Biology subjects

Reis, R. J. A.

Publications and source records attributed to Reis, R. J. A..

2 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2020

Mutualistic interaction with Trichoderma longibrachiatum UENF-F476 boosted plant growth-promotion of Serratia marcescens UENF-22GI

BACKGROUNDA plethora of bacteria-fungal interactions occurs on the extended fungal hyphae network in soil. The mycosphere of saprophytic fungi can serve as a bacterial niche boosting their survival, dispersion, and activity. Such ecological concepts can be converted to bioproducts for sustainable agriculture. Accordingly, we tested the hypothesis that the well-characterized beneficial bacterium Serratia marcescens UENF-22GI can enhance their plant growth-promoting properties by combination with Trichoderma longibrachiatum UENF-F476. RESULTSThe colony and cell interactions demonstrated S. marcescens and T. longibrachiatum compatibility. Bacteria cells were able to attach, forming aggregates-biofilms and migrates through fungal hyphae network. Bacterial migration through growing hyphae was confirmed using two-compartment Petri dishes assay. Fungal inoculation increased the bacteria survival rates into the vermicompost substrate over the experimental time. Also, in vitro indolic compound, phosphorus, and zinc solubilization bacteria activities increased in the presence of the fungus. In line with the ecophysiological bacteria fitness, tomato and papaya plantlet growth was boosted by bacteria-fungi combination applied under plant nursery conditions. CONCLUSIONMutualistic interaction between mycosphere-colonizing bacterium S. marcescens UENF-22GI and the saprotrophic fungi T. longibrachiatum UENF-F467 increased the ecological fitness of the bacteria alongside with beneficial potential for plant growth. A proper combination and delivery of compatible beneficial bacteria-fungus represent an open avenue for biological enrichment of plant substrates technologies in agricultural systems.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2018

Genome sequencing and assessment of plant growth-promoting properties of a Serratia marcescens strain isolated from vermicompost

Plant-bacteria associations have been extensively studied for their potential in increasing crop productivity in a sustainable manner. Serratia marcescens is a Gram-negative species found in a wide range of environments, including soil. Here we describe the genome sequencing and assessment of plant-growth promoting abilities of S. marcescens UENF-22GI (SMU), a strain isolated from mature cattle manure vermicompost. In vitro, SMU is able to solubilize P and Zn, to produce indole compounds (likely IAA), to colonize hyphae and counter the growth of two phytopathogenic fungi. Inoculation of maize with SMU remarkably increased seedling growth and biomass under greenhouse conditions. The SMU genome has 5 Mb, assembled in 17 scaffolds comprising 4,662 genes (4,528 are protein-coding). No plasmids were identified. SMU is phylogenetically placed within a clade comprised almost exclusively of environmental strains. We were able to find the genes and operons that are likely responsible for all the interesting plant-growth promoting features that were experimentally described. Genes involved other interesting properties that were not experimentally tested (e.g. tolerance against metal contamination) were also identified. The SMU genome harbors a horizontally-transferred genomic island involved in antibiotic production, antibiotic resistance, and anti-phage defense via a novel ADP-ribosyltransferase-like protein and possible modification of DNA by a deazapurine base, which likely contributes to the SMU competitiveness against other bacteria. Collectively, our results suggest that S. marcescens UENF-22GI is a strong candidate to be used in the enrichment of substrates for plant growth promotion or as part of bioinoculants for Agriculture.

microbiology↗