Abstract Detail

Symbioses: Plant, Animal, and Microbe Interactions

Identifying Microbes that Improve Growth of Biofuel Crop Switchgrass.

The soil microbiome is extremely diverse and plays a significant role in plant health. The microbial community closely associated with plant's roots is known as the rhizosphere. Plants send signals to the microbial community within its rhizosphere via metabolic root exudates, which influences the composition and abundance of microbes in the rhizosphere to support the plant's needs. To gain insight as to how rhizosphere microbes affect the growth of the biofuel candidate switchgrass, a collection of bacteria was isolated from the rhizosphere of switchgrass plants grown at the Kellogg Biological Station in Hickory Corners, MI. Growth curve assays were performed to determine bacterial growth kinetics in the presence and absence of switchgrass root exudates. Preliminary results show several rhizosphere isolates with improved growth when supplemented with switchgrass root exudates as compared to growth in control condition, and in at least one of three key growth parameters: biomass (measured as maximum optical density at 600 nm), decreased lag time to exponential growth, or increased rate of exponential growth. 32 isolates had increased total biomass (measured as optical density). Of these, we targeted 15 isolates (14 proteobacteria, 1 actinomycetota) for follow-up studies of pairwise interactions with other isolates to construct non-inhibitive communities that could next be tested for positive plant outcomes in greenhouse studies. Ultimately, identification of beneficial switchgrass microbes can be used to treat switchgrass in the field, ideally resulting in increased biomass of switchgrass crops.

1 - 329 Center St, East Lansing, MI, 48823, United States

Keywords:
plant-microbe
biofuels.

Presentation Type: Poster
Number:
Abstract ID:475
Candidate for Awards:Phytochemical Best Poster Award

Canceled