“Cross talk” between bacteria associated with the roots of canola and wheat

Abstract

Phenazine antibiotics are produced by some soil bacteria and suppress growth of many fungi that cause plant diseases. N-acetyl-homoserine lactone (AHL) is a type of signal molecule that can activate the production of phenazine in bacteria. This response is referred to as “cross talk.” In this study, bacteria from the rhizosphere and root interior of canola and wheat were screened for AHL production. Our results show that approximately 4% of the isolates produced AHL. Pseudomonas corrugata and P. savastanoi were the most common bacteria associated with canola that produced AHL, whereas Enterobacter agglomerans and P. corrugata were the most common in wheat. This study shows that there is a small community of AHL-producing bacteria associated with the roots of both canola and wheat, suggesting that “cross-talking” between bacteria in roots is possible.