Functional Characterization of Andropogon gerardii (Big Bluestem) Fungal Endophytes and Their Relationship with Panicum virgatum (Switchgrass).

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Gee, Lilianne

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University of Guelph

Abstract

Co-evolution between the soil microbial community and plants has led to some microorganisms becoming incorporated within plant tissues, known as endophytes. Seed-borne endophytes are unique, as this point of the life-cycle represents the beginning of a life-long relationship between symbiotic partners. In this Thesis, I investigate whether fungal endophytes belonging to one host species can be transferred for the benefit of another host species in the same family. More than 400 fungal endophyte strains were isolated from seeds harvested from 24 Andropogon gerardii plants grown in a low-resource system. Beneficial properties were screened for 110 morphotypes to select candidates for further characterization and greenhouse growth experiments in Panicum virgatum. It was found that individual endophytes can influence the biomass of a plant, and additionally, proteome analysis revealed a variety of proteins that may provide pathways for endophyte-plant interactions. Overall, an understanding of endophytic symbioses may provide insight to their complex adaptability with plants.

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Endophytes, Switchgrass, Proteomics, Big Bluestem

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