Vladimir Kuzmich Chebotar
All-Russia Research Institute for Agricultural Microbiology, Russia
Title: Bacterial endophytes of grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) as benefi cial partners for the effective plantmicrobial systems
Biography
Biography: Vladimir Kuzmich Chebotar
Abstract
The strategy of symbiotic (cooperative) adaptations is at least as common, if not more common, in the living nature as that of
individual (autobiotic) adaptations. However, few plants have been studied in respect of their interaction with endophytic
microorganisms. Endophytic bacteria are present in all tissues and organs of grapevine but their numbers increase from shoots
to roots. B. pumilus and B. cereus have been found both in fl owers and in other parts of grapevine plants. During our study
the culturable strains of bacteria inhabiting the endosphere of grapevine cuttings of four cultivars have been isolated and
their physiological and benefi cial properties were identifi ed and characterized. Colonization process and localization sites of
introduced dsRed-labeled strain in the endosphere of grapevine have been studied using confocal scanning laser microscopy.
Th e taxonomic diversity of microorganisms isolated from the inner tissues of grapevine (four cultivars) was identifi ed based on
the analysis of the 16S rRNA gene fragments. A characteristic feature of bacterial populations of grapevine of diff erent cultivars
and diff erent geographical origin was the presence of bacteria belonging to the genus Bacillus. As a result of transformation of
several promising strains of endophytic bacteria, DsRED+phenotypes were obtained. Th eir introduction into the vegetative
parts of grapevine plants made it possible to reveal its endophytic localization of DsRED labeled pseudomonads in the vascular
tissue of the plants. Endophytic bacteria were localized in pitted vessels of grapevine shoots, single cells or in small groups.
Th e strain was mobile and could move and circulate in the vessels. So, isolated endophytic bacterial strains show biocontrol
and phytostimulating activity and may colonize internal tissues of grapevine. Th e inoculation of grapevine cuttings with these
strains before rooting may provide the plants with endophytic PGP microorganisms.