Open AccessA tripartite microbial reporter gene system for real‐time assays of soil nutrient status
Author(s) -
Standing Dominic,
Meharg Andy A,
Killham Ken
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
fems microbiology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.899
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1574-6968
pISSN - 0378-1097
DOI - 10.1016/s0378-1097(03)00057-0
Subject(s) - rhizosphere , bioreporter , reporter gene , nutrient , pseudomonas fluorescens , environmental chemistry , bioavailability , chemistry , nitrate , soil water , biology , botany , bacteria , biochemistry , gene , ecology , gene expression , bioinformatics , genetics
Plant‐derived carbon is the substrate which drives the rate of microbial assimilation and turnover of nutrients, in particular N and P, within the rhizosphere. To develop a better understanding of rhizosphere dynamics, a tripartite reporter gene system has been developed. We used three lux ‐marked Pseudomonas fluorescens strains to report on soil (1) assimilable carbon, (2) N‐status, and (3) P‐status. In vivo studies using soil water, spiked with C, N and P to simulate rhizosphere conditions, showed that the tripartite reporter system can provide real‐time assessment of carbon and nutrient status. Good quantitative agreement for bioluminescence output between reference material and soil water samples was found for the C and P reporters. With regard to soil nitrate, the minimum bioavailable concentration was found to be greater than that analytically detectable in soil water. This is the first time that bioavailable soil C, N and P have been quantified using a tripartite reporter gene system.