Survival of Microorganisms in Nature.
Abstract
A new, non-obligate system of bacterial predation on bacteria in soil was discovered. The predators comprising this system were a genetically unstable strain of Streptomyces venezuelae; a new kind of budding bacterium (now designated as Ensifer adhaerens, gen. n., sp. n.); and a myxobacterium. The natural population of these organisms in soil is attracted to and rapidly destroys (lyses) added Micrococcus luteus cells. There is also attack of predator on predator in this system. The transitory myceloid stage that occurs in the pleomorphic growth cycle of various Arthrobacter species was expanded (by manganese removal) so that it became the main form of growth. This stage was found to be more sensitive to bacteriophage attack than were the other growth stages. A new procedure for isolating Arthrobacter sp. bacteriophage from soil was developed for these studies. It was found that the encystment of Azotobacter vinelandii does not require prior intracellular production of poly-Beta-hydroxybutyrate, and that it is triggered by hypoxanthine. The human pathogen, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, was found to survive well in soil. It did not utilize pyocyanin production for this but, instead, went into a cell dormancy state with some of the characteristics of a cyst. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 07, 1982
- Accession Number
- ADA113785
Entities
People
- L. E. Casida Jr
Organizations
- Pennsylvania State University