Cultivar-specificity of bacterial and stramenopile communities in the rhizosphere of Olea europaea

The rhizosphere represents the interface between plant roots and surrounding soil with a highly active microbiota. The structure of associated microbial communities is affected by multiple factors including plant species and plant age but also soil characteristics and climate conditions. Here, we studied the influence of the olive variety on the bacterial community as well as on the presence of stramenopiles. Total DNA from rhizosphere samples of three Spanish and one Italian cultivar of Olea europaea from the same field site were extracted. Using single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analyses, specific community profiles were generated and interpreted. Results revealed a cultivar-specific association with bacteria whereas the stramenopiles community appeared to be independent from the cultivar.