Seaweed–microbial interactions: key functions of seaweed‐associated bacteria. Issue 2 (7th March 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Singh, Ravindra Pal; Reddy, C.R.K.
• Is Part Of: FEMS microbiology ecology. Volume 88:Issue 2(2014)
• Page Start: 213
• Page End: 230
• Publication Date: 2014-03-07
• Subjects: Microbial ecology -- Periodicals; Microbiology -- Periodicals; 579.17
• DOI: 10.1111/1574-6941.12297
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0168-6496

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="fem12297-abs-0001"> <title>Abstract</title> <p>Seaweed‐associated bacteria play a crucial role in morphogenesis and growth of seaweeds (macroalgae) in direct and/or indirect ways. Bacterial communities belonging to the phyla <italic>Proteobacteria</italic> and <italic>Firmicutes</italic> are generally the most abundant on seaweed surfaces. Associated bacterial communities produce plant growth‐promoting substances, quorum sensing signalling molecules, bioactive compounds and other effective molecules that are responsible for normal morphology, development and growth of seaweeds. Also, bioactive molecules of associated bacteria determine the presence of other bacterial strains on seaweeds and protect the host from harmful entities present in the pelagic realm. The ecological functions of cross‐domain signalling between seaweeds and bacteria have been reported as liberation of carpospores in the red seaweeds and settlement of zoospores in the green seaweeds. In the present review, the role of extracellular polymeric substances in growth and settlement of seaweeds spores is also highlighted. To elucidate the functional roles of associated bacteria and the molecular mechanisms underlying reported ecological phenomena in seaweeds requires a combined ecological, microbiological and biochemical approach.</p> </abstract>