Native and Invasive Species Plant Growth and Mortality in Growth Media Inoculated with Bacteria Found on Phragmites From New Jersey (2016)

Bacteria were isolated from seeds of non-native Phragmites australis (haplotype M) then representatives were evaluated for their capacities to become intracellular in root cells, and their effects on: 1.) germination rates and seedling growth, 2.) susceptibility to damping-off disease, and 3.) mortality and growth of competitor plant seedlings (dandelion (Taraxacum officionale F. H. Wigg) and curly dock (Rumex crispus L.)). The experiments included the following assessments of Phragmites-associated bacteria (Pseudomonas spp, strains Sandy LB4 (Pseudomonas fluorescens) and West 9 (Pseudomonas sp.)): capacity for plant growth promotion (using Poa annua seeds), Poa annua and Phragmites australis seed germination and seedling root architecture, disease protection (co-culture experiments with soil fungi), damping off disease control (with pathogen Fusarium oxysporum), and multiple competitor inhibition experiments (with Taraxacum officionale and Rumex crispus L.). In total, 10 laboratory experiments were performed, data from eight of which are recorded in this data release.