Runoff losses of Pseudomonas aureofaciens ( lac ZY) from soil

Leaching of genetically modified microorganisms (GMMs) through soil profiles is generally not a significant concern, since GMMs typically remain near the soil surface following application. The presence of high numbers of GMMs at the soil surface, however, suggests that losses via runoff may occur. Traditional methods of plating nonlabeled bacteria lack precision and are thus seldom used to monitor runoff losses. To examine whether lac ZY, a common genetic marker, could be used to evaluate bacterial runoff from soil, a lac ZY + strain of Pseudomonas aureofaciens 3732 RN‐L11 was used at three different pH levels, with and without wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) cover in a greenhouse experiment. Twelve times over a 245 day period, soils were subjected to simulated rainfall of 84 mm h −1 for a 15 min duration. Runoff losses and survival were quantified at each time. Pseudomonas aureofaciens survived for the longest period at a soil pH of 7; survival was reduced at lower pHs. The number of cells in runoff were usually related to the number of cells surviving in the soil. When high soil populations were present, runoff losses often exceeded 10 10 cfu event −1 . When the soil population declined to low or undetectable levels, the runoff contained fewer organisms. Runoff losses of 10 8 cfu event −1 , however, were observed during one runoff event even when the soil population was below the detection limit. This study indicates that lac ZY is an effective marker, and that runoff of GMMs may be an important mechanism for movement to nontarget environments.