The Endophytic Bacterial Microbiota Associated with Sweet Sorghum () Is Modulated by the Application of Chemical N Fertilizer to the Field.

Sweet sorghum () is a multipurpose crop used as a feedstock to produce bioethanol, sugar, energy, and animal feed. However, it requires high levels of N fertilizer application to achieve the optimal growth, which causes environmental degradation. Bacterial endophytes, which live inside plant tissues, play a key role in the health and productivity of their host.

Response of the microbial community associated with sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) to Bacillus safensis and Bacillus velezensis strains.

Sweet potato is a subsistence crop cultivated worldwide. Although it is generally considered tolerant to different diseases, it is quite susceptible to the fungus Plenodomus destruens that causes foot-rot disease. Plant growth-promoting bacteria associated with sweet potato remain poorly studied, but some Bacillus strains may have potential as biological control agents.

2,3-Butanediol production by the non-pathogenic bacterium Paenibacillus brasilensis.

2,3-Butanediol (2,3-BDO) is of considerable importance in the chemical, plastic, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food industries. The main bacterial species producing this compound are considered pathogenic, hindering large-scale productivity. The species Paenibacillus brasilensis is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) and is phylogenetically similar to P.

Generally recognized as safe (GRAS) Lactococcus lactis strains associated with Lippia sidoides Cham. are able to solubilize/mineralize phosphate.

Eight strains isolated from the stems of Lippia sidoides were identified as belonging to Lactococcus lactis, a bacterial species considered as "generally recognized as safe". Their capacity to solubilize/mineralize phosphate was tested in vitro with different inorganic and organic phosphorus (P) sources. All strains were able to solubilize calcium phosphate as an inorganic P source, and the best result was observed with strain 003.

Monitoring of the Parasite Load in the Digestive Tract of Rhodnius prolixus by Combined qPCR Analysis and Imaging Techniques Provides New Insights into the Trypanosome Life Cycle.

Background: Here we report the monitoring of the digestive tract colonization of Rhodnius prolixus by Trypanosoma cruzi using an accurate determination of the parasite load by qPCR coupled with fluorescence and bioluminescence imaging (BLI). These complementary methods revealed critical steps necessary for the parasite population to colonize the insect gut and establish vector infection.

Methodology/principal Findings: qPCR analysis of the parasite load in the insect gut showed several limitations due mainly to the presence of digestive-derived products that are thought to degrade DNA and inhibit further the PCR reaction.

Endophytic microbial community in two transgenic maize genotypes and in their near-isogenic non-transgenic maize genotype.

Background: Despite all the benefits assigned to the genetically modified plants, there are still no sufficient data available in literature concerning the possible effects on the microbial communities associated with these plants. Therefore, this study was aimed at examining the effects of the genetic modifications of two transgenic maize genotypes (MON810--expressing the insecticidal Bt-toxin and TC1507--expressing the insecticidal Bt-toxin and the herbicide resistance PAT [phosphinothricin-N-acetyltransferase]) on their endophytic microbial communities, in comparison to the microbial community found in the near-isogenic non-transgenic maize (control).

Results: The structure of the endophytic communities (Bacteria, Archaea and fungi) and their composition (Bacteria) were evaluated by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and the construction of clone libraries, respectively.

Does the essential oil of Lippia sidoides Cham. (pepper-rosmarin) affect its endophytic microbial community?

Background: Lippia sidoides Cham., also known as pepper-rosmarin, produces an essential oil in its leaves that is currently used by the pharmaceutical, perfumery and cosmetic industries for its antimicrobial and aromatic properties. Because of the antimicrobial compounds (mainly thymol and carvacrol) found in the essential oil, we believe that the endophytic microorganisms found in L.

Bacterial community associated with the trunk latex of Hancornia speciosa Gomes (Apocynaceae) grown in the northeast of Brazil.

Prevention or cure of different illnesses through the use of plant latex is a worldwide known concept. The antifungal activity of Hancornia speciosa latex has been observed against Candida albicans. However, H.

Comparison of the bacterial community and characterization of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria from different genotypes of Chrysopogon zizanioides (L.) Roberty (vetiver) rhizospheres.

Molecular approaches [PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE)] were used to determine whether three different vetiver (Chrysopogon zizanioides) genotypes, commercially used in Brazil and considered economically important over the world, select specific bacterial populations to coexist in their rhizospheres. DGGE profiles revealed that the predominant rhizospheric bacterial community hardly varies regarding the vetiver genotype. Moreover, using traditional cultivation methods, bacterial strains were isolated from the different rhizospheres.

Cyclodextrin production and genetic characterization of cyclodextrin glucanotranferase of Paenibacillus graminis.

Paenibacillus graminis strains were described recently as cyclodextrin (CD) producers. Cyclodextrins are produced by cyclodextrin glucanotransferase (CGTase) which has not been characterized in P. graminis.

Evaluation of the diversity of cyclodextrin-producing Paenibacillus graminis strains isolated from roots and rhizospheres of different plants by molecular methods.

To address the diversity of cyclodextrin-producing P. graminis strains isolated from wheat roots and rhizospheres of maize and sorghum sown in Australia, Brazil, and France, restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of part of genes encoding RNA polymerase (rpoB-RFLP) and DNA gyrase subunit B (gyrB-RFLP) was used to produce genetic fingerprints. A phylogenetic tree based on rpoB gene sequences was also constructed.