Identification of endophytic bactéria from micropropagated yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius) crowing under autotrophic and Heterotrophic systems.

Yacon, Smallanthus sonchifolius, an Andean species. is a rich source of dictetíc oligofructans with low glucose content. proteins and phenolic compounds. These constituents have shown efficacy in the prevention of diet-related ehronic diseases, including gastroin-testinal disorders and diabetes |1,2|. Yacon is part of a research program at the National Center for Natural Products Research (NCNPR) and University of Mississippi Field Station to develop new alternative root crops for Mississippi while attempting to im-prove the diet of low incorne families. Yacon can be easily propa-gated by cultings. Virus and nematode infections have been re-ported on plants propagated by cuttings in Brazil. a country that hás adopted Yacon as specialty crop [3|. We have developed two culture systems. autotrophic and heterotrophic, to produce healthy plants. Herem we describe the presence of endophytic bactéria m micropropagated Yacon. In auxin free media, new roots were induced. Overa 15day period. the average root mduction per expiam was 5.45 to 8.75 under autotrophic and heterotrophic cul-tures, respectively. Root lenglh vaned between 3 and 60mrn. The presence of root hairs and lateral roots was noticed only in auto-trophic condilions. These beneficiai bactéria were identified and chemically ctiaracterized. Acknowledgement: This research work was partially supported by the USDA/ARS Cooperative Research Agreement No. 58-6408-2-009. Referentes; |1) Terada S. et ai. (2006] Yakugaku Zasshi 126(8): 665-669. (2| Valentová K. Ulri-chová j. (2003) Biomedical Papers 147: 119-130. [3| Mogor C. et ai, (2003) Acta Horticulturea 597: 311 -313.