Variation of Phyllosphere Microflora of Different Rice Varieties in Sri Lanka and its Relationship to Leaf Anatomical and Physiological Characters |
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| Authors: | D M De Costa R M P S Rathnayake W A J M De Costa W M D Kumari D M N Dissanayake |
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| Institution: | Authors' addresses: Dr D. M. De Costa (corresponding author;e-mail: ), Ms R. M. P. S. Rathnayake and Ms W. M. D. Kumari, Department of Agricultural Biology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya 20400, Sri Lanka;Prof. W. A. J. M. De Costa, Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya 20400, Sri Lanka;Dr D. M. N. Dissanayake, Rice Research and Development Institute, Ibbagamuwa, Sri Lanka |
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| Abstract: | Anatomical and physiological characters of the leaf surface and its physico‐chemical environment substantially influence the density and diversity of phyllosphere‐inhabiting microorganisms, which may include natural antagonists of important pathogens. The objective of this investigation was to quantify the phyllosphere (i.e. leaf surface) microbial population in a range of rice varieties grown in Sri Lanka and to identify the leaf anatomical and physiological characters that determine the density and diversity of phyllosphere microbes. Fifteen rice varieties including both traditional and new high‐yielding varieties were used in a planthouse experiment and a field experiment in two consecutive seasons to quantify the phyllosphere microbial population and measure leaf characters that may influence it. There were highly significant intervarietal variations in the density and diversity of epiphytic bacterial, fungal and total microbial populations under both planthouse and field conditions. However, there was no difference between traditional and new, high‐yielding varieties in their capacity to harbour epiphytic microbes in the phyllosphere. Total microbial density (TMD) under both conditions showed positive correlations with leaf hair density, stomatal density and transpiration rate. Under planthouse conditions, TMD was also positively correlated with leaf hair length and negatively correlated with leaf temperature. These correlations can be explained in terms of providing favourable microsites on the phylloplane for epiphytic microbial growth. |
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| Keywords: | anatomical characters epiphytic microflora leaf hair density phyllosphere physiological characters rice |
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