Study - Helpful "Wild" Bacteria for Seeds
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I'm evading a power outage due to a storm. This link caught my attention, leading me to a complete study that even includes a small video!
Title: "Domestication and the return of a beneficial cannabis seed microorganism, rediscovered in less domesticated genotypes."
Background: Seeds do more than just carry plant embryos; they also host complex microbial communities. Their transmission through plant generations can have a significant effect on the ecological and evolutionary dynamics of plant-microbe symbiosis. The process of plant domestication can potentially affect genes involved in these interactions. However, the impact of breeding on the seed microbiome is not well-studied. Cannabis, though a high-value crop, has not been subject to many of the agricultural innovations used in other crops over the past century. This study is a comprehensive analysis of the bacterial seed microbiome of Cannabis across varying degrees of domestication, and explores the potential of seed-associated endophytes to promote plant growth under both controlled and field conditions.
Results: The study of cannabis seed endophyte composition and diversity across 46 plant genotypes revealed 813 different bacterial genera. These were primarily Gammaproteobacteria, Bacilli, Actinobacteria, and Alphaproteobacteria, with a genotype-specific microbiome. The influence of domestication and breeding on microbial assembly showed greater bacterial diversity in genotypes with less domestication and a more consistent bacterial composition due to line development. Furthermore, a seed bacterial isolate (Bacillus frigoritolerans C1141) associated with less domesticated genotypes, along with genes related to bio-fertilization, bioremediation, and phytohormone production, increased plant growth by 42.3% at harvest time, under field conditions.
Conclusion: This study fills important knowledge gaps related to the assembly of the cannabis seed-endophytic microbiome. It shows that cannabis breeding is associated with changes in seed microbial communities, which may have resulted in the loss of functionally significant bacteria. These findings underscore the importance of preserving seed microbiomes in plant breeding to promote sustainable health and growth enhancement in cannabis. A video abstract is included.
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This is a high-resolution image taken through a transmission electron microscope, showcasing a cross-section of a soybean root nodule. The photograph reveals the symbiotic relationship between the soybean roots and a nitrogen-fixing bacteria called Bradyrhizobium japonicum. The image offers a close-up view of a single bacteroid, a bacteria-like or modified bacterial cell, residing within their symbiosomes. Additionally, it provides a glimpse of the endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, and cell wall.
The introductory text: "A Conceptual Framework for Understanding the Origins, Composition, and Changes of Bacterial Endophytes"
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Darn, I remember when I could comprehend topics like this. So, from what I gather, reduced domestication boosts plant growth? Does that mean if we refrain from cultivating cannabis seeds as a product or try to improve their yield or strength through cross-breeding, they'll thrive more? That doesn't seem right, so what exactly is the point being made?