Cultivar-specificity of bacterial and stramenopile communitiesin the rhizosphere of Olea europaea

Abstract: The rhizosphere represents the interface between plant roots and surrounding soil witha highly active microbiota. The structure of associated microbial communities is affected bymultiple factors including plant species and plant age but also soil characteristics and climateconditions. Here, we studied the influence of the olive variety on the bacterial community as wellas on the presence of stramenopiles. Total DNA from rhizosphere samples of three Spanish andone Italian cultivar of Olea europaea from the same field site were extracted. Using single strandconformation polymorphism (SSCP) analyses, specific community profiles were generated andinterpreted. Results revealed a cultivar-specific association with bacteria whereas thestramenopiles community appeared to be independent from the cultivar.