Bacteria that provide benefit to plants are considered to be plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) and can facilitate plant growth by a number of different mechanisms. Plant growth-promoting bacteria that are able to utilize the plant compound 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) as a sole source of nitrogen, as a consequence of possessing the enzyme ACC deaminase, can protect host plants from a number of environmental stresses. In addition to ACC deaminase, PGPB may utilize other mechanisms to facilitate plant growth including IAA synthesis, siderophore production, phosphate solubilization activity, ammonia production, and antibiotic production. Plant growth-promoting bacterial endophytes employ similar plant growth promotion mechanisms to those used by rhizospheric PGPB. In fact, bacterial endophytes are PGPB that go one step further and colonize the inside of the plant tissues and provide more efficient and prompted protection to their hosts compared to those that bind exclusively to the plant’s rhizosphere. Therefore, it is likely that endophytic plant growth-promoting bacteria will be superior to similar non-endophytic bacterial strains in promoting plant growth under a wide range of environmental conditions. In the work reported here, new bacterial endophytes were isolated and characterized. Among twenty-five ACC deaminase positive strains, two best strains were selected and ACC deaminase deficient mutants were constructed. The ability of two newly isolated 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase-containing plant growth-promoting bacterial endophytes Pseudomonas fluorescens YsS6, Pseudomonas migulae 8R6 and their ACC deaminase deficient mutants was shown to 1) delay the senescence of mini carnation cut flowers and 2) to facilitate tomato plant growth under salinity stress. In the mini carnation flower senescence evaluation, the only difference between wild-type and mutant bacterial endophytes was ACC deaminase activity, our results demonstrate that this enzyme is directly responsible for a significant delay in flower senescence. Despite containing ACC deaminase activity, the rhizosphere-binding PGPB Pseudomonas putida UW4 was not taken up by the cut flowers and therefore had no effect on prolonging flower shelf life. In evaluating the effect of bacterial endophytes under salt stress, tomato plants treated with either of the wild-type strains of the two selected bacterial endophytes demonstrated early flowering and fruiting and had significantly greater numbers of flowers, buds, and fruits than either the corresponding ACC deaminase mutant strain-treated plants or the control plants. Although both bacterial endophytes P. fluorescens YsS6 and P. migulae 8R6 showed significant plant growth-promotion capabilities, P. migulae 8R6 demonstrated better plant growth facilitation under salt stress than did P. fluorescens YsS6. P. migulae 8R6 treated tomato plants demonstrated the least sodium uptake, the highest chlorophyll content, and highest fresh and dry biomass. The results of the work presented here suggest that ACC deaminase containing selected bacterial endophytes could be employed as environmentally friendly adjuncts to agricultural and horticultural practice.

Neotyphodium are fungal endosymbionts of grasses that reproduce asexually by infecting the hosts seed. This relationship has traditionally been considered mutualistic, with the fungus improving host fitness by alleviating important stresses. To determine the importance of biotic and abiotic stresses in mediating the endophyte-grass interaction, I investigated the relationship between grazing pressure by collared pikas and Neotyphodium sp. infection frequency in the grass Festuca altaica in an alpine meadow. I conducted a factorial design experiment combining endophyte infection, grazing history, fungicide and fertilizer. Leaf demography and herbivory damage were monitored every two weeks. In areas with chronic grazing history, infected plants were significantly less productive than uninfected tussocks, but there was no difference at low grazing history. There was no effect of infection on the likelihood of herbivory. Contrary to predictions of the mutualism theory, the Neotyphodium sp. / F. altaica symbiotum varied from parasitic to neutral across our gradient of interest. / Ecology

Les maladies tropicales négligées, telle que la leishmaniose, constituent un problème majeur de santé publique, en particulier dans les pays à faible revenu où cette maladie sévit. Le nombre limité des médicaments disponibles, leurs coûts, leurs effets indésirables et l’émergence de résistances, exige la recherche de nouveaux agents thérapeutiques. Les champignons endophytes constituent une source prometteuse de nouvelles molécules bioactives. Dans ce contexte, une étude mycochimique a été menée sur une souche endophyte de Botryosphaeria mamane, un micromycète relativement peu étudié, isolée des feuilles de Bixa orellana. Cette souche a été sélectionnée suite à un criblage préliminaire mené contre un modèle d’amastigotes axéniques de Leishmania infantum. Les études chimiques sur ce champignon ont permis d’isoler 9 molécules pures (BM1-BM9), dont 6 de structures nouvelles (BM1-BM4, BM8, BM9) et deux mélanges BM10 et BM11. Les molécules BM1-BM4 appartiennent à la famille des cyclopeptides de type thiodicétopipérazines que nous avons nommés botryosulfuranols A-D. Ils possèdent un squelette original caractérisé par deux centres spirocycliques. BM5-BM7 se sont révélés être des isocoumarines dérivés de la mélleine (cis-4-hydroxymélleine, trans-4-hydroxymélleine et 5-hydroxymélleine). BM8 et BM9 sont deux polycétides de structure nouvelle. Enfin, BM10 et BM11, sont des mélanges de cyclopentapeptides. L’évaluation de leur activité biologique sur amastigotes axéniques de Leishmania infantum a révélé que les thiodicétopipérazines avaient les meilleures activités. Le composé BM4 est le plus actif (CI50 = 0.03 µM) mais également le plus sélectif (IS = 190) de L. infantum par comparaison avec sa cytotoxicité sur des macrophages. BM1 et BM3 sont aussi actifs mais peu sélectifs (CI50 = 0.69 et 0.44 µM, IS = 3 et 15, respectivement) en raison de leur toxicité sur macrophages, et BM2 (CI50 = 3.88 µM) n’a montré aucune sélectivité. Les composés BM8 et BM9, bien que non cytotoxiques sur macrophages, ont montré une activité plus modérée contre L. infantum. Les composés BM5-BM7, et les mélanges BM10, BM11 n’ont présenté aucune activité leishmanicide. L'ensemble de ce travail souligne ainsi l'intérêt des endophytes fongiques comme sources de nouveaux composés leishmanicides. / Neglected tropical diseases, such as leishmaniasis, are a major public health problem, especially in the poorest countries of the world. The limited number of drugs available, their costs, adverse effects and the emergence of resistances, require the search for new therapeutic agents. Endophytic fungi are a promising source of new bioactive molecules. In this context, a mycochemical study was carried out on an endophytic strain of Botryosphaeria mamane, a relatively poorly studied micromycete, isolated from Bixa orellana leaves. This strain was selected from a preliminary screening for its good activity against Leishmania infantum axenic amastigotes. Chemical investigations on this fungus led to the isolation of 9 pure molecules (BM1-BM9), 6 of which are new structures (BM1-BM4, and BM8, BM9) and two mixtures BM10 and BM11. BM1-BM4 belong to the family of cyclodipeptides and are thiodiketopiperazines derivatives that we called botryosulfuranols A-D. The latter possess an unprecedent skeleton characterized by two spirocyclic centers. BM5-BM7 are isocoumarins derived from mellein (cis-4-hydroxymellein, trans-4-hydroxymellein and 5-hydroxymellein). BM8 and BM9 are two new polyketides. Finally, BM10 and BM11 are mixtures of cyclopentapeptides. Evaluation of leishmanicidal activities of these 9 compounds and the two mixtures on axenic amastigotes of Leishmania infantum showed that thiodiketopiperazines possessed the highest activities. BM4 was the most active (IC50 = 0.03 μM) and the most selective (IS = 190) when compared to its cytotoxicity on macrophages. The other thiodiketopiperazines BM1 and BM3 were active but less selective (IC50 = 0.69 and 0.44 μM, SI = 3 and 15, respectively), whereas BM2 was moderately active (IC50 = 3.88 μM) and not selective. BM8 and BM9, despite their absence of cytotoxicity against macrophages, were also moderately active against L. infantum (IC50 = 13.35 and 4.53 μM respectively). Compounds BM5-BM7, and the mixtures BM10 and BM11 did not show any leishmanicidal activities. This work highlights the interest of fungal endophytes as sources of new leishmanicidal compounds.

Ministry of Higher Education; Sultanate of Oman / Digital full-text is unavailable. Submitted disc unusable.

This thesis describes the isolation and structure elucidation of secondary metabolites from a number of endophytic Xylaria fungi. Six Xylaria endophytes were surface cultured on an aqueous malt extract-glucose medium. The fungus A311R, from a palm tree in Thailand, produced nonane-1,2,3-tricarboxylic acid, which was isolated for the first time as a natural product. Also isolated from the same fungus was spiculisporic acid; the first instance of isolation from a Xylaria fungus. The fungus 6RD12 produced cycloepoxydon, which was isolated for the first time from a Xylaria fungus, and 4,5,6-trihydroxy-3-propyl-3,4,6,7-tetrahydro-l//-isochromen- 8(5//)-one, which is a novel compound. The fungi A217R and A517R produced cytochalasin D, (S)-mellein and (3S,4S)-4-hydroxymellein as main secondary metabolites suggesting that the two fungi are the same species. The fungus X04 (Xylaria cf. juruensis) produced 2-Hydroxy-5-ethoxy-3-methylcyclohexa-2,5-dien- 1,4-dione as a novel compound, coriloxin as the main secondary metabolite in addition to (R)-mellein and a mixture of two stereoisomers of the 4-Hydroxymellein. The fungus 6RD8 produced (S)-Omethylmellein as the main secondary metabolite. l

Metabolic redox status may have important implications to cattle health and production. Antioxidants and biomarkers of oxidative stress were evaluated in cattle under three phases of management. Each phase stood alone as a treatment model, and managerial aspects during the phase were evaluated as potential moderators of redox balance. Yearling heifers were used to assess the impact of fescue toxicosis and heat stress on selected markers in study 1. Intravaginal temperatures, ADG, serum prolactin, plasma malondialdehyde, and whole blood Se, along with peripheral blood mononuclear cell glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, and reduced:oxidized glutathione were determined during summer grazing. Results suggested that endophyte consumption does not promote oxidative stress in cattle. Heat stress may alter glutathione redox of white blood cells. In study 2, effects of gradual weaning strategies (anti-suckle nose clip and fenceline wean) and transport were evaluated in calves. Calf weights, Se and malondialdehyde in plasma, along with glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase in leukocytes were measured at -7, 0, 1, and 7 days surrounding weaning and transport. Little benefit of gradual weaning was detected, and oxidative stress may have been negligible. In study 3, the influences of grain- and forage-based diets were compared in finishing steers pre- and post-harvest. Total antioxidant capacity and malondialdehyde concentration of plasma, along with serum alpha-tocopherol, beta-carotene, and gamma-tocopherol were measured. Antioxidants and lipid oxidation were assessed in beef. Forages promoting plasma antioxidant capacity may protect cattle against oxidative stress. Antioxidants derived from forages inhibit lipid oxidation in pasture-finished beef. / Master of Science

The US Department of Energy has focused research efforts on developing switchgrass into a bioenergy feedstock, helping to offset the use of non-renewable fossil fuels and make the US more energy independent. Bacterial endophytes, which reside inside plant tissues, are proven to increase yield and stress resistance in a number of plants. The primary objective of this dissertation was to explore the use of endophytes to improve biomass yields of switchgrass on lands not suitable for food crops and better understand the underlying mechanisms of the plant-endophyte interaction. Integration of this research into K-12 STEM education to increase interest in plant sciences and create the next generation of scientists with the motivation to help solve the challenges facing society in the twenty first century was the objective of the outreach component of this project. Chapter one demonstrates the ability of Burkholderia phytofirmans strain PsJN to colonize switchgrass and promote plant growth under in vitro (approximately 50% higher), and growth chamber and greenhouse (48.6% higher biomass yields) conditions. The objectives of Chapter two were to determine stand establishment in the field with different nutrient levels. PsJN bacterization positively benefited growth and development of switchgrass seedlings in the field with both low and high nutrient content. Highly significant (p<0.001) stimulation of root and shoot growth, lateral root formation and number of tillers was recorded on soil with low fertility. PsJN bacterization also enhanced biomass accumulation during the two seasons of growth on both poor (p<0.001) and rich (p<0.05) soil, indicating the potential for the use of PsJN in a low-input switchgrass feedstock production system. Chapter three outlines differences in gene expression patterns upon bacterization, between the responsive cv. Alamo, and a non-responsive cv. Cave-in-Rock. Using EST microarrays and quantitative PCR up- and down-regulated genes were identified in both cultivars. One of the key genes identified was a member of the tau class, glutathione S-transferase (GST). GST enzymes are known to be involved in plants responses to stress. Using overexpression and knockout/knockdown techniques we demonstrated that GST is likely involved in the bacterization induced early plant growth promotion in switchgrass. Chapter four describes the potential for the utilization of beneficial bacterial endophytes capable of fixing atmospheric nitrogen in a free-living state in the development of low-input switchgrass feedstock production systems. Sphingomonas sp. strain NSL isolated from switchgrass tissue was able to grow on nitrogen free medium and stimulated growth of switchgrass cv. Alamo under nitrogen deficient conditions. The ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen was also moved to Burkholderia phytofirmans strain PsJN via horizontal gene transfer from the legume nodulating Burkholderia phymatum. The transformed PsJN was able to fix nitrogen and promote plant growth under nitrogen limited conditions. At every step of the research described in this dissertation efforts were made to include its elements into K-12 education. Chapter five describes four case studies aiming at the enhancement of youth interest in plant sciences in the socieoeconomically depressed areas of Southside Virginia. / Ph. D.

Ce travail porte sur l'étude chimique d'une souche endophyte de Botryosphaeria mamane, un micromycète relativement peu étudié, isolée des feuilles de Bixa orellana. Des travaux préliminaires portant sur le screening de 409 souches de champignons isolés à partir de plantes médicinales d'Amérique du Sud a révélé que parmi celles-ci, B. mamane E224 était l'une des souches les plus actives in vitro sur un modèle de Leishmania infantum. L'objectif de ce travail a consisté en l'induction de la production de nouveaux métabolites secondaires produits par B. mamane via l'optimisation des conditions de culture de cette souche, la mise en place de méthodes de co-cultures et l'ajout de modificateurs épigénétiques. Une analyse des métabolomes dans les différentes conditions a été réalisée à travers une approche métabolomique, utilisant un couplage UHPLC-HRMS, ainsi que grâce à différents outils statistiques. Deux grandes classes de composés ont ainsi été détectées dans les cultures axéniques de B. mamane. Premièrement, la famille des cyclopeptides, incluant les cyclodipeptides soufrés avec en particulier trois nouveaux composés, les botryosulfuranols A-C. Puis la famille des isocoumarines, avec des dérivés de la melleine (trans-4-hydroxymelleine, 4-hydroxymelleine et 5-hydroxymellein). A travers l'ajout de modificateurs épigénétiques à la culture de B. mamane, nous avons pu étudier les effets de deux inhibiteurs d'histone désacétylases (HDACis), l'acide suberoylanilidehydroxamique (SAHA) et le valproate sodique, ajoutés à deux stades différents de la culture fongique. L'ajout de HDACi dans la culture de B. mamane a entraîné des changements importants dans la production de métabolites secondaires. En effet, une induction de certains métabolites mais également une réduction et l'inactivation de la production d'autres métabolites, ont été observés, et ceci selon la nature du modificateur épigénétique ajouté. Cette étude illustre l'importance du choix des HDACis pour l'induction de la production de métabolites spécifiques. Concernant l'optimisation de la co-culture de B.[...] / This study focused on the strain of a poorly studied fungal endophyte Botryosphaeria mamane E224, isolated from Bixa orellana leaves. Our previous screening involving 409 fungal strains isolated from medicinal plants from South America revealed that among all these strains, B. mamane was shown to be the most bioactive on in vitro model against Leishmania infantum. The objectives of this work consisted in the introduction of new metabolite production by B. mamane by optimizing the fungal culture conditions, and by using co-cultivation methods and addition of epigenetic modifiers. This work was followed by an analysis of the different metabolomes via a metabolomics approach using UHPLC-HRMS and integration of informatics and statistical tools for metabolomics. Two major compound classes were detected in B. mamane. First, the cyclopeptide family including the thiodiketopiperazines (TDKPs) alkaloids with three new compounds proposed as botryosulfuranols A-C; and the isocoumarin family, with the mellein derivatives, trans-4-hydroxymellein, 4-hydroxymellein, and 5-hydroxymellein. Regarding the exploration of B. mamane metabolome cultured in the presence of epigenetic modifier, the effects of two different histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACis), suberoylanilidehydroxamic acid (SAHA) and valproate sodium added in two different stages of fungal growth, were investigated. As expected, HDACis addition in the culture of B. mamane led to significant changes in the secondary metabolite production. Addition of modifier not only induced metabolites production but also reduced and may inactivate metabolite production in fungi, depending on the nature of the epigenetic modifier added. This study illustrates the importance in the choice of HDACis to fungal culture in order to induce specific metabolite productions. In the study of B. mamane and C. albicans co-cultivation in different culture conditions, we showed the influence of the conditions (static versus agitation) on the metabolome of the fungi. However, the co-culture with yeast did not induce any modification in the fungal metabolome. The investigation of fungal interactions between B. mamane, Fusarium solani, and Colletotrichum linicola in 6-multi well plates in time-series based analysis has been carried out. [...]

Plus de 300 alcaloïdes d’Amaryllidaceae doués d’activités biologiques ont été isolés à partir des plantes appartenant à cette famille. De nos jours, seule la galanthamine, utilisée pour le traitement palliatif de la maladie d’Alzheimer, est commercialisée. L’accumulation de ces alcaloïdes dans les plantes est limitée. La culture in vitro est une méthode alternative intéressante pour l’obtention plus aisée de ces alcaloïdes à haute valeur ajoutée. Le premier objectif de ce travail vise à développer une méthode de purification efficace, simple et rapide des extraits de plantes préalablement à leur analyse en LCMS et GCMS. Le second objectif est d’étudier l’effet de plusieurs facteurs exogènes, ajoutés au milieu de culture de bulbilles de Leucojum aestivum et de sa variété Gravety Giant en bioréacteurs RITA®, sur les voies de biosynthèse de la galanthamine et de la lycorine. La variation des paramètres exogènes a permis une accumulation accrue en galanthamine et en lycorine (0,814 mg/g et 1,54 mg/g de matière sèche respectivement) dans les bulbilles. Le troisième objectif porte sur l’isolement et l’identification d’endophytes à partir de bulbes in vivo et in vitro de trois espèces d’Amaryllidaceae (L. aestivum, Narcissus pseudonarcissus et Galanthus elwesii). Des bactéries endophytes du genre Bacillus ont été identifiées. Un nouvel alcaloïde a été isolé à partir des cultures bactériennes / Over 300 Amaryllidaceae alkaloids possessing a wide range of biological activities have been isolated from plants belonging to this family. Galanthamine, used for the palliative treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, is the only one commercialized. The biodisponiblity of these alkaloids is low. In vitro culture offers an alternative yet interesting approach for the biotechnological production of these valuable alkaloids. The aim of this work was, first, to develop a fast, efficient and easy purification method of plant extracts prior to their phytochemical analysis both in LCMS and GCMS. Second, the combined effects of bioreactor RITA® culture and feeding with different exogenous factors on the biosynthetic pathway of both galanthamine and lycorine were studied. The experiments were conducted both with Leucojum aestivum and L. aestivum ‘Gravety Giant’ bulblets. The variation of several exogenous parameters resulted in a better accumulation of galanthamine and lycorine (0.814 mg/g and 1.54 mg/g dry weight respectively) in the bulblets. The third aim was to isolate and identify alkaloid producing endophytes from in vivo and in vitro bulbs of three Amaryllidaceae species (L. aestivum, Narcissus pseudonarcissus and Galanthus elwesii). Bacterial endophtes belonging to the Bacillus genus were identified. A new alkaloid was isolated from bacterial liquid cultures

Les patrons de distribution chez les micro-organismes reposeraient sur leurs capacités à disperser dans le temps et dans l'espace, en lien avec des facteurs abiotiques comme les propriétés du sol, le climat, et des interactions biotiques, notamment avec l'hôte dans le cas des symbiontes, mais aussi sur les traits d'histoire de vie propres aux micro-organismes, telle que la capacité à sporuler. Frankia sp. est une actinobactérie sporulante et fixatrice d'azote à la biogéographie complexe, car vivant à la fois de façon saprophytique dans le sol, en symbiose racinaire (nodosité) avec les plantes actinorhiziennes dont les aulnes (Alnus, Betulaceae). Deux types de souches de Frankia génétiquement différentes ont été décrites dont la distinction phénotypique majeure réside dans la capacité à maintenir (Sp+) ou non (Sp-) leur sporulation in planta. Cette sporulation endophytique est à notre connaissance unique dans un contexte symbiotique et son implication dans la biogéographie de Frankia, reste peu connue. Ces travaux de thèse intègrent à la fois des approches descriptives et expérimentales, sur le terrain et au laboratoire, afin d'accroître la compréhension du rôle écologique de la sporulation in planta de Frankia. Dans un premier temps, nous avons étendu la description de la phylobiogéographie des souches de Frankia Sp+ afin de tester la validité du patron de distribution centré sur les milieux froids des zones de haute altitude et de haute latitude de l'hémisphère nord. Un intérêt tout particulier a été porté sur les aires géographiques où une plus forte diversité de Frankia était attendue, dans la zone d'origine de l'aulne et ses refuges glaciaires. Dans un second temps, nous avons étudié l'influence du partenaire végétal dans la distribution observée des Frankia Sp+ et l'implication du trait Sp+ dans la capacité d'association à l'hôte. Des croisements expérimentaux ont été réalisés au laboratoire afin de découpler les effets de l'espèce-hôte et du climat, et tester les implications du trait Sp+ en termes d'infectivité, compétitivité et spectre d'hôte. Enfin, nous avons étudié les conséquences écosystémiques de l'expansion subalpine du complexe symbiotique Alnus/Frankia, au niveau de la diversité microbienne et du fonctionnement du cycle de l'azote, en fonction du phénotype de sporulation des souches associées. Des analyses pédologiques, en association avec des mesures de nitrification, dénitrification et fixation d'azote, ainsi que des analyses de diversité microbienne (globale et fonctionnelle), ont été réalisées dans différentes aulnaies Sp+, Sp- ou mixte, à différents stades de colonisation de l'aulne. Les résultats obtenus démontrent une prédominance des souches Sp+ associées aux espèces d'aulne des milieux froids sur les 3 continents de la zone Holarctique, avec une diversité nouvelle dans l'aire d'origine et les zones refuges de l'aulne. Les croisements effectués révèlent une infectivité et compétitivité plus forte des Sp+ par rapport aux Sp-. De plus, contrairement aux Sp- à spectre d'hôte très large, les Sp+ présentent un spectre limité entraînant des incompatibilités d'association suggérant une dépendance forte à une espèce-hôte donnée. Les modifications des communautés microbiennes du sol en réponse à l'expansion du complexe symbiotique Alnus/Frankia ont été démontrées, en lien avec la stimulation du cycle de l'azote dans les milieux sub-/alpins. Les premiers résultats sur l'efficience comparée de la fixation d'azote in natura des souches Sp- par rapport aux Sp+ suggèrent que 100% de l'azote de l'aulne est obtenu par le biais de la fixation. Aucun patron n'est mis en évidence entre souches Sp+ et Sp-, suggérant un effet plus complexe de la saisonnalité, de l'âge de l'arbre et de celui de la nodosité. Les résultats obtenus nous permettent de mieux appréhender les facteurs guidant la biogéographie de Frankia et de discuter de l'évolution de ces patrons de distribution en réponse au réchauffement climatique / Microbial biogeography would be based on the ability of microorganisms to disperse across time and space, as a function of abiotic factors such as soil properties, climate, and of biotic interactions, in particular with the host in the case of symbionts, but also on life history traits such as the ability to sporulate. Frankia sp. is a spore-forming and nitrogen-fixing actinobacterium that has a complex biogeography given its abilities for both saprophytic life and root symbiotic interaction with actinorhizal plants such as alders (Alnus, Betulaceae). Two distinct groups of Frankia lineages have been described according to a major phenotypic divergence, based on the presence (Sp+) or the absence (Sp-) of spores in planta.. To the best of our knowledge, this endophytic sporulation is an original trait in a symbiotic context and very little is known about its incidence in Frankia biogeography. This work integrates descriptive and experimental approaches on both field and laboratory areas, in order to improve the understanding of the ecological role of Frankia in planta sporulation. First, we have extended the description of the phylobiogeography of Sp+ Frankia strains to validate the previously proposed distribution pattern focused on cold environements at high altitude or high latitude. A phylogeny has been computed using a large number of nodular strains coming from the 3 continents of the Northern Hemisphere and 10 different Alnus species. Special attention was paid to geographic areas where a higher diversity was expected, in Asia, and in its glacial refuges. Second, we studied the influence of the host-plant on the distribution of Fankia Sp+ and the incidence of Sp+ in the symbiotic interaction. Experimental crosses have been performed to disentangle host and climate effects and to test the incidence of the Sp+ trait in terms of infectivity, competitiveness and host-range. Finally, we studied the ecological consequences of the Alnus/Frankia symbiotic complex, on the microbial diversity and on the nitrogen cycle functionning, with respect to the sporulation of Frankia and to the Alnus expansion on sub-/alpine grasslands. Soils analyses were performed in association with measures of nitrification and denitrification, as well as global and functional microbial diversity analyses, in Sp+, Sp- or mixed alder stands and at different colonization stages. In each part of this work, alder ectomycorhizae were analyzed to compare the distribution pattern between the two symbionts and to highlight potential interactions with the Sp+ trait of Frankia. Our results show the dominance of Sp+ strains in nodules of alder species from cold environments over the 3 continents of the Holarctic zone, with original diversity patterns in alder area of origin and in glacial refuges. Even if these strains are genetically homogenous, host-specific clusters were observed in the phylogeny. Crosses revealed that Sp+ strains were more infective and competitive than Sp- strains. Moreover, unlike Sp- strains that harbor a wide host-range, Sp+ strains have a narrower specificity leading to association’s incompatibilities and suggesting strong host dependence. For the first time, modifications of microbial communities were revealed in response to the Alnus-Frankia symbiotic complex colonization and were linked to a stimulation of the nitrogen cycle in the sub-/alpine grasslands. The first comparative results of nitrogen fixation between Sp+ and Sp- strains in natura suggest a maximal efficiency of fixation, representing almost 100% of the alder nitrogen. However, unlike previous reports in literature, no pattern was observed between Sp+ and Sp- strains, suggesting a complex effect of seasonality, alder age as well as that of nodules. Altogether, the previous results contribute to a better understanding of the Frankia biogeography drivers and allow us to discuss the expected evolution of distribution pattern in response to the global warming