Early Growth Stage Root-Associated Endophytes Isolated From Ulex Europaeus L. (Fabaceae) Colonizing Rural Areas in South-Central Chile

Abstract Background and aimsUlex europaeus L. (Fabaceae), commonly known as gorse, is an invasive woody shrub that easily grows in several locations across the world. However, little is known about the interactions of this invasive species with soil microorganisms and how these microbes can promote reaching rapid grow-rates at early stages of development. We aim at characterizing the endophytic fungal and bacterial microbiota associated with roots of early growth stage U. europaeus colonizing native ecosystems in south-central Chile.MethodsRoot-associated microorganisms were isolated and identified using standard molecular techniques. Furthermore, plant growth-promoting traits were studied and biocontrol activity was assessed to characterize the early growth stage root-associated taxa. ResultsFour endophytic fungi belonging to Sordariomycetes and twelve bacteria assigned to Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria were identified as the principal early growth stage root-endophytic taxa. Plant growth-promoting traits were detected in several isolates such as Fusarium acuminatum and Rhodococcus sp. Besides, some of the isolates such as Rhodococcus sp. and Purpureocillium lilacinum showed biocontrol potential against phytopathogenic fungi. ConclusionsOur results demonstrate that early growth stage root endophytic taxa associated with U. europaeus have beneficial plant growth-promoting traits that can contribute with the rapid growth-rates of the shrub. The interaction with a set of beneficial microorganisms is an additional mechanism to explain the ability of U. europaeus for colonizing in various ecosystems.