Seed microbial community characterisation and isolation from three species common to fire-prone Australia.

Microorganisms called endophytes are passed from parent plants to their offspring and play significant roles in plant growth and development. In recent years, endophytes have gained attention for their ability to help plants withstand stress and have been used in revegetation efforts. However, there is still a lack of understanding about seed endophytes in ecosystems prone to fire, where the dormancy and germination of seeds are affected by various factors that can impact the persistence of plant populations. This gap in knowledge hinders the ability to predict how plant populations will respond to selective pressures and stress caused by climate change. To address this, the present study focused on characterizing seed-borne endophytes in order to understand their potential to enhance germination and growth under stress. Mixed and pure cultures of endophytes were isolated from the fire-prone species Anigozanthos manglesii, Haemodorum planifolium and Haemodorum spicatum, all of which are native to Banksia woodlands in Western Australia and belong to the Haemodoraceae family. The bacterial community composition and diversity of each species were also analyzed using next-generation sequencing targeting the 16S rRNA. This study is unique in examining seed endophytes in fire-prone species and provides a foundation for future research on the relationship between seed microbiome composition, germination success, and seedling vigour.