Bioprospecção do genótipo de resistência em solo e rizosfera de Piper nigrum e a influência do tutor na seleção desses genes

Abstract

Brazil is the second largest global exporter of black pepper (Piper nigrum), with a production of approximately 126,000 tons in 2023, intended for both export and domestic consumption. However, production faces significant challenges, particularly those related to diseases caused by phytopathogens, which directly impact productivity. The cultivation of this species can be carried out using wooden stakes or live tutors, the latter being preferred due to lower costs, reduced deforestation associated with wood extraction, and a lower demand for fertilizers. Due to the intensified use of agricultural inputs in export-oriented cropping systems, it becomes relevant to understand the natural defense mechanisms of plants, such as the recruitment of beneficial microorganisms by the rhizosphere. Among these, Actinobacteria stand out for their ability to produce antimicrobial compounds and to act in the biocontrol of phytopathogens. Thus, this study aims to evaluate the influence of different tutoring systems (live and dead) on the diversity and composition of the rhizosphere microbiota of Piper nigrum, with an emphasis on the recruitment of actinobacteria and the characterization of antimicrobial resistance genes present in the samples.