Respiratory activity of a genetically engineered pseudomonas fluorescens ‐ peat mixture introduced into agricultural soil

Abstract

A genetically engineered Pseudomonas fluorescens C5t strain was introduced as a mixture of cells and nonsierile peat into 300 g of nonsterile agricultural sandy loam soil contained in 1‐L flask microcosms. A freshly prepared P. fluorescens and peat mixture exhibited markedly higher respiratory activity and survival over a 28‐day period than a similar mixture which was aged 1 week at 20 °C prior to being inoculated into soil. The soil microcosm used in this study allowed the rapid assessment of both respiratory activity and bacterial survival. These findings may be important when developing an appropriate system to deliver a bacterial strain into the soil environment.