Volume: 5, 2026
5th International PhD Students’ Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland:
ENVIRONMENT – PLANT – ANIMAL – PRODUCT
Abstract number: P021
DOI: https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL5.P021
Published online: 22 April 2026
From seed microbiome to plant performance: plant growth–promoting traits of endophytes isolated from crambe seeds
Dawid Świstak*1, Willian Cleisson Lopes de Souza1,2, Karolina Jaros-Tsoj 1, Małgorzata Wójcik1, Jaco Vangronsveld1 and Jolanta Jaroszuk-Ściseł3
1 Department of Plant Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biological Sciences, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, 19 Akademicka St., 20-033 Lublin, Poland
2 Department of Agronomy, Federal University of Jequitinhonha and Mucuri Valleys, Diamantina, MG 39100-000, Brazil
3 Department of Industrial and Environmental Microbiology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, 19 Akademicka St., 20-033 Lublin, Poland
* Corresponding author: dawid.swistak@mail.umcs.pl
Endophytic microorganisms associated with seeds constitute an especially important component of the plant microbiome. In this study, we analysed the diversity and functional potential of endophytes isolated from seeds of crambe (Crambe abyssinica L.), with a particular focus on their plant growth-promoting (PGP) potential and their effect on seed germination and seedling growth. Microbial isolates obtained from surface-sterilised (using sodium hypochlorite) seeds were subjected to in vitro screening for key PGP traits, including indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) production, siderophore synthesis, and the ability to solubilise inorganic phosphates. Isolates exhibiting the most promising PGP traits were selected for further experiments. To evaluate their biological relevance, crambe seeds were inoculated with individual microbial isolates prior to germination. Germination parameters, including percentage and rate, were recorded, and seedling growth was assessed based on biomass and morphological traits. The results demonstrated that the selected endophytic microorganisms significantly influenced both germination dynamics and seedling growth. This study highlights the potential application of selected endophytes as bioinoculants in sustainable agricultural practices, particularly for improving crop establishment and yield.
This work was supported by the European Union‘s Horizon Europe Programme under Grant Agreement No 101157430 (IASIS Project – www.iasis-soil.eu).
Keywords: biomass; crambe; microorganisms; plant growth-promoting bacteria
How to cite
Świstak D., Lopes de Souza W.C., Jaros-Tsoj K., Wójcik M., Vangronsveld J., Jaroszuk-Ściseł J., 2026. From seed microbiome to plant performance: plant growth–promoting traits of endophytes isolated from crambe seeds. In: 5th International PhD Students’ Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland: Environment – Plant – Animal – Product. https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL5.P021