Premium
Role of iron and the TonB system in colonization of corn seeds and roots by Pseudomonas putida KT2440
Author(s) -
Molina María Antonia,
Godoy Patricia,
RamosGonzález María Isabel,
Muñoz Nuria,
Ramos Juan L.,
EspinosaUrgel Manuel
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
environmental microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.954
H-Index - 188
eISSN - 1462-2920
pISSN - 1462-2912
DOI - 10.1111/j.1462-2920.2005.00720.x
Subject(s) - pseudomonas putida , biology , colonization , rhizosphere , bacteria , zea mays , mutant , siderophore , pseudomonas , botany , microbiology and biotechnology , agronomy , biochemistry , gene , genetics
Summary Iron, which is abundant in corn ( Zea mays L.) seeds, plays an important role in the initial establishment of Pseudomonas putida KT2440 populations on seeds. Sequestration of seed‐borne iron by chelators decreases the capacity of KT2440 to initiate attachment to corn seeds. The importance of iron for this plant–bacteria interaction is further supported by the fact that mutations in the TonB system, which is key for iron uptake, result in reduced seed colonization. TonB is also a primary determintant of the fitness of P. putida in the rhizosphere, as a deletion mutant shows a clear competitive disadvantage during colonization of corn roots.