The microbiota of avocado floral nectar inhibits pathogens and improves plant fitness.
López-García CM, Rodríguez-Gómez IA, Pérez-Bautista Y, Villanueva-Espino LA, Molina Torres M
Crop Improvement
PubMedThe avocados at your grocery store are under constant threat from devastating fungal diseases, and the bees that pollinate them face their own deadly pathogens—but tiny microbes living inside avocado flowers may be quietly fighting both battles at once.
Inside avocado flowers, microscopic bacteria and fungi live in the sweet liquid called nectar. Scientists discovered that many of these tiny organisms can kill or slow down the germs that destroy avocado crops and sicken honeybees. On top of that, gases released by these microbes actually help plant roots grow bigger and stronger, meaning the flower's invisible residents are doing double duty as bodyguards and growth boosters.
Key Findings
17 out of 43 bacterial isolates and 3 yeasts from avocado nectar inhibited both avocado crop pathogens and two major honeybee pathogens simultaneously.
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by all tested microbial isolates promoted lateral root formation and increased plant biomass in Arabidopsis seedlings.
Four dominant microbial genera—Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter, Protomyces, and Vishniacozyma—characterize avocado floral nectar, reflecting the crop's unique nectar chemistry.
chevron_right Technical Summary
Bacteria and fungi living in avocado flower nectar can fight off major crop diseases and bee pathogens while also stimulating plant growth. This discovery suggests the nectar microbiome plays a dual protective role—defending both the avocado plant and its pollinators.
Abstract Preview
Floral nectar-living microbes contribute to flower protection and pollinator health and are primarily determined by nectar chemical composition. Microbial communities in non-hexose-rich nectars and...
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The avocado, alligator pear or avocado pear is an evergreen tree in the laurel family (Lauraceae). It is native to the Americas, with archaeological evidence of early human avocado use dating back thousands of years across various regions of Central and South America. It was prized for its large ...