Composition of the Microflora of Witloof Chicory Seeds

• Published in: Microbial ecology 1988-11, Vol.16 (3), p.339-348
• Main Authors: M. F. Van Outryve, V. Gosselé, F. Gosselé, Swings, J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Analysis of the immune response. Humoral and cellular immunity; Antifungals; Application programming interfaces; Arthrobacter; Bacteria; Bacterial plant pathogens; Biological and medical sciences; Erwinia; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Fundamental immunology; Fungi; Generalities. Techniques. Transmission, epidemiology, ecology. Antibacterial substances, control; Immunobiology; Microorganisms; Miscellaneous; Phytopathology. Animal pests. Plant and forest protection; Plants; Pseudomonas; Regulatory factors and their cellular receptors; Seeds
• ISSN: 0095-3628; 1432-184X
• DOI: 10.1007/BF02011705

The bacterial microflora of nine varieties of witloof chicory (Cichorium intybus L. var. foliosum Hegi) seeds was studied. The 184 isolates were characterized by protein profiles determined by SDS-protein polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the total cell proteins. Isolates with identical protein profiles were grouped into one fingerprint type. Sixty-seven fingerprint types were distinguished. Two quantitatively major fingerprint types, Erwinia herbicola and an arthrobacter, represented 52% of the total number of isolates and were found on different chicory varieties. The latter organism was inhibited at seed germination. Other isolates, i.e., Xanthomonas maltophilia, Pseudomonas paucimobilis, Agrobacterium radiobacter, Pseudomonas syringae, and a fluorescent Pseudomonas, were only occasionally found. A minority were gram-positive isolates, i.e., Bacillus sp., Streptomyces sp., and coryneforms. In vitro activity of the isolates was tested against five fungi. Isolates with strong antifungal activity were found among Erwinia herbicola and Bacillus sp.