Rock-degrading endophytic bacteria in cacti

摘要: A plant–bacterium association of the cardon cactus (Pachycereus pringlei) and endophytic bacteria promotes establishment seedlings growth on igneous rocks without soil. These weather several rock types minerals, unbind significant amounts useful minerals for plants from rocks, fix in vitro N2, produce volatile non-volatile organic acids, reduce particle size to form mineral This study revealed presence large populations culturable inside seeds extracted wild plants, guano bats feeding fruit, growing these seeds, pulp small, mature are comparable some agricultural crops. The dominant endophytes were isolates genera Bacillus spp., Klebsiella Staphylococcus Pseudomonas spp. Based partial sequencing 16s rRNA gene, isolated strains had low similarity known genera. However, have higher molecular among obtained roots, bacterial rhizoplane. Seedlings developed with contain similar species their shoots, possibly derived seeds. shows involvement weathering by cacti a hot, subtropical desert possible contribution primary colonization barren rock. proposes that capable acquiring diverse may give them an evolutionary advantage gain foothold highly uncompromising terrain.