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Links between plant and rhizoplane bacterial communities in grassland soils, characterized using molecular techniques.

Molecular analysis of grassland rhizosphere soil has demonstrated complex and diverse bacterial communities, with resultant difficulties in detecting links between plant and bacterial communities. These studies have, however, analyzed "bulk" rhizosphere soil, rather than rhizoplane communities, which interact most closely with plants through utilization of root exudates. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that plant species was a major driver for bacterial rhizoplane community composition on individual plant roots. DNA extracted from individual roots was used to determine plant identity, by analysis of the plastid tRNA leucine (trnL) UAA gene intron, and plant-related bacterial communities. Bacterial communities were characterized by analysis of PCR-amplified 16S rRNA genes using two fingerprinting methods: terminal restriction fragment length polymorphisms (T-RFLP) and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). Links between plant and bacterial rhizoplane communities could not be detected by visual examination of T-RFLP patterns or DGGE banding profiles. Statistical analysis of fingerprint patterns did not reveal a relationship between bacterial community composition and plant species but did demonstrate an influence of plant community composition. The data also indicated that topography and other, uncharacterized, environmental factors are important in driving bacterial community composition in grassland soils. T-RFLP had greater potential resolving power than DGGE, but findings from the two methods were not significantly different.

Bacteria↗

Five Nodulation Mutants of White Sweetclover (Melilotus alba Desr.) Exhibit Distinct Phenotypes Blocked at Root Hair Curling, Infection Thread Development, and Nodule Organogenesis.

In an effort to obtain a developmental sequence of mutations in the Rhizobium-legume interaction within a single legume species, we have characterized the early events of nodule development in 10 nodulation mutants of sweetclover, Melilotus alba Desr. cv U389, representing five genetic loci. Both seed and root exudates from all of the sweetclover mutants induced expression of the nod genes of Rhizobium meliloti. Mutants in three loci were blocked in the early stages of root hair curling. Of these, a mutant in the sym-3 locus exhibited root hair deformations in response to inoculation with R. meliloti but produced no nodules or emerging nodule primordia, suggesting a blockage in the signal transduction events leading to nodule organogenesis. In contrast, mutants in both the sym-1 and sym-5 loci formed ineffective nodules in response to inoculation but differed slightly in the type of root hair response observed. None of these three early mutants formed infection threads. Infection threads were observed in mutant sym-2 as well as in ineffective nodules. Mutant sym-4 also formed infection threads but lacked nodules. The phenotypes observed for mutants from these five loci suggest that a secondary receptor or signal produced by the plant is required for nodule development.

Journal Article↗

Stimulation of border cell production in response to increased carbon dioxide levels.

Field soil atmospheres have higher CO(2) and lower O(2) concentrations compared with ambient atmosphere, but little is known about the impact of such conditions on root exudation patterns. We used altered levels of CO(2) and O(2) relative to ambient conditions to examine the influence of the atmosphere on the production of root border cells by pea (Pisum sativum) root tips. During germination, atmospheres with high CO(2) and low O(2) inhibited root development and border cell separation in pea seedlings. Later in development, the same atmospheric composition stimulated border cell separation without significantly influencing root growth. Increased CO(2), not low O(2), was responsible for the observed stimulation of border cell number. High CO(2) apparently can override endogenous signals that regulate the number of border cells released from pea roots into the rhizosphere. The same conditions that stimulated border cell production in pea had no such effect in alfalfa (Medicago sativa).

Carbon Dioxide↗

Identification of rice varieties with high tolerance or sensitivity to lead and characterization of the mechanism of tolerance.

Pb inhibits plant growth. To study Pb tolerance in rice (Oryza sativa), we screened 229 varieties for Pb tolerance or sensitivity. Three-day-old seedlings were treated for 12 d with 20 microM Pb solution. Based on the dry weight of the root, three Pb-tolerant (var CH-55, var KH-2J, var Kumnung) and three Pb-sensitive (var Aixueru, var C-9491, var Milyang23) rice varieties were selected. The root biomasses of the tolerant varieties were approximately 10-fold higher than those of the sensitive ones. The greatest morphological difference between the two groups was in the growth of the adventitious roots, as tolerant lines were able to develop adventitious roots after 6 d of Pb treatment, whereas sensitive ones did not develop any even after 15 d. The growth of adventitious roots in the tolerant varieties was dependent on a mechanism, whereby Pb was altered to a form that cannot be taken up by the tissue, because (a) the solution in which the tolerant varieties of rice had grown still contained Pb but nevertheless did not affect the root growth of new rice seedlings, and (b) the adventitious roots of tolerant seedlings developed in Pb solution contained little Pb. The oxalate content in the root and root exudate increased upon Pb treatment in the tolerant varieties, whereas the opposite was observed for the sensitive ones. Oxalate added to the growth solution ameliorated the inhibition of root growth by Pb. These results suggest that compounds such as oxalate secreted from the root may reduce the bio-availability of Pb, and that this may constitute an important Pb tolerance mechanism in the tolerant rice varieties studied here.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

Exploiting new systems-based strategies to elucidate plant-bacterial interactions in the rhizosphere.

The rhizosphere is the site of intense interactions between plant, bacterial, and fungal partners. In plant-bacterial interactions, signal molecules exuded by the plant affect both primary initiation and subsequent behavior of the bacteria in complex beneficial associations such as biocontrol. However, despite this general acceptance that plant-root exudates have an effect on the resident bacterial populations, very little is still known about the influence of these signals on bacterial gene expression and the roles of genes found to have altered expression in plant-microbial interactions. Analysis of the rhizospheric communities incorporating both established techniques, and recently developed "omic technologies" can now facilitate investigations into the molecular basis underpinning the establishment of beneficial plant-microbial interactomes in the rhizosphere. The understanding of these signaling processes, and the functions they regulate, is fundamental to understanding the basis of beneficial microbial-plant interactions, to overcoming existing limitations, and to designing improved strategies for the development of novel Pseudomonas biocontrol strains.

Bacterial Physiological Phenomena↗

Model system for studies of microbial dynamics at exuding surfaces such as the rhizosphere.

An autoclavable all-glass system for studying microbial dynamics at permeable surfaces is described. Standard hydrophobic or hydrophilic membranes (46-mm diameter) of various pore sizes were supported on a glass frit through which nutrient solutions were pumped by a peristaltic pump. The pump provided a precisely controlled flow at speeds of 0.5 to 500 ml of defined or natural cell exudates per h, which passed through the membrane into a receiving vessel. The construction allowed a choice of membranes, which could be modified. The system was tested with a bacterium, isolated from rape plant roots (Brassica napus L.), that was inoculated on a hydrophilic membrane filter and allowed to develop into a biofilm. A defined medium with a composition resembling that of natural rape root exudate was pumped through the membrane at 0.5 ml/h. Scanning electron microscopic examinations indicated that the inoculum formed microcolonies embedded in exopolymers evenly distributed over the membrane surface. The lipid composition and content of poly-beta-hydroxybutyrate in free-living and adhered cells were determined by gas chromatography. The bacterial consumption of amino acids in the exudate was also studied.

Amino Acids↗

Metabolic profiling of Burkholderia cenocepacia, Burkholderia ambifaria, and Burkholderia pyrrocinia isolates from maize rhizosphere.

Burkholderia cenocepacia, Burkholderia ambifaria, and Burkholderia pyrrocinia are the Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc) species most frequently associated with roots of crop plants. To investigate the ecophysiological diversity of these species, metabolic profiling of maize rhizosphere isolates was carried out by means of the Biolog system, using GN2 and SFN2 plates and different parameters related to optical density (OD). The metabolic profiles produced by the SFN2 and GN2 plates were identical, but the SFN2's narrower range of OD values and significantly longer reaction times made these plates less suitable for differentiation of isolates. Principal component analysis of maximum OD (ODM) and maximum substrate oxidation rate (muM) data generated by GN2 plates allowed the selection of a reduced number of carbon sources. Statistical analysis of ODM values highlighted marked differences between the metabolic profiles of B. cenocepacia and B. ambifaria, whereas metabolic profiles of B. pyrrocinia clustered very often with those of B. cenocepacia. Analysis of the mu(M) parameter resulted in a slightly lower differentiation among the three Bcc species and a higher metabolic diversity within the single species, in particular within B. cenocepacia. Finally, B. cenocepacia and B. pyrrocinia showed generally higher oxidation rates than B. ambifaria on those GN2 substrates that commonly occur in maize root exudates.

Burkholderia cepacia↗

Comparison of survival of Campylobacter jejuni in the phyllosphere with that in the rhizosphere of spinach and radish plants.

Campylobacter jejuni has been isolated previously from market produce and has caused gastroenteritis outbreaks linked to produce. We have tested the ability of this human pathogen to utilize organic compounds that are present in leaf and root exudates and to survive in the plant environment under various conditions. Carbon utilization profiles revealed that C. jejuni can utilize many organic acids and amino acids available on leaves and roots. Despite the presence of suitable substrates in the phyllosphere and the rhizosphere, C. jejuni was unable to grow on lettuce and spinach leaves and on spinach and radish roots of plants incubated at 33 degrees C, a temperature that is conducive to its growth in vitro. However, C. jejuni was cultured from radish roots and from the spinach rhizosphere for at least 23 and 28 days, respectively, at 10 degrees C. This enteric pathogen also persisted in the rhizosphere of spinach for prolonged periods of time at 16 degrees C, a temperature at which many cool-season crops are grown. The decline rate constants of C. jejuni populations in the spinach and radish rhizosphere were 10- and 6-fold lower, respectively, than on healthy spinach leaves at 10 degrees C. The enhanced survival of C. jejuni in soil and in the rhizosphere may be a significant factor in its contamination cycle in the environment and may be associated with the sporadic C. jejuni incidence and campylobacteriosis outbreaks linked to produce.

Animals↗

[Effect of plants on methane production, oxidation and emission].

The paper reviewed the role of plants in the processes of methane production, oxidation and emission in soils. It was the abilities of different plants to excrete the quantity and quality of root exudates that resulted in discrepancies of methane production among plants and in plant growing seasons. The oxygen magnitude of the downward transport through the plant aerenechyma, which, in turn, also acted as a conduit for methane from the soil to the atmosphere, affected endogenous methane oxidation capacity with plants and with plant growing seasons. Plant through changing amount and density of plant aerenchyma altered its ability to transport methane from soil to atmosphere. In addition to soil properties, flux and pattern of methane emission from soils largely depended on plant abilities to excrete exudates and oxygen, and transport methane in different plant growing seasons.

Methane↗

Allelopathy in crop/weed interactions--an update.

Since varietal differences in allelopathy of crops against weeds were discovered in the 1970s, much research has documented the potential that allelopathic crops offer for integrated weed management with substantially reduced herbicide rates. Research groups worldwide have identified several crop species possessing potent allelopathic interference mediated by root exudation of allelochemicals. Rice, wheat, barley and sorghum have attracted most attention. Past research focused on germplasm screening for elite allelopathic cultivars and the identification of the allelochemicals involved. Based on this, traditional breeding efforts were initiated in rice and wheat to breed agronomically acceptable, weed-suppressive cultivars with improved allelopathic interference. Promising suppressive crosses are under investigation. Molecular approaches have elucidated the genetics of allelopathy by QTL mapping which associated the trait in rice and wheat with several chromosomes and suggested the involvement of several allelochemicals. Potentially important compounds that are constitutively secreted from roots have been identified in all crop species under investigation. Biosynthesis and exudation of these metabolites follow a distinct temporal pattern and can be induced by biotic and abiotic factors. The current state of knowledge suggests that allelopathy involves fluctuating mixtures of allelochemicals and their metabolites as regulated by genotype and developmental stage of the producing plant, environment, cultivation and signalling effects, as well as the chemical or microbial turnover of compounds in the rhizosphere. Functional genomics is being applied to identify genes involved in biosynthesis of several identified allelochemicals, providing the potential to improve allelopathy by molecular breeding. The dynamics of crop allelopathy, inducible processes and plant signalling is gaining growing attention; however, future research should also consider allelochemical release mechanisms, persistence, selectivity and modes of action, as well as consequences of improved crop allelopathy on plant physiology, the environment and management strategies. Creation of weed-suppressive cultivars with improved allelopathic interference is still a challenge, but traditional breeding or biotechnology should pave the way.

Breeding↗

Early responses to Nod factors and mycorrhizal colonization in a non-nodulating Phaseolus vulgaris mutant.

Legumes can acquire nitrogen through a symbiotic interaction with rhizobial bacteria. The initiation of this process is determined by a molecular dialogue between the two partners. Legume roots exude flavonoids that induce the expression of the bacterial nodulation genes, which encode proteins involved in the synthesis and secretion of signals called Nod factors (NFs). NFs signal back to the plant root and trigger several responses, leading to bacterial invasion and nodule formation. Here, we describe the molecular and cellular characterization of a Phaseolus vulgaris non-nodulating mutant (NN-mutant). Root hair cells of the NN-mutant plant respond with swelling and branching when inoculated with Rhizobium etli, albeit without curling induction. Furthermore, neither initiation of cell division in the outer cortex, nor entrapment of bacteria nor infection thread formation was observed. Both the bean wild-type and the NN-mutant responded with elevated intracellular calcium changes in the root hairs. Although the NN-mutant is deficient in early nodulin gene expression when inoculated with R. etli, it can be effectively colonized by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (Glomus intraradices). Our data indicate that the P. vulgaris NN-mutant is not blocked at the NFs early perception stage, but at later downstream stages between Ca(2+) signaling and early nodulin induction. This supports the idea that both microsymbionts are perceived and trigger different downstream pathways in the host plant.

Bacterial Proteins↗

[Variety-specific actinomycete complexes associated with barley roots in soddy podzolic soil].

The root-colonizing actinomycete complexes of genotypically different barley plants grown in soddy podzolic soil were found to contain streptomycetes of the sections Cinereus (series Chromogenes, Achromogenes, and Aureus) and Roseus (series Fradiae), dominant being streptomycetes of the section Cinereus ser. Chromogenes. The abundance and diversity of soil streptomycetes in the barley rhizoplane increased in the order: var. 999-93 < var. Kumir < var. Novichok < var. 889-93. Experiments revealed functional specificity in the root-associated actinomycete complexes of different barley varieties. The actinomycete complex colonizing the barley var. 999-93 roots was distinguished by a wide range of utilizable root exudate metabolites and a low occurrence rate of antagonistic species.

Actinobacteria↗

Fast moves in arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiotic signalling.

Exciting research looking at early events in arbuscular mycorrhizal symbioses has shown how the fungus and plant get together. Kohki Akiyama et al. have demonstrated that strigolactones in root exudates are fungal germ tube branching factors, and Arnaud Besserer et al. found that these compounds rapidly induce fungal mitochondrial activity. Andrea Genre et al. have shown that subsequent development of appressoria on host roots induces construction of a transient prepenetration apparatus inside epidermal cells that is reminiscent of nodulation infection.

Mycorrhizae↗

Root-hair response to vector-free gravity: role of Ca2+ ions.

In plants, apical growth is demonstrated by a variety of cells, including root hairs (RH) which are tubular outgrowths of root epidermal cells. They are likely to be involved in uptake of nutrients and water, anchorage of plants, maintenance of contact between roots and soil, and root exudation. Over the last years, it has become clear that calcium is involved in various processes which result in tip growth. Previous studies from our laboratory have demonstrated an increase in calcium level in root cells of pea seedlings grown under conditions of space flight and clinorotation. On the basis of these data, we have suggested that such effects of microgravity and clinorotation might be due to the enhancement of Ca2+ influx into hyaloplasm evidently through Ca2+ channels. In this regard, it was interesting to examine the effects of clinorotation and Ca2+ channel blockers (verapamil and nifedipine) on orientation and structure of growing RH that might be an appropriate model system being sensitive to calcium for studying the gravitational effects at cellular level.

Calcium↗

Aphid effects on rhizosphere microorganisms and microfauna depend more on barley growth phase than on soil fertilization.

This paper gives the first reports on aphid effects on rhizosphere organisms as influenced by soil nutrient status and plant development. Barley plants grown in pots fertilized with N but without P (N), with N and P (NP), or not fertilized (0) were sampled in the early growth phase (day 25), 1 week before and 1 week after spike emergence. Aphids were added 16 days before sampling was carried out. In a separate experiment belowground respiration was measured on N and NP fertilized plant-soil systems with aphid treatments comparable to the first experiment. Aphids reduced numbers of rhizosphere bacteria and fungal feeding nematodes 1 week before spike emergence. Before spike emergence, aphids reduced belowground respiration in NP treatments. These findings strongly indicate that aphids reduced allocation of photoassimilates to roots and deposition of root exudates in the growth phase of the plant. Contrary to this, 1 week after spike emergence numbers of bacteria, fungal feeding nematodes and Protozoa were higher in rhizospheres of plants subjected to aphids probably because aphids enhanced root mortality and root decomposition. Protozoa and bacterial feeding nematodes were stimulated at different experimental conditions with nematodes being the dominant bacterial grazers at N fertilization and Protozoa in the NP treatment before spike emergence.

Analysis of Variance↗

Visualizing rhizosphere chemistry of legumes with mid-infrared synchrotron radiation.

A bright synchrotron light source operated by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory served as an external source for infrared (IR) microscopy of plant root microcosms. Mid-IR light from synchrotrons is 2-3 orders of magnitude brighter than conventional sources, providing contrast based on the chemical information in the reflected signal at a spatial resolution near the diffraction-limit of 3-10 microm. In an experiment using plant root microcosms fitted with zinc selenide IR-transmissive windows (50 mm x 20 mm x 1 mm), we describe chemical differences and similarities within the root zone of mung bean (Vigna radiata L.), grown with or without phosphorus, and revealed by reflectance spectromicroscopy. Comparative root and root-exudate profiles are described in sand/silt culture over the wavelength range of 2.5 to 16 pm (4.000 to 650 cm(-1) ) in the mid-IR. the spectral region most useful for the analytical identification of small organic molecules. Root epidermal tissue of plants grown with low phosphorus showed a greater lipid contribution and less lignin than nutrient-sufficient plants. In the zone 200 microm from the root axis, control plants were enriched with simple sugars and monomeric lignin precursors. In low-phosphorus plants, the rhizosphere possessed IR signatures from protein and sugars. Individual soil minerals could be easily discriminated from biological material. Synchrotron IR spectromicroscopy, therefore, complements existing root imaging techniques.

Fabaceae↗

Mannityl opine accumulation and exudation by transgenic tobacco.

Three genes from the T(R) region of pTi15955 were introduced into tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) to direct the synthesis of the mannityl opines from hexose sugars and glutamine or glutamate. Opines were present in all tissue types tested and accumulated to levels of 100 to 150 micrograms per milligram dry weight in root, stem, and leaf tissues. Opine-producing plants appeared normal with respect to morphology and development. Transgenic plants grown for 60 days under sterile autotrophic conditions produced up to 540 micrograms of the mannityl opines per milligrams dry weight of tissue as root exudates. Opines were also detected in leaf and seed washes from soil-grown plants.

Journal Article↗

Effects of Abscisic Acid on the Hydraulic Conductance of and the Total Ion Transport through Phaseolus Root Systems.

The response of solute and volume fluxes of Phaseolus root systems to applied AbA was observed under conditions of applied pressure which were used to enhance the volume flow. The growth regulator elicited three separate responses: a transient release of solutes to the xylem which was responsible for an initial increase in volume flux; a long term increase in the total ion flux; and a long term decrease in the hydraulic conductance of the root systems. The exact response was highly dependent on the magnitude of the pre-AbA volume flux density, the relative contributions of osmotic and pressure-induced flow, and the applied dosage.Calculations suggested that the volume flux in naturally exuding root systems is relatively insensitive to changes in the conductance.

Journal Article↗