MICROBIAL STUDY OF THE PHYLLOSPHERE OF AQUATIC AND TERRESTIAL PLANTS
Abstract
The term phyllosphere was first introduced by a plant pathologist, Last F. T. in 2001. The external surface of the leaf, as an environment for microorganisms has been termed phyllosphere by analogy with the rhizosphere of roots and the term has been accepted (Ruinen, 1961). For instance, it showed that the fungal communities growing on the leaves of pasture plants (Di Menna, 1959) and tropical trees (Ruinen, 1963) are dominated by basidiomycetous yeasts belonging to the genus Cryptococcus, followed by Rhodotorula and Sporobolomyces. Almost all plants tissues harbour microorganisms. Plant leaves do not escape the rule and interact with a multitude of microbial species. Microbiologists and plant pathologists have studied this microbial habitat, termed the phyllosphere, since the mid-1950s, mostly because some microorganisms are pathogens and threaten plant health whereas others improve plant performance.
Full-Text Access Notice
In accordance with the NERD Policy on promoting peer-reviewed publication, public access to the full text of a project, thesis or dissertation is restricted for three years, allowing the author and supervisors sufficient time to pursue peer-reviewed publication.
During this period, researchers with legitimate academic or research purposes may request authorisation directly from the author to enable NERD to release the indexed full texts of the work using the form below.