Dominant foliar endophytes in soybean

We seek to determine the effects of foliar endophytes on soybean physiological traits, and their effect on plant responses to elevated carbon dioxide. We are using three dominant endophytes extracted from the SoyFACE facility at UIUC. This experiment took place in February of 2020. Soybeans were grown in chambers in sterile soil. Methods include inoculting plants with endopytes individually and in combination to determine infection rate and plant response. Endophytes were grown on MEA plates and cultures mixed with autoclaved milli-q water in equal combinations and sprayed onto soybeans. Soybeans were covered with opaque bags for one day to encourage colonization of endophytes. After bags were removed and leaves allowed to dry, soybeans were randomized in chambers and let sit for 8 days. Gas exchange data was taken after 7 days. After this time, leaf punches were taken from the top, middle, and bottoms leaves and used for RNA sequence data. The plant was then harvested for biomass the next day.