Fig. 1.

Effect of dehydration on P. fluorescens Pf0-1 fitness in soil. Five gram soil samples were hydrated to 50 % WHC and inoculated with Pf0-1. After 2 days, samples were dried to adjust the degree of hydration to WHC of 20, 30 and 40 %. Control samples were left at 50 % WHC. The population of Pf0-1 in experimental and control samples was determined immediately after treatment (day 0), and 1, 3 and 5 days post dehydration. Experiments were carried out at least three times. Data were analysed using one-way ANOVA with Tukey’s multiple comparison test. Error bars show standard error.