Articles
Microbes beneficial to cranberry plants
Article number
1440_26
Pages
185 – 192
Language
English
Abstract
Most plants are associated with microbes, mostly bacteria and fungi, that may live on the plant surface or inside plant cells.
Certain microbial symbionts assist in defending their host plant against pathogens (biocontrol) or improve its nutrient supply (biofertilization). Previous studies of cranberry-associated fungi examined predominantly pathogens.
To investigate cranberry symbionts with biocontrol and biofertilization potential, we isolated a large collection of fungi that colonize cranberry plants grown in Quebec (Canada). Fungi that showed plant growth promotion and/or pathogen suppression in microbiological and greenhouse experiments were selected for genome and transcriptome sequencing.
My thesis project focused on one of the fungal symbionts called Endophytic Champignon 4 (EC4), which stimulates the growth of cranberry plantlets.
EC4 also inhibits the growth of a broad range of pathogenic microbes attacking cranberry and blueberry.
Specifically, under greenhouse conditions, EC4 reduces the infection by Diaporthe sp., a notorious cranberry pathogen causing dieback of shoots and fruit rot.
Genome and transcriptome analysis showed that EC4 expresses genes involved in mineral uptake and transport, which are likely responsible for promoting the growth of its host.
Our analyses also revealed that the EC4 genome encodes genes for cell wall degrading enzymes and antifungal compounds.
Interestingly, these genes are selectively expressed in the presence of the pathogen, which strongly indicates that they are involved in biocontrol.
Farmers are increasingly interested in using biofertilizers and biocontrol agents in agriculture instead of chemical fertilizers and pesticides that negatively impact the environment.
Field trials with EC4 are underway in Quebec, in collaboration with the cranberry producers Atoka, Pampev, Gillivert, and Transport Gaston Nadeau.
Knowledge gained in our study has the potential to advance sustainable agriculture.
Certain microbial symbionts assist in defending their host plant against pathogens (biocontrol) or improve its nutrient supply (biofertilization). Previous studies of cranberry-associated fungi examined predominantly pathogens.
To investigate cranberry symbionts with biocontrol and biofertilization potential, we isolated a large collection of fungi that colonize cranberry plants grown in Quebec (Canada). Fungi that showed plant growth promotion and/or pathogen suppression in microbiological and greenhouse experiments were selected for genome and transcriptome sequencing.
My thesis project focused on one of the fungal symbionts called Endophytic Champignon 4 (EC4), which stimulates the growth of cranberry plantlets.
EC4 also inhibits the growth of a broad range of pathogenic microbes attacking cranberry and blueberry.
Specifically, under greenhouse conditions, EC4 reduces the infection by Diaporthe sp., a notorious cranberry pathogen causing dieback of shoots and fruit rot.
Genome and transcriptome analysis showed that EC4 expresses genes involved in mineral uptake and transport, which are likely responsible for promoting the growth of its host.
Our analyses also revealed that the EC4 genome encodes genes for cell wall degrading enzymes and antifungal compounds.
Interestingly, these genes are selectively expressed in the presence of the pathogen, which strongly indicates that they are involved in biocontrol.
Farmers are increasingly interested in using biofertilizers and biocontrol agents in agriculture instead of chemical fertilizers and pesticides that negatively impact the environment.
Field trials with EC4 are underway in Quebec, in collaboration with the cranberry producers Atoka, Pampev, Gillivert, and Transport Gaston Nadeau.
Knowledge gained in our study has the potential to advance sustainable agriculture.
Publication
Authors
B.C. Thimmappa, L.N. Salhi, L. Forget, M. Sarrasin, P.B. Villalobos, M. Turcotte, F.B. Lang, G. Burger
Keywords
biocontrol, biofertilization, Codinaeella sp., Diaporthe vaccinii, endophyte, sustainable agriculture, Vaccinium macrocarpon Aiton (American cranberry)
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