Diversity and spatial distribution of endophytes community composition in noni (Morinda citrifoliaL.)

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the endophytic microbial communities in noni (Morinda citrifolia L.) whole plants, including the roots, branches, leaves, seeds and fruits. By using microbial culture-dependent methods, a research on the diversity of endophytic bacterial communities in Noni samples was conducted in this study. Partial sequence analysis of 16S rDNA, 26S rDNA D1/D2 region and ITS rDNA was used for the endophytic strains identification. The results indicated that 6 strains of bacteria were highly similar with 13 known genera which belong to α-Proteobacteria, β-Proteobacteria, γ-Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Actinobacteria and Bacteroidetes. The 13 genera were Asaia sp., Methylobacterium sp., Rhizobium sp., Sphingomonas sp., Burkholderia sp., Enterobacter sp., Pantoea sp., Bacillus sp., Brachybacterium sp., Curtobacterium sp., Microbacterium sp., Streptomyces sp. and Flavobacterium sp., respectively. Further, 12 strains of yeast were highly similar with genus of Cryptococcus sp., Rhodotorula sp. belonging to Basidiomycota and 13 strains of mould were in a high similarity with genera Talaromyces sp., Cladosporium sp., Chaetomium sp. and Mucor sp. belonging to Ascomycota. According to available literature, this was the first investigational report in the world on the diversity of endophytic communities in noni plants. This study has laid a solid foundation for further study in beneficial microbes, which would help to improve the growth and efficacy of noni component production.