Bacterial endophytes from seeds of Norway spruce (Picea abies L. Karst).

Endophytic bacteria from wooden plants and especially seed-associated endophytes are not well studied. Fresh seeds collected from four Norway spruce trees (Picea abies) from different locations in the Slovene subalpine region were surface-sterilised and dissected into a seed coat, embryo and endosperm. The presence of endophytes was detected by culturing methods and by direct amplification of the eubacterial 16S rDNA gene. Both approaches identified bacteria from genera Pseudomonas and Rahnella in the Norway spruce seeds. Both are known plant-associated bacteria with growth-promoting properties and biological control potential. We suggest that plant seeds could serve as a vector for transmission of beneficial bacteria.