Sampling of plant material to study endophytes in small, large, and woody plants

Abstract

The study of fungal, bacterial, and other endophytic microorganisms using high throughput DNA sequencing requires sampling and processing of plant material that eliminates phylloplane microorganisms and retains those inside the plant compartment. Leaves, stems, roots, and other plant tissues are removed from the plant, washed, surface sterilized, and stored for downstream applications. Especially in ecological studies, field work for sample collection may take place in remote locations where laboratory equipment and resources are rudimentary, and accessing samples from target plants can be challenging. This chapter serves as a guide to basic protocols in the design and sample collection for studies focused on the endophytes of leaf, stem, and root tissues.