Culturable seed, root and rhizospheric bacterial diversity of the various sugar beet hybrids

Abstract

BACKGROUND The plant microbiome has been recognized for direct or indirect plant growth capacities, protection of host plants against phytopathogens and ability to increase plant’s tolerance to abiotic stresses. OBJECTIVES Determination of endophytic bacterial communities in the roots and seeds of various sugar beet hybrids, including their surrounding rhizosphere in order to better understand sugar beet bacteriome and to explore it’s plant-growth-promoting abilities. METHODS Root, seed and rhizosphere samples from five different sugar beet hybrids (Eduarda, Tibor, Tajfun, Koala and Cercospora-resistant) were used for the isolation of plant-associated bacteria. Different formulations of nitrogen-free selective media were used for the isolation of diazotrophic bacteria.