoot growth, and stimulate root hair formation in both rice and Bermuda grass seedlings. Presence of bacteria protects seedlings from soil pathogens during seedling establishment. This research suggests that bioprospecting microbes on near relatives of rice and other crop plants may be a viable strategy to obtain microbes to improve cultivation of crops.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are thankful to the Department of Plant Biology, Rutgers University, NJ for use of research facilities. SKV is thankful to UGC, India for providing a Raman Post Doctoral fellowship (No.-F 5-11/2016 IC) for the year (2015-16) to research in USA. SKV and RNK thank the Head and Coordinator CAS, FIST of Botany, B.H.U., Varanasi, India for providing facilities and leave to pursue research on endophytes. The authors are also thankful for support from the John E. and Christina C. Craighead Foundation, USDA-NIFA Multistate Project W3147, the Rutgers Turf Grass Research Center, and the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Plant Biology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA

    Satish K. Verma, Kathryn Kingsley, Marshall Bergen, Camille English, Matthew Elmore & James F. White

  2. Centre of Advanced Study in Botany, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, UP, 221005, India

    Satish K. Verma & Ravindra N. Kharwar

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  1. Satish K. Verma
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  2. Kathryn Kingsley
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  3. Marshall Bergen
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  4. Camille English
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Correspondence to Satish K. Verma or James F. White.

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Verma, S.K., Kingsley, K., Bergen, M. et al. Bacterial endophytes from rice cut grass (Leersia oryzoides L.) increase growth, promote root gravitropic response, stimulate root hair formation, and protect rice seedlings from disease. Plant Soil 422, 223–238 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-017-3339-1

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