Abstract Detail

Poster Session

Bokati, Deepak [1], Herrera, Jose [2], Poudel, Ravin [3].

Characterization of root fungal endophyte community of cereal grains using 454 pyrosequencing techniques. .

Root associated fungal (RAF) endophyte symbiosis can play a vital role in development and performance of their host plant, and have been found to be an important component of the root biological community, especially in stressful and arid environments. We plan on comparing the fungal diversity in roots of common cereal grains [Triticum aestivum (wheat), and Zea mays subsp. mays (maize)] and their respective progenitors, [Triticum monococcum (wild wheat), and Zea mays subsp. parviglumis (teosinte)]. More precisely, we want to study how domestication of cereal grains has affected the diversity and structure of RAF endophytes colonizing the host plant. The root DNA was used to amplify the Internal Transcriber Spacer region of fungal ribosomal DNA, and the amplified region was sequenced using 454 pyrosequencing techniques. The sequences were then clustered into taxonomic groups (species, genus, family, order, class) at 96.5 percent similarity and blasted in the NCBI database for characterization. The Multi-dimensional scaling diagram generated by pairwise comparison of Morisita horn similarities values indicates that soil plays the primary effect in root fungal colonization and a secondary effect would be the plant host, even when the plant host is a conspecific. We are eager to find whether common RAF endophytes that inhabit the roots of grasses in arid environments also inhabit roots of progenitor plants, a finding that would suggest that these RAF endophytes might have helped the progenitor plants to mitigate some environmental stress during the course of evolution. 

1 - Truman State University, Biology, 100 E Normal, MG 2004, kirksville, Missouri, 63501, United States
2 - Western New Mexico University, Biology
3 - Kansas State University, Plant pathology

Keywords:
Fungal Endophyte
Cereal grains.

Presentation Type: Offered Paper - Poster
Session: P6
Location: Lincoln Room/Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center
Date: Tuesday, June 10th, 2014
Time: 8:00 PM
Number: P6001
Abstract ID:185
Candidate for Awards:None