Open AccessEffect of a genetically modified Pseudomonas aureofaciens on indigenous microbial populations of wheat
Author(s) -
Leij Frans A.A.M.,
Sutton Emma J.,
Whipps John M.,
Lynch James M.
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
fems microbiology ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.377
H-Index - 155
eISSN - 1574-6941
pISSN - 0168-6496
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-6941.1994.tb00072.x
Subject(s) - biology , phyllosphere , pseudomonas , sugar beet , pseudomonas chlororaphis , inoculation , microbial population biology , microorganism , botany , agronomy , horticulture , bacteria , genetics
An isolate of Pseudomonas aureofaciens from the phylloplane of sugar beet which was chromosomally modified for monitors purposes by the insertion of two gene cassettes (km r ‐ xyl E and lac ZY) was introduced to the phytosphere of spring wheat in a number of experiments and the resulting microbial perturbations quantified. Such studies involving innocuous bacterial isolates can serve as a guide in the assessment of risk associated with the release of functionally modified microorganisms. Introductions of P. aureofaciens on seeds caused large microbial perturbations (up to 2 log units) at the seedling stage on seeds and roots. As the inoculated plants matured (tillering, flowering and ripening), perturbations of total microbial populations were found to be non‐significant. Microbial perturbation on maturing wheat roots as a result of seed inoculations with P. aureofaciens could only be detected using more sensitive monitoring procedures describing the Pseudomonas community in terms of colony appearance rate on a selective Pseudomonas medium. Spray applications of the marked P. aureofaciens isolate onto the leaf surface of wheat caused no significant perturbations of the indigenous microbial present on the phylloplane.