Methods for observing microbial biofilms directly on leaf surfaces and recovering them for isolation of culturable microorganisms

Article Abstract:

Epifluorescence microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy were utilized to examine microbial biofilms directly on leaf surfaces. Biofilms that were approximately 20 microns in depth and up to 1 mm in length and that contained a large number of exopolymeric matrices, diverse morphotypes of microorganisms and debris, were investigated. An additional method was designed for recovering individual biofilms or portions of single biofilms from leaves and disintegrate them for isolation of the culturable microorganisms they contained.

Usage, Leaves, Electron microscopy, Microbial populations

A technique to quantify the population size and composition of the biofilm component in communities of bacteria in the phyllosphere

Article Abstract:

A study was conducted to estimate the sizes of bacteria populations within biofilms on leaf surfaces using a combination of leaf washing, filtration and ultrasonication. Filtrations were carried out on autoclavable plastic filter supports while microbial suspensions were treated with ultrasound for various times and amplitudes. Experimental results indicated that the technique supported the quantification of the dynamics of bacterial populations.

Bacteria, Microbial growth

Population sizes, immigration, and growth of epiphytic bacteria on leaves of different ages and positions of field-grown endive (Cichorium endivia var. latifolia)

Article Abstract:

Outer leaves of broad-leaved endive plants have higher fluorescent and pectolytic epiphytic bacterial population densities than inner leaves. The frequency distribution and variability of bacterial population size are influenced by the age of the leaves. Immigration of fluorescent bacteria on new leaves is inhibited by adjacent leaves. Leaves of younger plants have higher bacterial population sizes.

Analysis, Bacterial growth, Epiphytes, Belgian endive