The role of genetic variation in Zea mays response to beneficial endophytes

Abstract Growth-promoting endophytes have great potential to boost crop production and sustainability. There is, however, a lack of research on how differences in the plant host affect an endophyte’s ability promote growth. We set out quantify different maize genotypes respond specific growth-promoting endophytes. inoculated genetically diverse lines with three known beneficial endophytes: Herbaspirillum seropedicae (a Gram-negative bacteria), Burkholderia WP9 Serendipita vermifera Subsp. bescii Basidiomycota fungi). Maize seedlings were grown for 3 weeks under controlled watering limited nutrient conditions greenhouse assessed various growth-promotion phenotypes. found increase chlorophyll content (p = 0.02), height 0.012), root length 0.057), volume 0.044) significantly genotypes, while did not growth these conditions. increased 0.0041), 0.0004) shoot biomass 0.0046) mass promotion correlated (r 0.58, p 1.97e?09) measured fungal abundance. Although genetic variation by itself had strong effect phenotype, its interaction was weak, rarely produced consistent effects across genotypes. This genome-by-genome indicates that relationship between is complex, it may partly explain why many microbe-based stimulants fail translate from laboratory settings field. Detangling interactions will provide ripe area future studies understand best harness agriculture.