Plant foliar endophytic bacterial communities along the gradient of primary succession

The aim of this project was to test the hypothesis that, along a gradient of primary succession, the composition, diversity, and potential function of foliar endophytic bacterial assemblages reflect the ecophysiological changes of the host plants. We present the results of the structural and functional screening of bacterial endophytes in taxonomically diverse selection of perennial non-leguminous plant species, growing at four different successional stages.