Pulsed electric field treatment of seeds modulates the endophytic bacterial community and promotes early growth of roots in buckwheat

Abstract

Abstract Background Endophytic bacteria provide nutrients and stimulate systemic resistance during seed germination and plant growth and development, and their functional properties in combating various stresses make them a powerful tool in green agricultural production. In this paper we explored the function of the endophyte community in buckwheat seeds in order to provide a theoretical basis for the application and scientific research of endophytes in buckwheat cultivation. We used pulsed electric field (PEF) technology to treat buckwheat seeds, monitored the effect of high-voltage pulse treatment on buckwheat seed germination, and analyzed the diversity of endophytic bacteria in buckwheat seeds using the amplicon sequencing method. Results PEF treatment promoted root development during buckwheat seed germination. A total of 350 Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs) were obtained from seed samples by 16SrRNA amplicon sequencing technology that comprised 10 phyla, 21 classes, 49 orders, 81 families and 103 genera. Additionally, PEF treatment also caused a significant decrease in the abundance of Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria, and Bacteroidetes. The abundance of 28 genera changed significantly as well: 11 genera were more abundant, and 17 were less abundant. The number of associated network edges was reduced from 980 to 117, the number of positive correlations decreased by 89.1%, and the number of negative correlations decreased by 86.6%. Conclusion We found that PEF treatment promoted early root development in buckwheat and was able to alter the seed endophytic bacterial community. The increased abundance of Methylobacter, Micrococcus, Nocardia, and Sphingomonas in the buckwheat seeds had a positive effect on seed germination.