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Abstract Detail



Recent Topics Posters

Scott, Maryanne [1], Thibert, Stephanie [1], Charron, Jean-Benoit [1], Jabaji, Suha [1].

Identification and Characterization of Endophytes from Industrial Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.).

Endophytes are organisms that asymptomatically internalize living plant tissues of agricultural and industrial crops in addition to many native plant species. They have been shown to have several beneficial effects in their host plants including plant growth promotion (PGP), improved nutrient acquisition and suppression of plant pathogens. The production of novel compounds by endophytes including hormones and antibiotics has been recognized. Industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.), is a multi-use crop; grown for purposes ranging from human consumption grade, high-protein seed and oils to industrial uses as materials for automotive parts, textiles and construction. Here, we sought to discover and characterize endophytic bacteria and fungi from C. sativa to use for yield improvement or as biocontrol agents in hemp and other crops. A total of 137 bacterial and 53 fungal strains were isolated from within leaf, petiole and seed embryo tissues of three field-grown hemp varieties over a period of 3 months in 2013, and identified using rDNA sequence query. The most frequently occurring putative bacterial endophytes belonged to the Pseudomonadaceae, Enterobacteriaceae and Staphylococcaceae families. All fungal isolates are dikaryotic and most belonged to the Dothioraceae, Pleosporaceae and Davidiellaceae families. Additionally, preliminary studies have suggested that a few fungal isolates may possess interhyphal bacteria (IHB), another novel lifestyle that has been recently identified.  IHB live within the hyphae of fungal endophytes and synergistically confer increased production of plant growth promoting compounds when grown with their fungal host. The number and types of endophytes by tissue type varied and isolation frequency increased over the growing season for bacterial isolates while the number of isolated fungi remained stable across sampling dates in the season. This carries implications for how hemp may be colonised.  Candidate isolates were characterized for the production of key enzymes of interest: cellulases, phosphatases, siderophores, indole acetic acid (IAA), ligninases and hydrogen cyanide (HCN). Based upon these results, the best performing 4 bacterial isolates, belonging to the Pseudomonadaceae family, were screened for antagonistic activity against fungi as well as their plant growth promoting (PGP) activities. Three of the four strains showed excellent antagonistic activity against selective plant pathogenic fungi, indicating that antimicrobial compounds may be implicated in fungal inhibition. This work represents the first report on the occurrence and richness of microbial endophytes in industrial hemp. Through this project we hope to offer environmentally sustainable methods to benefit both hemp and other crop plants grown here in Québec and elsewhere in the future.


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1 - McGill University, Department of Plant Science, 21111 Lakeshore Road , Ste. Anne de Bellevue, QC, H9X 3V9, Canada

Keywords:
Endophytes
fungal endophyte
Bacterial Endophyte
Plant growth-promoting Microorganisms
biological control
Enzymatic Characterization
Industrial Hemp
Cannabis sativa L..

Presentation Type: Recent Topics Poster
Session: P
Location: Hall D/The Shaw Conference Centre
Date: Monday, July 27th, 2015
Time: 5:30 PM
Number: PRT016
Abstract ID:1799
Candidate for Awards:None


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