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The effect of rhizobacterial volatile organic compounds on growth, modulation of gene expression, and Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated genetic transformation in Solanum tuberosum
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Date
2021-01-08
Authors
Heenan-Daly, Darren
Journal Title
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Publisher
University College Cork
Published Version
Abstract
The need for broad-ranging sustainable solutions in agriculture are needed now more than ever and potato, the third most important food crop in the world, represents an ideal crop plant in which to test these solutions. An isolation campaign from potato soils in both organic and conventional crops across the Southern coast of Ireland resulted in the identification of 21 isolates which were biochemically screened in vitro for plant growth-promoting (PGP) activities. Among these activities, the production of volatile organic compounds was of particular focus, the constituents of volatile blends from five of these native Irish potato soil isolates from the genera Bacillus, Pseudomonas and Serratia were identified using GC/MS, along with a commercial Bacillus isolate. The effect of these volatiles on plant growth was investigated using a novel experimental setup for plant-bacterial co-cultivation through the use of Microbox® growth chambers. Plant growth promotion was observed after exposure to all isolates volatile blends and varied depending on isolate and microbial growth medium, the strongest effect was observed from Pseudomonas and Bacillus isolates. Transcriptomic analysis in plants treated with Bacillus and Serratia volatiles revealed the upregulation of genes associated with photosynthesis and immune attenuation, and down regulation of a suite of defence genes. Genetic transformation mediated by Agrobacterium tumefaciens was also increased as a result of this growth system. This study has highlighted that volatile-mediated interactions between bacteria and plants can be used across organic, conventional and biotechnological settings to improve food security and further our understanding of the role of bacteria in sustainable food production.
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Keywords
Rhizobacteria , Sustainability , Solanum tuberosum , Volatile organic compounds , Agrobacterium tumefaciens genetic transformation , Plant-microbe interactions
Citation
Heenan-Daly, D. 2021. The effect of rhizobacterial volatile organic compounds on growth, modulation of gene expression, and Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated genetic transformation in Solanum tuberosum. PhD Thesis, University College Cork.