Open AccessThe viable but nonculturable state in Agrobacterium tumefaciens and Rhizobium meliloti
Author(s) -
Manahan Susan H,
Steck Todd R
Publication year - 1997
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.1574-6941.1997.tb00353.x
Subject(s) - viable but nonculturable , biology , agrobacterium tumefaciens , rhizobium , microbiology and biotechnology , rhizobiaceae , bacteria , plasmid , inoculation , agrobacterium , transformation (genetics) , symbiosis , horticulture , genetics , gene
Many Gram‐negative bacteria can enter the viable but nonculturable (VBNC) state. The VBNC state is characterized by an inability of viable cells to give rise to a colony for periods exceeding a month when plated on non‐selective growth medium. We present evidence that Agrobacterium tumefaciens and Rhizobium meliloti can become VBNC in response to inoculation into tap water from a specific source. In addition, the Ti plasmid is maintained in VBNC A. tumefaciens cells.