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Burkholderia terrae BS001 Migrates Proficiently with Diverse Fungal Hosts through Soil and Provides Protection from Antifungal Agents

Summary

This research reveals how certain soil bacteria can ‘hitchhike’ along fungal networks in soil and provide protection to fungi against harmful compounds. This discovery has important implications for understanding soil ecosystems and potential agricultural applications. Impacts on everyday life: – Improved understanding of how beneficial soil microorganisms interact could lead to better agricultural practices – Potential development of more effective biological control agents for plant diseases – Better strategies for soil remediation and ecosystem restoration – Insights into protecting beneficial fungi in agricultural settings – Applications in developing more sustainable farming methods

Background

Soil bacteria can benefit from co-occurring soil fungi in respect of the acquisition of carbonaceous nutrients released by fungal hyphae and the access to novel territories in soil. Previous research has shown that certain Burkholderia strains are enriched in fungal-affected soil habitats and may constitute key protagonists of fungal-associated bacterial groups.

Objective

To investigate the capacity of the mycosphere-isolated bacterium Burkholderia terrae BS001 to comigrate through soil along with hyphae of various soil fungi, and examine potential protective effects provided by the bacteria to their fungal hosts against antagonistic agents.

Results

Burkholderia terrae BS001 successfully migrated along the hyphae of six out of seven tested fungi, with population densities ranging from 10^3 to >10^8 CFU/g dry soil at hyphal migration fronts. The bacteria formed biofilm-like cell layers or agglomerates on fungal surfaces. BS001 provided significant protection to several fungi against antifungal agents, including cycloheximide and P. fluorescens CHA0 metabolites.

Conclusion

Burkholderia terrae BS001 demonstrates a broad capacity to migrate along diverse fungal hosts through soil and provides protection against antifungal agents. The interaction appears to be mutualistic rather than commensalistic, with the bacteria potentially forming protective barriers around fungal hyphae. This has implications for understanding soil microbial interactions and potential applications in biocontrol.
  • Published in:Frontiers in Microbiology,
  • Study Type:Experimental Laboratory Study,
  • Source: 10.3389/fmicb.2014.00598
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