Growth and Developmental Enhancement of Poplar (<em>Populus Deltoides</em> X <em>Nigra</em> Op-367) by Associated Endophytic Bacteria

<p>The ability to produce biomass for biofuel on a large scale is one way in which the United States will be able to become more energy independent. With controversy surrounding the use of corn for bioethanol, more novel methods for biofuel production must be found. Historically, crude oil prices have been relatively inexpensive but unstable leading the United States to becoming ever increasingly dependent on foreign oil sources. In order to decrease these acts, the United States should and can begin to produce its own sources of fuel on land that is already available.</p> <p>To be able to produce biomass for biofuel on the scales needed, fast growing, non-edible woody-plants should be considered. Here, we report on the inoculation of a woody-plant species Poplar (<em>Populus deltoides</em> x <em>nigra</em> OP367) with 7 different endophytic bacterial strains. When inoculated with <em>Enterobacter</em> sp. 638, poplar has significant growth over the control poplars while inoculation with <em>Stenotrophomonas maltophila</em> R551-3, <em>Serratia protemaculans</em> 568, <em>Methylobacterium populi</em> Bj001, <em>Burkholderia cepacia</em> Bu72, <em>Pseudomonas putida</em> W619, and <em>Cupriavidus metallidurans</em> CH34 either had no effect on growth or inhibitory growth. This finding could be the firststep in being able to increase growth of biomass feedstocks by natural means.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S.

Level thesis:degree_level

Campus Access Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Environmental Health Sciences

Year

2010

Author dc:creator

• Hoffman, Adam Spencer

Contributors dc:contributor

• Lee A. Newman

• Environmental Health
• Environmental Sciences
• Life Sciences
• Pharmacology, Toxicology and Environmental Health
• Physical Sciences and Mathematics
• Endophytic bactera
• Enterobacter sp. 638
• Growth Enhancement
• OP-367
• Poplar
• Volatile Organic Compounds

Statement dc:rights

• © 2010, Adam Spencer Hoffman

Repository record dc:identifier

https://scholarcommons.sc.edu/etd/188

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarcommons.sc.edu:etd-1189