Induced Systemic Resistance and Promotion of Plant Growth by Bacillus spp

ABSTRACT Elicitation of induced systemic resistance (ISR) by plant-associated bacteria was initially demonstrated using Pseudomonas spp. and other gram-negative bacteria. Several reviews have summarized various aspects of the large volume of literature on Pseudomonas spp. as elicitors of ISR. Fewer published accounts of ISR by Bacillus spp. are available, and we review this literature for the first time. Published results are summarized showing that specific strains of the species B. amyloliquefaciens, B. subtilis, B. pasteurii, B. cereus, B. pumilus, B. mycoides, and B. sphaericus elicit significant reductions in the incidence or severity of various diseases on a diversity of hosts. Elicitation of ISR by these strains has been demonstrated in greenhouse or field trials on tomato, bell pepper, muskmelon, watermelon, sugar beet, tobacco, Arabidopsis sp., cucumber, loblolly pine, and two tropical crops (long cayenne pepper and green kuang futsoi). Protection resulting from ISR elicited by Bacillus spp. has been reported against leaf-spotting fungal and bacterial pathogens, systemic viruses, a crown-rotting fungal pathogen, root-knot nematodes, and a stem-blight fungal pathogen as well as damping-off, blue mold, and late blight diseases. Reductions in populations of three insect vectors have also been noted in the field: striped and spotted cucumber beetles that transmit cucurbit wilt disease and the silver leaf whitefly that transmits Tomato mottle virus. In most cases, Bacillus spp. that elicit ISR also elicit plant growth promotion. Studies on mechanisms indicate that elicitation of ISR by Bacillus spp. is associated with ultrastructural changes in plants during pathogen attack and with cytochemical alterations. Investigations into the signal transduction pathways of elicited plants suggest that Bacillus spp. activate some of the same pathways as Pseudomonas spp. and some additional pathways. For example, ISR elicited by several strains of Bacillus spp. is independent of salicylic acid but dependent on jasmonic acid, ethylene, and the regulatory gene NPR1-results that are in agreement with the model for ISR elicited by Pseudomonas spp. However, in other cases, ISR elicited by Bacillus spp. is dependent on salicylic acid and independent of jasmonic acid and NPR1. In addition, while ISR by Pseudomonas spp. does not lead to accumulation of the defense gene PR1 in plants, in some cases, ISR by Bacillus spp. does. Based on the strains and results summarized in this review, two products for commercial agriculture have been developed, one aimed mainly at plant growth promotion for transplanted vegetables and one, which has received registration from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, for disease protection on soybean.

Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria systemically protect Arabidopsis thaliana against Cucumber mosaic virus by a salicylic acid and NPR1-independent and jasmonic acid-dependent signaling pathway

Arabidopsis thaliana ecotype Columbia plants (Col-0) treated with plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) Serattia marcescens strain 90-166 and Bacillus pumilus strain SE34 had significantly reduced symptom severity by Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV). In some cases, CMV accumulation was also significantly reduced in systemically infected leaves. The signal transduction pathway(s) associated with induced resistance against CMV by strain 90-166 was determined using mutant strains and transgenic and mutant Arabidopsis lines. NahG plants treated with strains 90-166 and SE34 had reduced symptom severity indicating that the resistance did not require salicylic acid (SA). Strain 90-166 naturally produces SA under iron-limited conditions. Col-0 and NahG plants treated with the SA-deficient mutant, 90-166-1441, had significantly reduced CMV symptom severity with reduced virus accumulation in Col-0 plants. Another PGPR mutant, 90-166-2882, caused reduced disease severity in Col-0 and NahG plants. In a time course study, strain 90-166 reduced virus accumulation at 7 but not at 14 and 21 days post-inoculation (dpi) on the non-inoculated leaves of Col-0 plants. NahG and npr1-1 plants treated with strain 90-166 had reduced amounts of virus at 7 and 14 dpi but not at 21 dpi. In contrast, no decrease in CMV accumulation occurred in strain 90-166-treated fad3-2 fad7-2 fad8 plants. These data indicate that the protection of Arabidopsis against CMV by strain 90-166 follows a signaling pathway for virus protection that is independent of SA and NPR1, but dependent on jasmonic acid.

Efficacy of Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria, Acibenzolar-S-Methyl, and Soil Amendment for Integrated Management of Bacterial Wilt on Tomato

Greenhouse experiments were conducted to study the effect of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR; Bacillus pumilus SE 34, Pseudomonas putida 89B61, BioYield, and Equity), acibenzolar-S-methyl (Actigard), and a soil amendment with S-H mixture (contains agricultural and industrial wastes such as bagasse, rice husk, oyster shell powder, urea, potassium nitrate, calcium super phosphate, and mineral ash) on bacterial wilt incidence caused by Ralstonia solanacearum (race 1, biovar 1) in susceptible tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum cv. Solar Set). In experiments with PGPR, Pseudomonas putida 89B61 significantly reduced bacterial wilt incidence when applied to the transplants at the time of seeding and 1 week prior to inoculation with Ralstonia solanacearum. BioYield, a formulated PGPR that contained two Bacillus strains, decreased disease significantly in three experiments. Equity, a formulation containing more than 40 different microbial strains, did not reduced wilt incidence compared with the untreated control. With inoculum at low pathogen densities of 1 × 10⁵ and 1 × 10⁶ CFU/ml, disease incidence of Actigard-treated plants was significantly less than with nontreated plants. This is the first report of Actigard-mediated reduction of bacterial wilt incidence in a susceptible tomato cultivar. When PGPR and Actigard applications were combined, Actigard plus P. putida 89B61 or BioYield reduced bacterial wilt incidence compared with the untreated control. Incorporation of S-H mixture into infested soil 2 weeks before transplanting reduced bacterial wilt incidence in one experiment. Combination of Actigard with the S-H mixture significantly reduced bacterial wilt incidence in tomato in two experiments.

Bacterial volatiles induce systemic resistance in Arabidopsis

Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria, in association with plant roots, can trigger induced systemic resistance (ISR). Considering that low-molecular weight volatile hormone analogues such as methyl jasmonate and methyl salicylate can trigger defense responses in plants, we examined whether volatile organic compounds (VOCs) associated with rhizobacteria can initiate ISR. In Arabidopsis seedlings exposed to bacterial volatile blends from Bacillus subtilis GB03 and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens IN937a, disease severity by the bacterial pathogen Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora was significantly reduced compared with seedlings not exposed to bacterial volatiles before pathogen inoculation. Exposure to VOCs from rhizobacteria for as little as 4 d was sufficient to activate ISR in Arabidopsis seedlings. Chemical analysis of the bacterial volatile emissions revealed the release of a series of low-molecular weight hydrocarbons including the growth promoting VOC (2R,3R)-(-)-butanediol. Exogenous application of racemic mixture of (RR) and (SS) isomers of 2,3-butanediol was found to trigger ISR and transgenic lines of B. subtilis that emitted reduced levels of 2,3-butanediol and acetoin conferred reduced Arabidopsis protection to pathogen infection compared with seedlings exposed to VOCs from wild-type bacterial lines. Using transgenic and mutant lines of Arabidopsis, we provide evidence that the signaling pathway activated by volatiles from GB03 is dependent on ethylene, albeit independent of the salicylic acid or jasmonic acid signaling pathways. This study provides new insight into the role of bacteria VOCs as initiators of defense responses in plants.

Spatial and temporal distribution of a bioluminescent-marked Pseudomonas putida on soybean root

The ability of rhizobacteria to compete with other microorganisms for root colonization may be critical for its establishment on a root. Over a 6 day period, visualization of the spatial and temporal rhizosphere distribution of a bioluminescent-marked rhizobacterium, Pseudomonas putida, strain GR7.4lux, was examined on soybean grown in non-sterile soil conditions. Luminometry technologies showed a rapid root distribution of rhizobacteria where bioluminescence was particularly intense on the seed and upper root parts. The results provide new information on rhizobial root distribution, where, using enrichment broth, 50% of the root tips were still colonized by rhizobacteria up to 6 days after sowing. This suggests that rhizobial enrichment is required to detect low populations at the root tip. Bioluminescent technology represents a promising alternative to previous methods for studying rhizobial growth and distribution on roots.

Broad-Spectrum Protection Against Several Pathogens by PGPR Mixtures Under Field Conditions in Thailand

Prior greenhouse experiments showed that four mixtures of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) strains (all Bacillus spp.) elicited induced systemic resistance in several plants against different plant pathogens. Based on these findings, we sought to determine if systemic resistance induced by these PGPR would lead to broad-spectrum protection against several pathogens under field conditions in Thailand. Experiments were conducted during the rainy season (July to October 2001) and winter season (November 2001 to February 2002) on the campus of Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand. The specific diseases and hosts tested were southern blight of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) caused by Sclerotium rolfsii, anthracnose of long cayenne pepper (Capsicum annuum var. acuminatum) caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, and mosaic disease of cucumber (Cucumis sativus) caused by Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV). Results showed that some PGPR mixtures suppressed disease more consistently than the individual PGPR strain IN937a. One PGPR mixture, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain IN937a + B. pumilus strain IN937b, significantly protected (P = 0.05) plants against all tested diseases in both seasons. Further, cumulative marketable yields were positively correlated with some treatments.

Different signaling pathways of induced resistance by rhizobacteria in Arabidopsis thaliana against two pathovars of Pseudomonas syringae

•  The mechanisms by which plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) mediate induced systemic resistance are currently being intensively investigated from the viewpoint of signal transduction pathways within plants. •  Here, we determined whether our well-characterized PGPR strains, which have demonstrated induced resistance on various plants, also elicit induced resistance in Arabidopsis thaliana. Nine different PGPR strains were evaluated for their capacity to cause induced resistance on Arabidopsis against two pathovars of Pseudomonas syringae. Six strains significantly reduced severity of P. syringae pv. tomato, whereas seven strains reduced severity of P. syringae pv. maculicola. •  From the initial screenings, four strains (90-166, SE34, 89B61 and T4) were selected because of their consistent induced resistance capacity. Elicitation of induced resistance with these strains depended on how disease severity was measured. Three strains (90-166, 89B61 and T4) induced resistance in NahG plants (SA-deficient), indicating a salicylic acid-independent pathway, which agrees with the previously reported pathway for induced resistance by PGPR. However, differences from the reported pathway were noted with strain 89B61, which did not require jasmonic acid or ethylene signaling pathways for induced resistance, and with strain T4, which induced resistance in npr1 plants. •  These results indicate that strains 89B61 and T4 induce resistance via a new pathway or possibly a variation of the previously reported pathway. This information will broaden our understanding of ways in which microorganisms can signal physiological changes in plants.

Rhizobacteria-Mediated Growth Promotion of Tomato Leads to Protection Against Cucumber mosaic virus

ABSTRACT We evaluated combinations of two strains of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) formulated with the carrier chitosan for the ability to induce growth promotion of tomato plants and resistance to infection by Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV). Each PGPR combination included GB03 (Bacillus subtilis) and one of the following PGPR strains: SE34 (B. pumilus), IN937a (B. amyloliquefaciens), IN937b (B. subtilis), INR7 (B. pumilus), or T4 (B. pumilus). The PGPR combinations formulated with chitosan are referred to as biopreparations. Tomato plants treated with each of the biopreparations appeared phenotypically and developmentally similar to nonbacterized control plants that were 10 days older (referred to as the older control). When plants were challenged with CMV, all plants in the biopreparation treatments and the older control treatment had significantly greater height, fresh weight, and flower and fruit numbers than that of plants in the CMV-inoculated same age control treatment. CMV disease severity ratings were significantly lower for biopreparation-treated and older control tomato plants than for that of same age control plants at 14 and 28 days postinoculation (dpi). CMV accumulation in young noninoculated leaves was significantly less for all biopreparation-treated plants and those in the older control than for the same age control plants at 14 dpi and for four of the five biopreparation treatments at 28 dpi. In those tomato plants shown to be infected, the amount of CMV in noninoculated leaves was significantly lower for three of the biopreparation treatments and the older control treatment at 14 dpi and biopreparation G/INR7 treatment at 28 dpi when compared with the control treatment. These data show that treatment of tomato plants with biopreparations results in significant enhancement of growth and protection against infection by CMV.

Survival and colonization of rhizobacteria in a tomato transplant system

Plant-growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are used on crops most often as seed treatments; however, an alternative application method for transplanted vegetables is mixing PGPR into the soilless medium in which the transplants are grown. Studies were undertaken to compare root colonization and persistence of rifampicin-resistant mutants of PGPR strains Bacillus pumilus SE34 and Pseudomonas fluorescens 89B61, SE34r and 89B61r, on tomato as a function of application method. When the bacteria were incorporated into Promix(tm) soilless medium at log 6, 7, and 8 colony- forming units/g, populations of strain SE34r per gram of medium maintained the initial inoculum densities, while populations of 89B61r decreased approximately one to two orders of magnitude by 4 weeks after planting. The populations of each PGPR strain colonizing roots after application into the soilless medium showed a similar pattern at 6 weeks as that at 4 weeks after planting, with higher populations on the whole roots and lateral roots than on the taproots. Strain SE34r but not 89B61r moved upwards and colonized the phyllosphere when incorporated into the soilless medium. Following application as seed treatment, populations of SE34r were significantly higher on upper roots and on the taproot than were populations following application through the soilless medium. Conversely, populations were higher on lower roots and lateral roots following application through the soilless medium than were populations following application as seed treatment. While strain SE34 enhanced plant growth with application both to the medium and as seed treatment, the level of growth promotion was significantly greater with application in the soilless medium. The results indicate that PGPR can be successfully incorporated into soilless media in vegetable transplant production systems.Key words: rhizobacteria, plant colonization, Bacillus pumilus, Pseudomonas fluorescens.

Bacterial volatiles promote growth in Arabidopsis

Several chemical changes in soil are associated with plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR). Some bacterial strains directly regulate plant physiology by mimicking synthesis of plant hormones, whereas others increase mineral and nitrogen availability in the soil as a way to augment growth. Identification of bacterial chemical messengers that trigger growth promotion has been limited in part by the understanding of how plants respond to external stimuli. With an increasing appreciation of how volatile organic compounds signal plants and serve in plant defense, investigations into the role of volatile components in plant-bacterial systems now can follow. Here, we present chemical and plant-growth data showing that some PGPR release a blend of volatile components that promote growth of Arabidopsis thaliana. In particular, the volatile components 2,3-butanediol and acetoin were released exclusively from two bacterial strains that trigger the greatest level of growth promotion. Furthermore, pharmacological applications of 2,3-butanediol enhanced plant growth whereas bacterial mutants blocked in 2,3-butanediol and acetoin synthesis were devoid in this growth-promotion capacity. The demonstration that PGPR strains release different volatile blends and that plant growth is stimulated by differences in these volatile blends establishes an additional function for volatile organic compounds as signaling molecules mediating plant-microbe interactions.

Induction of Growth Promotion and Resistance Against Downy Mildew on Pearl Millet (Pennisetum glaucum) by Rhizobacteria

A series of laboratory, greenhouse, and field experiments were conducted to evaluate seven strains of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR). The PGPR were tested as suspensions of fresh cultures and talc-based powder formulations. Evaluations were conducted on pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) for growth promotion and management of downy mildew caused by Sclerospora graminicola. All treatments with fresh suspensions and powdered formulations showed enhancement in germination and vigor index over the respective untreated controls. With fresh suspensions, maximum vigor index resulted from treatments by Bacillus pumilus strain INR7 followed by B. subtilis strain IN937b (64 and 38% higher than the untreated control, respectively). With powdered formulation, treatment with strain INR7 also resulted in the highest germination and vigor indexes, which were 10 and 63%, respectively, over the untreated control. Under experimental plot conditions, prominent enhancement in growth also was observed in the disease tests. Yield was enhanced 40 and 37% over the untreated control by seed treatment with powdered formulations of strains INR7 and SE34, respectively. The same strains also increased yield by 36 and 33%, respectively, when applied as fresh suspensions. Studies on downy mildew management resulted in varied degrees of protection by the PGPR both under greenhouse and field conditions. With fresh suspensions, treatment with INR7 resulted in the highest protection (57%), followed by B. pumilus strain SE34 and B. subtilis strain GBO3, which resulted in 50 and 43% protection, respectively, compared with the untreated control. With powdered formulation, PGPR strain INR7 suppressed downy mildew effectively, resulting in 67% protection, while SE34 resulted in 58% protection, followed by GBO3 with 56% protection. Treatment with Apron (Metalaxyl) resulted in the highest protection against downy mildew under both greenhouse and field conditions. Thus, the present study suggests that the tested PGPR, both as powdered formulations and fresh suspensions, can be used within pearl millet downy mildew management strategies and for plant growth promotion.

Development of Multi-Component Transplant Mixes for Suppression of Meloidogyne incognita on Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum)

The effects of combinations of organic amendments, phytochemicals, and plant-growth promoting rhizobacteria on tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) germination, transplant growth, and infectivity of Meloidogyne incognita were evaluated. Two phytochemicals (citral and benzaldehyde), three organic amendments (pine bark, chitin, and hemicellulose), and three bacteria (Serratia marcescens, Brevibacterium iodinum, and Pseudomonas fluorescens) were assessed. Increasing rates of benzaldehyde and citral reduced nematode egg viability in vitro. Benzaldehyde was 100% efficacious as a nematicide against juveniles, whereas citral reduced juvenile viability to less than 20% at all rates tested. Benzaldehyde increased tomato seed germination and root weight, whereas citral decreased both. High rates of pine bark or chitin reduced plant growth but not seed germination, whereas low rates of chitin increased shoot length, shoot weight, and root weight; improved root condition; and reduced galling. The combination of chitin and benzaldehyde significantly improved tomato transplant growth and reduced galling. While each of the bacterial isolates contributed to increased plant growth in combination treatments, only Brevibacterium iodinum applied alone significantly improved plant growth.

Induced systemic protection against tomato late blight elicited by plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria

ABSTRACT Two strains of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), Bacillus pumilus SE34 and Pseudomonas fluorescens 89B61, elicited systemic protection against late blight on tomato and reduced disease severity by a level equivalent to systemic acquired resistance induced by Phytophthora infestans or induced local resistance by chemical inducer beta-amino butyric acid (BABA) in greenhouse assays. Germination of sporangia and zoospores of P. infestans on leaf surfaces of tomato plants treated with the two PGPR strains, pathogen, and chemical BABA was significantly reduced compared with the noninduced control. Induced protection elicited by PGPR, pathogen, and BABA were examined to determine the signal transduction pathways in three tomato lines: salicylic acid (SA)-hydroxylase transgenic tomato (nahG), ethylene insensitive mutants (Nr/Nr), and jasmonic acid insensitive mutants (def1). Results suggest that induced protection elicited by both bacilli and pseudomonad PGPR strains was SA-independent but ethylene- and jasmonic acid-dependent, whereas systemic acquired resistance elicited by the pathogen and induced local resistance by BABA were SA-dependent. The lack of colonization of tomato leaves by strain 89B61 suggests that the observed induced systemic resistance (ISR) was due to systemic protection by strain 89B61 and not attributable to a direct interaction between pathogen and biological control agent. Although strain SE34 was detected on tomato leaves, ISR mainly accounted for the systemic protection with this strain.

Effects of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) rotations with peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) on nematode populations and soil microflora

A 3-year field rotation study was conducted to assess the potential of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) to suppress root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne arenaria), southern blight (Sclerotium rolfsii), and aflatoxigenic fungi (Aspergillus sp.) in peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) and to assess shifts in microbial populations following crop rotation. Switchgrass did not support populations of root-knot nematodes but supported high populations of nonparasitic nematodes. Peanut with no nematicide applied and following 2 years of switchgrass had the same nematode populations as continuous peanut plus nematicide. Neither previous crop nor nematicide significantly reduced the incidence of pods infected with Aspergillus. However, pod invasion by A. flavus was highest in plots previously planted with peanut and not treated with nematicide. Peanut with nematicide applied at planting following 2 years of switchgrass had significantly less incidence of southern blight than either continuous peanut without nematicide application or peanut without nematicide following 2 years of cotton. Peanut yield did not differ among rotations in either sample year. Effects of crop rotation on the microbial community structure associated with peanut were examined using indices for diversity, richness, and similarity derived from culture-based analyses. Continuous peanut supported a distinctly different rhizosphere bacterial microflora compared to peanut following 1 year of switchgrass, or continuous switchgrass. Richness and diversity indices for continuous peanut rhizosphere and geocarposphere were not consistently different from peanut following switchgrass, but always differed in the specific genera present. These shifts in community structure were associated with changes in parasitic nematode populations.

Root colonization of faba bean (Vicia faba L.) and pea (Pisum sativum L.) by Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. viciae in the presence of nitrate-nitrogen

There is a lack of knowledge concerning the effect of nitrate-nitrogen (NO3(-)-N) at levels known to inhibit nodule formation and functioning on root colonization of dinitrogen-fixing legumes. Firstly, this study investigated potential differences between Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. viciae 175F9 and its bioluminescent-labeled strain 175F9.lux on root colonization of faba bean (Vicia faba L.) and pea (Pisum sativum L.). These two strains similarly colonized the roots of both hosts. Secondly, this study evaluated the effects of 0 and 10 mol x m(-3) NO3(-)-N on root colonization of faba bean and pea by strain 175F9.lux, over time. Averaged over both hosts and harvest dates, the presence of NO3(-)-N increased the rhizobial population and the root length colonized. In addition, our results showed that bioluminescence activity increased from 7 to 14 days after sowing and was not correlated to rhizobial population. Finally, to demonstrate that an increase in bioluminescence activity was not an indirect effect of nitrate on R. leguminosarum bv. viciae 175F9.lux, this study investigated the effects of increasing carbon (mannitol) and nitrogen (NO3(-)-N) concentrations on the rhizobial population and bioluminescence activity. The carbon source was more important than the nitrogen source to increase the rhizobial population and bioluminescence activity, which increased with increasing mannitol concentration, but not with increasing nitrate concentration. Results from this study demonstrated that NO3(-)-N increased rhizobial population, especially for faba bean, and the length of root colonized.

Lack of Induced Systemic Resistance in Peanut to Late Leaf Spot Disease by Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria and Chemical Elicitors

A disease assay was optimized for late leaf spot disease of peanut using Cercosporidium per-sonatum in the greenhouse, and this assay was used in attempts to elicit induced systemic resistance using strains of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and chemical elicitors. Nineteen strains of spore-forming bacilli PGPR, including strains of Paenibacillus macerans, Brevibacillus brevis, Bacillus laterosporus, B. subtilis, B. pumilus, B. amyloliquefaciens, B. sphaericus, B. cereus, and B. pasteurii, which previously elicited systemic disease control activity on other crops, were evaluated in greenhouse assays. Seven PGPR strains elicited significant disease reduction in a single experiment; however, none repeated significant protection achieved in the greenhouse assay, while significant protection consistently occurred with the fungicide chlorothalonil (Bravo). In other greenhouse trials, neither stem injections of C. personatum nor foliar sprays of chemicals, including salicylic acid, sodium salicylate, isonicotinic acid, or benzo[1,2,3]thiadiazole-7-carbothioc acid S-methyl ester (Actigard), which elicit systemic acquired resistance on other crops, elicited significant disease protection. In contrast, foliar sprays with DL-β-amino-n-butyric acid (BABA), which is an elicitor of localized acquired resistance, resulted in significantly less late leaf spot disease in one of two tests. Combination treatments of four PGPR strains with BABA in the greenhouse did not significantly protect peanut from late leaf spot. Field trials conducted over two growing seasons indicated that none of the 19 PGPR strains, applied as seed treatments at two concentrations, significantly reduced late leaf spot disease. The same chemical elicitors tested in the greenhouse, including BABA, did not elicit significant disease protection. Some combinations of four PGPR and BABA significantly reduced the disease at one but not at two sample times. Collectively, these results suggest that late leaf spot resistance in peanut is not systemically inducible in the same manner as is resistance to diseases in other crops by PGPR and chemical inducers.

Role of iron in rhizobacteria-mediated induced systemic resistance of cucumber

ABSTRACT Seed treatment with the rhizosphere bacterium Serratia marcescens strain 90-166 suppressed anthracnose of cucumber, caused by Colleto-trichum orbiculare, through induced systemic resistance (ISR). When the iron concentration of a planting mix was decreased by addition of an iron chelator, suppression of cucumber anthracnose by strain 90-166 was significantly improved. Strain 90-166 produced 465 +/- 70 mg/liter of catechol siderophore, as determined by the Rioux assay in deferrated King's medium B. The hypothesis that a catechol siderophore produced by strain 90-166 may be responsible for induction of systemic resistance by this strain was tested by evaluating disease suppression by a mini-Tn5-phoA mutant deficient in siderophore production. Sequence analysis of genomic DNA flanking the mini-Tn5-phoA insertion identified the target gene as entA, which encodes an enzyme in the catechol siderophore biosynthetic pathways of several bacteria. Severity of anthracnose of cucumbers treated with the entA mutant was not significantly different (P = 0.05) from the control, whereas plants treated with wild-type 90-166 had significantly less disease (P = 0.05) than the control. Total (internal and external) population sizes of 90-166 and the entA mutant on roots did not differ significantly (P = 0.05) at any sample time, whereas internal population sizes of the entA mutant were significantly lower (P = 0.05) than those of the wild-type strain at two sampling times. These data suggest that catechol siderophore biosynthesis genes in Serratia marcescens 90-166 are associated with ISR but that this role may be indirect via a reduction in internal root populations.

Biocontrol of Cucumber Diseases in the Field by Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria With and Without Methyl Bromide Fumigation

Field trials were conducted in 1996 and 1997 to determine the effect of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) strains, which previously were found to induce systemic resistance in cucumber, on cucumber plant growth and on naturally occurring cucumber diseases with and without methyl bromide fumigation. Seven PGPR seed treatments included single-strain treatments and mixtures of Bacillus pumilus strain INR7, Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens strain ME1, and Bacillus subtilis strain GB03. In both years, in the absence of methyl bromide, all seven PGPR treatments significantly promoted plant growth, compared to the non-treated control, while with methyl bromide fumigation, only 3 and 1 of the same PGPR treatments promoted growth significantly in 1996 and 1997, respectively. In 1996, main runner length of plants in all seven PGPR treatments without fumigation was statistically equivalent to the main runner length of the nontreated control with methyl bromide fumigation. Naturally occurring foliar diseases were angular leaf spot, caused by Pseudomonas syringae pv. lachrymans in 1996, and a mixed infestation of angular leaf spot and anthracnose, caused by Colletotrichum orbiculare in 1997. In both years, all PGPR treatments significantly reduced severity of foliar disease, compared to the nontreated control, with and without methyl bromide. Mixtures of PGPR strains showed a higher level of disease protection in both years with and without methyl bromide. The results indicate that attempts to develop PGPR-mediated induced systemic resistance into components of vegetable integrated pest management should not be negatively impacted by the planned withdraw of MeBr from standard vegetable production and that PGPR may help compensate for reduced plant growth often seen without methyl bromide fumigation.

Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacterial Mediated Protection in Tomato Against Tomato mottle virus

Tomato plants treated with plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), applied as an industrially formulated seed treatment, a spore preparation mixed with potting medium (referred to as powder), or a combined seed-powder treatment, were evaluated under field conditions for induced resistance to Tomato mottle virus (ToMoV). The PGPR strains used, based on their ability to induce resistance in previous experiments, included Bacillus amyloliquefaciens 937a, B. subtilis 937b, and B. pumilus SE34. Experiments were conducted in the fall of 1997 and the spring and fall of 1998 at the University of Florida's Gulf Coast Research & Education Center, Bradenton. All plants were rated for symptoms and analyzed for the presence of ToMoV DNA at 40 days after transplant (dat). Whitefly densities were determined on individual plants in each trial, and marketable fruit yields were determined at least two times during each trial. The highest level of protection occurred in the fall 1997 trial when, at 40 dat, ToMoV disease severity ratings were significantly less in all PGPR powder-based treatments than in either of the seed or control treatments. Detection of viral DNA using Southern dot blot analyses correlated with symptom severity ratings, as did fruit yields. A reduction in ToMoV symptom severity ratings and incidence of viral DNA were also observed for some PGPR treatments in the spring 1998 trial, although corresponding yield responses were not apparent. Little or no resistance was observed in the fall 1998 trial. No differences in disease severity, detection of ToMoV DNA, or yield occurred among treatments in any of the trials at 80 dat. These data show that up to 40 dat under natural conditions of high levels of vector-virus pressure, some PGPR treatments resulted in reduced ToMoV incidence and disease severity and, in some cases, a corresponding increase in fruit yield. The use of PGPR could become a component of an integrated program for management of this virus in tomato.

Mixtures of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria enhance biological control of multiple cucumber pathogens

ABSTRACT Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) strains INR7 (Bacillus pumilus), GB03 (Bacillus subtilis), and ME1 (Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens) were tested singly and in combinations for biological control against multiple cucumber pathogens. Investigations under greenhouse conditions were conducted with three cucumber pathogens-Colletotrichum orbiculare (causing anthracnose), Pseudomonas syringae pv. lachrymans (causing angular leaf spot), and Erwinia tracheiphila(causing cucurbit wilt disease)-inoculated singly and in all possible combinations. There was a general trend across all experiments toward greater suppression and enhanced consistency against multiple cucumber pathogens using strain mixtures. The same three PGPR strains were evaluated as seed treatments in two field trials over two seasons, and two strains, IN26 (Burkholderia gladioli) and INR7 also were tested as foliar sprays in one of the trials. In the field trials, the efficacy of induced systemic resistance activity was determined against introduced cucumber pathogens naturally spread within plots through placement of infected plants into the field to provide the pathogen inoculum. PGPR-mediated disease suppression was observed against angular leaf spot in 1996 and against a mixed infection of angular leaf spot and anthracnose in 1997. The three-way mixture of PGPR strains (INR7 plus ME1 plus GB03) as a seed treatment showed intensive plant growth promotion and disease reduction to a level statistically equivalent to the synthetic elicitor Actigard applied as a spray.

Comparative analysis of antibiotic resistance, immunofluorescent colony staining, and a transgenic marker (bioluminescence) for monitoring the environmental fate of rhizobacterium

Field releases of the wild-type plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium Pseudomonas fluorescens 89B-27, its bioluminescent derivative GEM-8 (89B-27::Tn4431), and a spontaneous rifampin-resistant variant estimating the wild-type population. Seed and root samples were taken 0, 7, 14, 21, or 28, 35 or 42, and 70 days after planting in each year and processed for enumeration by spiral plating or immunofluorescent colony staining (IFC). In both years, the populations of 89B-27, R34, and GEM-8, as measured by IFC, were not significantly different (P > 0.05) from each other at each sampling time. However, the populations of R34 and GEM-8, as measured by spiral plating and differentiation based on their respective phenotypes, were significantly lower (P < 0.05) than the wild-type populations and their IFC-determined populations. These data indicate that traditional marker systems may underestimate populations and hence the survival and colonization of genetically marked bacteria.

Bacterial communities of the rhizosphere and endorhiza associated with field-grown cucumber plants inoculated with a plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium or its genetically modified derivative

The future use of genetically modified microorganisms in the environment will be dependent on the ability to asses potential or theoretical risks associated with their introduction into natural ecosystems. To assess potential risks, several ecological parameters must be examined, including the impact of the introduced genetically modified organism on the microbial communities associated with the environment into which the introduction will occur. A 2-year field study was established to examine whether the indigenous bacterial communities of the rhizosphere and endorhiza (internal root tissues) were affected differently by the introduction of an unaltered wild type and its genetically modified derivative. Treatments consisted of the wild-type strain Pseudomonas fluorescens 89B-27 and a bioluminescent derivative GEM-8 (89B-27::Tn4431). Cucumber root or seed samples were taken 0, 7, 14, 21, 35, and 70 days after planting (DAP) in 1994 and 0, 7, 14, 28, 42, and 70 DAP in 1995. Samples were processed to examine the bacterial communities of both the rhizosphere ad endorhiza. Over 7200 bacterial colonies were isolated from the rhizosphere Community structure at the genus level was assessed using genera richness and Hill's diversity numbers, N1 and N2. The aerobic-heterotrophic bacterial community structure at the genus level did not significantly vary between treatments but did differ temporally. The data indicate that the introduction of the genetically modified derivative of 89B-27 did not pose a greater environmental risk than its unaltered wild type with respect to aerobic-heterotrophic bacterial community structure.

Root colonization of maize and lettuce by bioluminescent Rhizobium leguminosarum biovar phaseoli

Two strains of Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. phaseoli and three other plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) were examined for the potential of maize and lettuce root colonization. All of these strains were selected in vitro for their phosphate-solubilizing abilities. Maize and lettuce seeds were treated with derivatives of all strains marked with lux genes for bioluminescence and resistance to kanamycin and rifampin prior to planting in nonsterile Promix and natural soil. The introduced bacterial strains were quantified on roots by dilution plating on antibiotic media together with observation of bioluminescence. Rhizobia were superior colonizers compared with other tested bacteria; rhizobial root populations averaged log 4.1 CFU/g (fresh weight) on maize roots 4 weeks after seeding and log 3.7 CFU/g (fresh weight) on lettuce roots 5 weeks after seeding. The average populations of the recovered PGPR strains were log 3.5 and log 3.0 CFU/g (fresh weight) on maize and lettuce roots, respectively. One of the three PGPR was not recovered later than the first week after seeding in Promix. Bioluminescence also permitted visualization of in situ root colonization in rhizoboxes and demonstrated the efficiency of rhizobial strains to colonize and survive on maize and lettuce roots.

Population dynamics of endophytic bacteria in field-grown sweet corn and cotton

Investigations were designed to gain fundamental information on the microbial ecology of endophytic bacteria in model dicotyledonous and monocotyledonous hosts. Population dynamics of indigenous endophytic bacteria in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L. 'DES119') and sweet corn (Zea mays L. 'Silver Queen') stems and roots were studied in a 2-year field trial by quantifying culturable bacteria at intervals during the season on three media: R2A, medium SC, and tryptic soy agar. Population dynamics of endophytic bacteria inside cotton petioles and bolls were also determined in 1 year. Endophytes were recovered from sweet corn roots and stems at seedling emergence at mean population densities of 4 log (colony-forming units per gram fresh weight (cfu/g-fw)) for both seasons, and were present throughout most of the growing season at populations ranging from 4 to 6 log(cfu/g-fw) in 1990 and 4 to 7 log(cfu/g-fw) in 1991. Endophytic bacteria were also present at emergence in cotton roots and stems in 1991 but were not detected until 2 days after emergence in 1990. Endophytic populations in cotton roots ranged from 4 to 6 log(cfu/g-fw) for most of the growing season in 1990 and 1991, while populations in cotton stems fluctuated between 3 and 7 log(cfu/g-fw) during both seasons. In cotton petioles, mean populations generally ranged from 1 to 4 log(cfu/g-fw), while no endophytic bacteria were recovered from bolls (minimum detectable limit = 1.30 log(cfu/g-fw)). The relative contribution of seeds and soil as sources of endophytic bacteria recovered from inside plants was assessed using surface-disinfested seed in a potting mix or on water–agar. With sweet corn, the mean endophytic bacterial population in seedlings grown on water agar was below 2 log(cfu/g-fw), while with cotton the mean was 5 log(cfu/g-fw) 6 days after germination. Internal populations resulting from surface-disinfested seed planted in nonsterile potting mix were 6 log(cfu/g-fw) at 6 days after planting with corn but only 2 log(cfu/g-fw) with cotton. These results indicate that endophytic bacteria are natural inhabitants of internal regions of roots and stems and that the endophytes may arise from both seeds and soils.Key words: cotton, sweet corn, endophytes, colonization.

Luminometric analyses of plant root colonization by bioluminescent pseudomonads

Bioluminescence was used to study root colonization in nonsterile soil by Tn5-luxAB mutants of four Pseudomonas sp. strains. These bioluminescent strains colonized cucumber, cotton, maize, and soybean roots following seed treatment. In general, there were significant interactions between host and strain. Soybean and cucumber supported the best bacterial colonization, followed by maize and cotton. Across all crops, the best colonizing strains were GR7.4L and GR20.5L, with mean populations of about log 6.0 (colony-forming units + 1)/root system, followed by strains 61.9A.3L and 86.139LR with mean populations of about log 5.0 and 4.5 (colony-forming units + 1)/root system, respectively. The Lux+ strains colonized abundantly the upper root system, while their populations decreased progressively down the root system, and their root-tip populations were independent of mean populations at the crown and middle-root segments. Bioluminescence was observed visually from colonies growing on selective media and photometrically on roots with a luminometer and a charge-coupled device camera. Embedding roots, in situ root luminometer readings, and root-imaging techniques were less sensitive for detecting bacteria on roots than dilution-plating and broth enrichment techniques using selective media. The number of bacteria and competition with other rhizosphere microorganisms affected the sensitivity of the technique used. Selective broth enrichment was less time consuming than the dilution-plating technique. Bioluminescence is a simple and fast method to evaluate colonization of roots by bacteria.Key words: genetic marker, bioluminescence, lux genes, root colonization, Pseudomonas sp.

A review of issues related to measuring colonization of plant roots by bacteria

Root colonization by introduced bacteria is an important step in the interaction of beneficial bacteria with the host plant. Investigators attempting to measure root colonization by bacteria must face several issues. A clear concept or definition of root colonization should be stated in each research summary, as several different definitions have been proposed. We consider true root colonists to be those bacteria that colonize roots in competitive conditions, i.e., natural field soils. Different methods of processing root samples are required if one is measuring external root colonization alone, internal colonization alone, or both. Given that most beneficial bacterial strains currently under investigation as root colonists are members of taxa naturally found in soils, a marking system is required to differentiate the introduced strain from members of the indigenous rhizosphere community. Spontaneous antibiotic resistance, immunological approaches, and foreign DNA sequences are among the marking systems that have been used and each has some possible advantages and disadvantages. More research is needed in the development and comparison of marking systems. The design of experiments to measure root colonization should take into account several statistical issues. One must decide what constitutes the sample unit for each replication of a given treatment, e.g., whole root systems or root segments. Consideration should also be given to how best to express the estimated population of root colonists (e.g., cfu/g fresh or dry weight root, cfu/cm root, or cfu/surface area root). Statistical analysis by standard analysis of variance tests should be used whenever possible to separate treatment means of colonization levels; however, one must determine that the underlying assumptions of these tests are correct for each experiment. Finally, in quantification of populations on roots, one will almost certainly encounter replications with no bacteria, i.e., zeros. There are several options for how to calculate treatment means when one or more replications is a zero, and the implications of these options are discussed. Key words: bioluminescence, genetic markers, plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria, rhizosphere bacteria, root, colonization.

Use of bioluminescence for detection of genetically engineered microorganisms released into the environment

The persistence and movement of strain JS414 of Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris, which was genetically engineered to bioluminesce, were monitored during a limited field introduction. Bioluminescence and traditional dilution plate counts were determined. Strain JS414 was applied to cabbage plants and surrounding soil by mist inoculation, by wound inoculation, by scattering infested debris among plants, and by incorporating bacteria into the soil. Bioluminescent X. campestris pv. campestris was detected in plant samples and in the rhizosphere up to 6 weeks after inoculation. Movement to uninoculated plants was detected on one occasion, but movement from the immediate release area was not detected. Strain JS414 was detected in soil samples beneath mist- and wound-inoculated plants only at intentionally infested locations and in aerial samples only on the day of inoculation. Our bioluminescence methods proved to be as sensitive as plating methods for detecting the genetically engineered microorganisms in environmental samples. Our results demonstrate that transgenic incorporation of the luxCDABE operon provides a non-labor-intensive, sensitive detection method for monitoring genetically engineered microorganisms in nature.

Compatibility of plant growth promoting rhizobacterial strains with agrichemicals applied to seed

The compatibility of a select group of plant growth promoting rhizobacterial strains with chemicals commonly used as seed treatments was investigated. Strains in several genera (Serratia, Pseudomonas, and coryneform-like bacteria) were found to be tolerant to Vitavax RS (containing lindane, carboxin, and thiram), Epic (iprodione), and (or) captan tested in vitro at commercial rates. Six of 10 strains survived equally, and exhibited similar root colonization, on Vitavax RS treated and nontreated seed. Four of seven strains tested (Serratia spp. and P. fluorescens) were likewise found to be compatible with a captan seed treatment on supersweet corn, using the same criteria. Ability of bacteria to grow on pesticide-amended media did not always indicate compatibility with chemical seed treatments in vivo. A greenhouse study demonstrated that enhanced emergence occurred with the coryneform-like strain 44-9 on Vitavax RS treated canola seed grown under conditions favoring disease due to Rhizoctonia solani. The ability to combine plant growth promoting rhizobacterial strains with current agrichemicals for plant growth stimulation and disease control is indicated. Key words: pesticide compatibility, Pseudomonas, agrichemicals, Serratia, damping-off, plant growth promoting rhizobacteria.

Comparative analysis of five methods for recovering rhizobacteria from cotton roots

A variety of methods have been used for recovering introduced bacteria from plant roots. The objective of this study was to compare systematically five methods: agitation in buffer, agitation with glass beads in buffer, mixing in a StomacherR lab-blender, sonication, and trituration with mortar and pestle. Cotton seeds were treated with two previously reported rhizobacterial strains, Pseudomonas fluorescens strain Pf-5 and Bacillus subtilis strain GB03. The efficiency of recovery by each method was determined 3 weeks later by comparing average bacterial populations from whole root systems, single 2.0-cm root segments, and two root regions (the uppermost 5 cm of taproot and the lowermost 5 cm). Treatment with the StomacherR blender yielded significantly higher (P = 0.05) mean populations of GB03 compared with all other methods and significantly higher mean populations of Pf-5 compared with agitation with glass beads. From the lowermost 5 cm of taproot, populations of Pf-5 recovered by the StomacherR treatment were significantly higher than all other methods. The inclusion of glass beads for agitation treatments resulted in neither consistently higher absolute numbers of recovered bacteria nor reductions in variability. The mean standard error of each recovery method varied among root sources, and no single method consistently had the highest or lowest mean standard error. Mean standard errors for strain GB03 were generally lower than those for Pf-5 with each root source and each method of recovery. When viewed in composite, the data suggest that the StomacherR treatment was the best for recovering the greatest absolute numbers of rhizobacteria; however, this treatment had high mean standard errors. Investigations of root colonization by introduced rhizobacteria should include several recovery methods to optimize recovered numbers or to decrease variability, depending on the experimental objectives. Key words: root colonization, rhizobacteria, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Bacillus subtilis, cotton.

Frequent occurrence of the ability to utilize octopine in rhizobacteria

Over 200 strains of root-colonizing bacteria were tested for opine catabolism. Of these, 12% utilized octopine, 9% catabolized octopinic acid, and <1% used succinamopine. None grew on mannopine or nopaline. Most of the octopine and octopinic acid utilizers were pseudomonads. Only one Gram-positive bacterium used succinamopine. No strains of Serratia, Enterobacter, Aeromonas, or Bacillus catabolized an opine. All bacteria that were isolated from roots of arctic plants and selected for dinitrogen fixation utilized octopine after enrichment cycles with malate. Malate and glucose were compared for their ability to amplify, when used as selective substrates, the fraction of opine utilizers initially present in a plant sample. With this approach, <5% of 401 rhizobacteria tested utilized octopine, octopinic acid, or both opines. The opine-catabolizing strains belonged to the families Rhizobiaceae and Pseudomonadaceae and to the genera Alcaligenes and Flavobacterium. The relative effect of malate and glucose in the enrichment for opine utilizers varied according to the origin of the sample. In this study, octopine and to a lesser extent octopinic acid were recognized as substrates that were more commonly utilized by rhizobacteria than other opines. These results demonstrate that opine catabolism is not restricted to the genus Agrobacterium. Key words: octopine, rhizobacteria, Pseudomonadaceae, Alcaligenes, Flavobacterium.

Growth promotion of canola (rapeseed) seedlings by a strain of Pseudomonas putida under gnotobiotic conditions

Inoculation of canola (Brassica campestris) seeds with a nitrogen-fixing strain of Pseudomonas putida (GR12-2) drastically increased the root length of seedlings grown in sterile growth pouches. Seed inoculation with inactive bacteria did not affect root lengths. Root elongation capacity was retained by nonnitrogen-fixing mutants of strain GR12-2. On the other hand, two other wild-type pseudomonads that do not fix nitrogen also increased root elongation. The addition of mineral nitrogen to the growth solution at concentrations of 1 mM or higher significantly inhibited root elongation of either inoculated or noninoculated seedlings. On the other hand, the addition of phosphate to the growth solution at similar concentrations stimulated root elongation of inoculated and noninoculated seedlings. The combined effects of bacterial inoculation and addition of phosphate on root and shoot elongation and on root and shoot weight were additive. Seed inoculation with P. putida GR12-2 increased the uptake of labelled phosphorus (32P) by seedlings grown in growth pouches and also enhanced the shoot elongation of seedlings grown in sterile soil. The capacity of P. putida GR12-2 to enhance phosphate uptake and to promote plant growth under gnotobiotic conditions may open the door to a new direction in the development of plant growth promoting inoculants.

Measuring the spermosphere colonizing capacity (spermosphere competence) of bacterial inoculants

Spermosphere establishment by bacteria which were coated onto seeds was studied using soybean seeds treated with four bacterial strains at levels of log10 1 to 4 colony-forming units (cfu) per seed planted in a field soil mix, and incubated 48 h. Each strain at every inoculum level developed spermosphere population densities of log10 4 to 8 cfu/seed, demonstrating an average multiplication of log10 3 cfu/seed. An alternative method was developed to differentially rank bacteria for spermosphere colonizing capacity, based upon incorporation of bacteria into a soil and monitoring the resulting spermosphere population densities around noninoculated seeds after 4 days at 14 degrees C. Fifty-seven bacterial strains which were isolated from soybean roots or from water samples, including Pseudomonas putida, P. putida biovar B, P. fluorescens, Serratia liquefaciens, Enterobacter aerogenes, and Bacillus spp. were tested in the spermosphere colonization assay. Average spermosphere population densities for the 57 strains ranged from 0 to log10 7.0 cfu/seed. Strains of a given taxon demonstrated marked diversity with ranges from 0 to log10 6.0 cfu/seed for Bacillus spp. and from log10 1.4 to 7.0 cfu/seed for Pseudomonas putida. The relative ranking of representative strains was consistent in repeating experiments. The potential usefulness of the assay for efforts to develop competitive bacterial inoculants for crop seeds is discussed.