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. 1991 Dec;57(12):3482–3488. doi: 10.1128/aem.57.12.3482-3488.1991

Detection of Plasmid Transfer from Pseudomonas fluorescens to Indigenous Bacteria in Soil by Using Bacteriophage φR2f for Donor Counterselection

Eric Smit 1,*, Jan D van Elsas 1, Johannes A van Veen 1, Willem M de Vos 1
PMCID: PMC184000  PMID: 16348599

Abstract

The transfer of a genetically marked derivative of plasmid RP4, RP4p, from Pseudomonas fluorescens to members of the indigenous microflora of the wheat rhizosphere was studied by using a bacteriophage that specifically lyses the donor strain and a specific eukaryotic marker on the plasmid. Transfer of RP4p to the wheat rhizosphere microflora was observed, and the number of transconjugants detected was approximately 103 transconjugants per g of soil when 107 donor cells per g of soil were added; transfer in the corresponding bulk soil was slightly above the limit of detection. All of the indigenous transconjugants which we analyzed contained a 60-kb plasmid and were able to transfer this plasmid to a Nxr RprP. fluorescens recipient strain. The indigenous transconjugants were identified as belonging to Pseudomonas spp., Enterobacter spp., Comamonas spp., and Alcaligenes spp.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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