While a large number of studies aim at analyzing the microorganisms found in crops,
using either a classical microbiology approach or more novel, DNA-based techniques,
little is known on the selective forces affecting these microbial communities during
the process of domestication or if and how they shaped plant-associated microbes.
We are interested in elucidating how domestication has influenced bacteria and
fungi colonizing the grapevine endosphere, and how these modifications interfere
with plant physiology, growth and health.
We isolated microbial endophytes from V. vinifera subsp. sylvestris plants obtained
from different areas of Italy and analysed the isolates for important traits related to
interaction with the plant host, social behaviour, tolerance to antibiotics and their
production, biocontrol.
In addition, a DNA-dependent approach was adopted to fingerprint microbial
communities in wild grapevine plants and to compare theme to non-domesticated
plant. Automated Ribosomal Intergenic Spacer Analysis (ARISA) was used to assess
variability and identity of the non culturable microbial fauna. Both geographical
origin and plant genotype were considered.
The ability of some of these isolates to colonize domesticated grapevines was
investigated to assess their viability for reintroduction in cultivated grapevines
