Beneficial plant microorganisms affect the endophytic bacterial communities of durum wheat roots as detected by different molecular approaches

Rhizosphere harbours high numbers of diverse Plant Growth Promoting (PGP) microbial communities, including arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi (AMF, Glomeromycota) and their associated bacteria, which positively interact with plant roots. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB), isolated from the rhizosphere of different plant species, have been proposed as PGP bacteria, given their ability to increase nutrient availability from organic material and to protect plant from biotic and abiotic stresses. This study aimed at characterizing the endophytic bacterial communities living in durum wheat roots, as affected by wheat cultivar and presence/absence of AMF and LAB.