Ethylene induced nitrile and VOC synthesis by soil microbes; Improved root elongation & reduced risk of fungal infection in plants.
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Abstract
The scope of the project was to develop a method to induce soil microbes to inhibit fungal infection and improve root elongation. The study was randomized. Gladiolus bulbs selected for the study were visibly inspected to for viability and visible signs of infection. Two trials were conducted from Aug. 5th – Sept. 5th 2014 with 4 replicates per condition over a 7-d period in damp outdoor conditions in late summer. A mixed culture of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) were collected from soil surrounding the roots of young fruit bearing trees. Microbes were mixed with minimal media (no-carbon source), and cultured with an ethylene and used as potting soil. Bulbs planted in ethylene induced soil displayed 0% visible fungal growth, while 38% of bulbs grown in control conditions displayed some form of fungal growth and/or infection. Ethylene induced soil increased root length by 225% in bulbs in 7-d period. GC Mass Spectrophotometry data suggest ethylene may induce soil microbes to synthesize several VOCs including (ethanol, 3-methyl-1-butanol, pentanol) and esters (ethyl acetate), that may have synergistic benefits to lower the risk of fungal infection by soil mold, while nitrile compounds improve root elongation. The findings are preliminary, additional studies are required to understand the mechanism.
Cite this as
2019. Ethylene induced nitrile and VOC synthesis by soil microbes; Improved root elongation & reduced risk of fungal infection in plants. PeerJ Preprints 7:e543v2 https://doi.org/10.7287/peerj.preprints.543v2Author comment
The document includes additional data and images to support the previous preprint. Additional research is required to support a peer reviewed version of this manuscript.
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Competing Interests
Guenevere Perry and Diane Perry are employed by G&A Innovative Solutions, LLC. Research in the paper was filed for a patent, Perry, Guenevere Diane. "Hydrocarbons & heavy metals induce bio-catalyst to modify development process in seeds, seedlings, and plants." U.S. Patent Application No. 15/262,004
Author Contributions
Guenevere Perry conceived and designed the experiments, performed the experiments, analyzed the data, contributed reagents/materials/analysis tools, prepared figures and/or tables, authored or reviewed drafts of the paper, approved the final draft.
Diane Perry performed the experiments.
Patent Disclosures
The following patent dependencies were disclosed by the authors:
Perry, Guenevere Diane. "Hydrocarbons & heavy metals induce bio-catalyst to modify development process in seeds, seedlings, and plants." U.S. Patent Application No. 15/262,004
Data Deposition
The following information was supplied regarding data availability:
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Funding
The authors received no funding for this work.
