Open AccessWater flow induced transport of Pseudomonas fluorescens cells through soil columns as affected by inoculant treatment
Author(s) -
Hekman W.E.,
Heijnen C.E.,
Trevors J.T.,
Elsas J.D.
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.tb00078.x
Subject(s) - pseudomonas fluorescens , bentonite , microbial inoculant , topsoil , biology , bacteria , slurry , skimmed milk , soil water , food science , agronomy , microbiology and biotechnology , horticulture , environmental engineering , ecology , environmental science , paleontology , genetics
Water flow induced transport of Pseudomonas fluorescens cells through soil columns was measured as affected by the inoculant treatment. Bacterial cells were introduced into the topsoil of columns, either encapsulated in alginate beads of different types or mixed with bentonite clay in concentrations ranging from 0.5 to 5.0% (w/v). Survival of bacterial cells was improved with the use of alginate or bentonite. Transport, as determined by destructive sampling of the columns, was reduced with the use of alginate encapsulation. Drying of the beads had no influence on transport. The presence of bentonite in the topsoil, either pre‐mixed through the soil, or applied as a slurry together with the bacteria, also reduced transport, except when 0.5% was pre‐mixed through the soil. P. fluorescens cells encapsulated in alginate beads prepared with water and supplemented with skim milk powder and bentonite showed the best survival during the time of the experiment and the most reduced transport compared to the control. Therefore, cells encapsulated in this way are suitable, due to their optimal survival and reduced spread, for use in a field experiment with genetically manipulated bacteria.