Contaminants of plant-tissue and cell cultures

  • C. Leifert
  • J. Y. Ritchie
  • W. M. Waites
Review
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:

Abstract

This review describes (1) bacteria, yeasts, fungi, thrips and mites found as contaminants and their effect on plants growing in vitro; (2) methods used for detecting such contaminants and the sources of contamination; and (3) methods for their prevention and/or elimination.

Keywords

Cell Culture Environmental Biotechnology 
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in to check access.

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. Abdul-Baki A.A. Hypochlorite and tissue sterilisation. Planta 115, 373–376.Google Scholar
  2. Agrios G.N. 1978 Plant pathology. New York/London: Academic Press.Google Scholar
  3. Anonymous 1978 Standard methods for the examination of Dairy Products, 14th ed. Washington, DC: American Public Health Association Inc.Google Scholar
  4. Anonymous 1980 Standard methods for the examination of water and waste water, 15th ed. Washington, DC: American Public Health Association Inc.Google Scholar
  5. Bakker A.W. & Schippers B. 1987. Microbial cyanide production in the rhizosphere in relation to potato yield reduction and Pseudomonas spp.—mediated plant growth stimulation. Soil Biology and Biochemistry 19, 451–457.Google Scholar
  6. Bastiaens L. 1983 Endogenous bacteria in plants and their implications in tissue culture—a review. Mededelingen van de Faculteit Landbouwettenschappen Rijksuniversiteit Gent 48, 1–11.Google Scholar
  7. Bastiaens L., Maene L., Harbaoui Y., Van Sumere C., Van de Casteele K.L. & Debergh P.C. 1983 The influence of antibacterial products on plant tissue cultures. Mededelingen van de Faculteit Landbouwettenschappen Rijksuniversiteit Gent 48, 13–24.Google Scholar
  8. Blake J. 1988 Mites and thrips as bacterial and fungal vectors between plant tissue cultures. Acta Horticulturae 225, 163–166.Google Scholar
  9. Bové J.M. 1988 Plant mollicutes: phloem-restricted agents and surface contaminants. Acta Horticulturae 225, 215–223.Google Scholar
  10. Boxus Ph. & Terzi J.M. 1987 Big losses due to bacterial contamination can be avoided in mass propagation scheme. Acta Horticulturae 212, 91–93.Google Scholar
  11. Boxus Ph. & Terzi J.M. 1988 Control of accidental contamination during mass propagation. Acta Horticulturae 225, 189–193.Google Scholar
  12. Brazis A.R., Leslie J.E., Kabler P.W. & Woodward B.L. 1958. The inactivation of spores of Bacillus globigii and Bacillus anthracis by free available chlorine. Applied Microbiology 6, 338–342.Google Scholar
  13. Brian P.W., 1957 Effects of antibiotics on plants. Annual Review of Plant Pathology 8, 413–426.Google Scholar
  14. Cassells A.C. 1983 Chemical control of virus diseases of plants. Progress in Medical Chemistry 21, 119–155.Google Scholar
  15. Cassells A.C. 1986 Production of healthy plants. In Proceedings of the Institute of Horticulture Symposium: Micropropagation in Horticulture, ed. Alderson P.G. & Dullforce W.M. pp. 53–71. Nottingham: University of Nottingham Trent Print Unit.Google Scholar
  16. Cassells A.C., Harmey M.A., Carney B.F., McCarthy E. & McHugh A. 1988 Problems posed by cultivable bacterial endophytes in the establishment of axenic cultures of Pelargonium domesticum: the use of Xanthomonas pelargonii-specific ELISA, DNA probes and culture indexing in the screening of antibiotic treated and untreated donor plants. Acta Horticulturae 225, 153–161.Google Scholar
  17. Cassells A.C. 1990 Problems in tissue culture: culture contamination. In Micropropagation, ed. Debergh P. & Zimmerman R.H. (in press). Dordrecht: Kluwer Academic Publishers.Google Scholar
  18. Cassells A.C. 1991 Screening for pathogens and contaminating micro-organisms in micropropagation. In Techniques for Detection and Diagnosis in Plant Pathology, ed. Duncan J.M. & Torrance L. (in press). London: Butterworth.Google Scholar
  19. Claus D. & Berkeley R.C.W. 1986 Description of the Genus Bacillus. In Bergey's Manual of Systematic Bacteriology, 9th Edition, Vol. 2. ed. Sneath P.H.A., Mair N.S., Sharpe M.E. & Holt J.G. pp. 1105–1139. Baltimore/London: Williams and Wilkins.Google Scholar
  20. Constantine D.R., Wiltshire S. & Beddows C. 1980 Contamination of cultures (abstract). Long Ashton Research Station Reports 1979, 74.Google Scholar
  21. Cooke, D.L., Leifert, C., Waites, B., Keetley, J.W., Nicholas, J.R. & Waites, W.M. 1991 Effect of plant pathogenic bacteria on micropropagated Aster, Cherianthus, Delphinium Iris and Rose. Plant Cell Tissue and Organ Culture (submitted).Google Scholar
  22. Cornu D. & Michel M.F. 1987 Bacteria contaminants in shoot cultures of Prunus avium L. choice and phytotoxicity of antibiotics. Acta Horticulturae 212, 83–86.Google Scholar
  23. Darvill A.G. & Albersheim P. 1984 Phytoalexins and their elicitors—A defence against microbial infection in plants. Annual Review of Plant Physiology 35, 243–275.Google Scholar
  24. Davis R.E. 1980 Spiroplasma and mycoplasma-like organisms. In Identification of Plant Pathogenic Bacteria, ed. Schaad N.W. pp. 57–66. St Paul: American Phytopathological Society.Google Scholar
  25. Deans S.G. & Svoboda K.P. 1988a Antibacterial activity of French tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus Linn.) essential oil and its constituents during ontogeny. Journal of Horticultural Science 63, 503–508.Google Scholar
  26. Deans S.G. & Svoboda K.P. 1988b Antibacterial activity of Summer savory (Satureja hortensis L.) essential oil and its constituents during ontogeny. Journal of Horticultural Science 64, 205–210.Google Scholar
  27. Debergh P. & Maene L. 1984 Pathological and physiological problems related to the in vitro culture of plants. Parasitica 40, 69–75.Google Scholar
  28. Debergh P.C. & Vanderschaeghe A.M. 1988 Some symptoms indicating the presence of bacterial contaminants in plant tissue cultures. Acta Horticulturae 225, 77–83.Google Scholar
  29. De Fossard R.A. 1990 Micropropagation. Queensland: Xarma Pty Ltd.Google Scholar
  30. Deimling G. & Möllers C. 1988 Aseptic handling of potato material during protoplast isolation and regeneration. Acta Horticulturae 225, 209–215.Google Scholar
  31. Duhem K., Le Mercier N. & Boxus P.H. 1988 Difficulties in the establishment of axenic in vitro cultures of field collected coffee and cacao germ plasm. Acta Horticulturae 225, 67–77.Google Scholar
  32. Enjalric F., Carron M.P. & Lardet L. 1988 Contamination of primary cultures in tropical areas: The case of Hevea brasiliensis. Acta Horticulturae 225, 57–65.Google Scholar
  33. Falkiner F.R. 1990 The criteria for choosing an antibiotic for control of bacteria in plant tissue culture. International Association for Plant Tissue Culture Newsletter 60, 13–23.Google Scholar
  34. Fennemore P.G. 1984 Plant Pests and their Control. London/Boston: Butterworth.Google Scholar
  35. Fisse J., Batalle A. & Pera J. 1987 Endogenous bacteria elimination in ornamental plants. Acta Horticulturae 212, 87–90.Google Scholar
  36. George E.F. & Sherrington P.D. 1984 Plant propagation by tissue culture pp. 88–93. Eversley, Basingstoke: Exegetics Ltd.Google Scholar
  37. Gilbert J.E., Shohet S., Caligari P.D.S. & Dunwell J.M. 1990 Detection and elimination of latent bacteria in potato cultures. In Abstracts VIIth International Congress on Plant Tissue and Cell culture, ed. Nijkamp H.J.J., Van der Plas L.H.W. & Van Aartrijk J. p. 380. Dordrecht: Kluwer Academic Publishers.Google Scholar
  38. Grierson D. & Covey S. 1984 Plant Molecular Biology. Glasgow/London: Blackie.Google Scholar
  39. Hennerty M.J., Upton M.E., Furlong P.A., Harris D.P., James D.J. & Eaton R.A. 1988 Microbial contamination of in vitro cultures of apple rootstocks M26 and M9. Acta Horticulturae 225, 129–139.Google Scholar
  40. Hill S.A. 1984 Methods in Plant Virology. Oxford/London: Blackwell Scientific Publications.Google Scholar
  41. Hoffman P.N., Death J.E. & Coates D. 1981 The stability of sodium hypochlorite solutions. In Disinfectants: Their use and evaluation of effectiveness, pp. 77–83. London/New York: Academic Press.Google Scholar
  42. Hoffman G.M. & Schmutterer H. 1983 Parasitäre Krankheiten und Schädlinge an landwirtschaftlichen Kulturplflanzen. Stuttgart: Eugen Ulmer Verlag.Google Scholar
  43. Hopkins D.L. 1980 Rickettsia-like Bacteria (RLB). In Identification of Plant Pathogenic Bacteria, ed. Schaad N.W. pp. 55–56. St. Paul: American Phytopathological Society.Google Scholar
  44. Horsch R.B. & King J. 1983 A covert contaminant of cultured plant cells: elimination of a Hyphomicrobium spp. from cultures of Datura innoxia (Mill.). Plant Cell Tissue Organ Culture 2, 21–28.Google Scholar
  45. Hurley R. 1980 The pathogenic Candida species and diseases caused by Candidas in man. In Biology and Activities of Yeasts, ed. Skinner F.S., Passmore S.M. & Davenport R.R. London/New York: Academic Press.Google Scholar
  46. Klocke J.A. & Myers P. 1984 Chemical control of thrips on cultured Simmondsia chinensis (Jojoba) shoots. Horticultural Science 19, 400.Google Scholar
  47. Kloos W.E. & Schleifer K.H. 1986 Description of the genus Staphylococcus. In Bergey's Manual of Systematic Bacteriology, 9th Edition, Vol. 2, ed. Sneath P.H.A., Mair N.S., Sharpe M.E. & Holt J.G. pp. 1209–1235. Baltimore/London: Williams and Wilkins.Google Scholar
  48. Knauss J.F. 1976 A tissue culture method for producing Dieffenbachia picta CV. ‘Perfection’ free of fungi and bacteria. Proceedings of the Florida State Horticultural Society 89, 293–295.Google Scholar
  49. Knauss J.F. & Miller J.M. 1978 A contaminant, Erwinia carotovora, affecting commercial plant tissue cultures. In Vitro 14, 754–756.Google Scholar
  50. Kocur M. 1986 Description of the species of the genus Micrococcus. In Bergey's Manual of Systematic Bacteriology, 9th Edition, Vol. 2, ed. Sneath P.H.A., Mair N.S., Sharpe M.E. & Holt J.G. pp. 1004–1008. Baltimore/London: Williams and Wilkins.Google Scholar
  51. Krieg N.R. & Holt J.G. 1984 Bergey's Manual of Systematic Bacteriology 9th Edition, Vol. 1. Baltimore/London: Williams and Wilkins.Google Scholar
  52. Kunneman B.P.A.M. & Faaij-Groenen G.P.M. 1988 Elimination of bacterial contaminants: a matter of detection and transplanting procedures. Acta Horticulturae 225, 183–189.Google Scholar
  53. Leggatt I., Waites W.M., Leifert C. & Nicholas J.R. 1988 Characterisation of micro-organisms isolated from plants during micropropagation. Acta Horticulturae 225, 93–102.Google Scholar
  54. Leifert C., Waites W.M. & Nicholas J.R. 1989a Bacterial contaminants of micropropagated plant cultures. Journal of Applied Bacteriology 67, 353–361.Google Scholar
  55. Leifert C., Waites W.M., Camotta H. & Nicholas J.R. 1989b Lactobacillus plantarum; a deleterious contaminant of plant tissue culture. Journal of Applied Bacteriology 67, 363–370.Google Scholar
  56. Leifert, C. 1990 Contaminants of plant tissue cultures. PhD thesis, Nottingham University, School of Agriculture.Google Scholar
  57. Leifert C. & Waites W.M. 1990a Contaminants of plant tissue cultures. International Association for Plant Tissue Culture Newsletter 60, 2–13.Google Scholar
  58. Leifert C. & Waites W.M. 1990b Bacteria and yeasts; important contaminants in micropropagated plant cultures. Abstracts VIIth International Congress on Plant Tissue and Cell Culture ed. Nijkamp H.J.J., Van der Plas L.H.W. & Van Aartrijk J. p. 112. Dordrecht: Kluwer Academic Publishers.Google Scholar
  59. Leifert C., Waites W.M., Nicholas J.R. & Keetley J.W. 1990 Yeast contaminants of micropropagated plant cultures. Journal of Applied Bacteriology 69, 471–476.Google Scholar
  60. Leifert, C., Camotta, H., Wright, S.M., Waites, B., Cheyne, V.A. & Waites, W.M. 1991a Elimination of bacteria from micropropagated plant cultures using antibiotics. Journal of Applied Bacteriology (submitted).Google Scholar
  61. Leifert, C., Keetley, J.W., Camotta, H. & Waites, W.M. 1991b Effect of antibiotics on micropropagated plants. Plant Cell Tissue and Organ Culture (submitted).Google Scholar
  62. Long R.D., Curtin T.F. & Cassells A.C. 1988 An investigation of the effects of bacterial contaminants on potato nodal cultures. Acta Horticulturae 225, 83–91.Google Scholar
  63. Lynch J.M. 1976 Products of soil microorganisms in relation to plant growth. CRC Critical Review of Microbiology 5, 67–107.Google Scholar
  64. Lynch J.M. 1977 Phytotoxicity of acetic acid produced in the anaerobic decomposition of wheat straw. Journal of Applied Bacteriology 42, 81–87.Google Scholar
  65. Lynch J.M. 1978 Production and phytotoxicity of acetic acid in anaerobic soils containing plant residues. Soil Biology and Biochemistry 10, 131–3.Google Scholar
  66. Mathews H. 1988 In vitro responses of Brassica juncea and Vigna radiata to the antibiotic Kanamycin. Annals of Botany 62, 671–675.Google Scholar
  67. Mathias P.J., Alderson P.G. & Leakey R.R.B. 1987 Bacterial contamination in tropical hardwood cultures. Acta Horticulturae 212, 43–49.Google Scholar
  68. Menard D., Coumans M. & Gaspar Th. 1985 Micropropagation du Pelargonium a partir de meristemes. Mededelingen van de Faculteit Landbouwettenschappen Rijksuniversiteit Gent 50, 327–331.Google Scholar
  69. Mengel K. 1984 Ernährung und Stoffwechsel der Pflanze. Stuttgart: Gustav Fischer Verlag.Google Scholar
  70. Mersch-Sundermann V. 1889 Medizinische Microbiologie für MTA. Stuttgart/New York: Georg Thieme Verlag.Google Scholar
  71. Möllers C. & Sarkar S. 1989 Regeneration of healthy plants from Cataranthus roseus infected with mycoplasma-like organisms through callus culture. Plant Science 60, 83–89.Google Scholar
  72. Murashige T. and Skoog F. 1962 A revised medium for rapid growth and bioassays with tobacco tissue cultures. Physiologia Plantarum 15, 473–497.Google Scholar
  73. Onions A.H.S. 1990 Prevention of mites in cultures. World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology 6, 219–221.Google Scholar
  74. Owens L.D. 1979 Kanamycin promotes morphogenesis of plant tissues. Plant Science Letters 16, 225–230.Google Scholar
  75. Palleroni N.J. 1984 Description of the species of the genus Pseudomonas. In Bergey's Manual of Systematic Bacteriology, 9th Edition, Vol. 1, ed. Krieg N.R. & Holt J.G. pp. 141–199. Baltimore/London: Williams and Wilkins.Google Scholar
  76. Phillips R., Arnott S.N. & Kaptan S.E. 1981 Antibiotics in plant tissue culture: Rifampicin effectively controls bacterial contaminants without affecting the growth of short-term explant cultures of Helianthus tuberosus. Plant Science Letters 21, 235–240.Google Scholar
  77. Podwyszynska M. & Hempel M. 1987 Identification and elimination of ‘sllowly growing’ bacteria from a micropropagated Gerbera. Acta Horticulturae 212, 112.Google Scholar
  78. Pollock K., Barfield D.G. & Shields R. 1983 The toxicity of antibiotics to plant cell cultures. Plant Cell Reports 2, 36–39.Google Scholar
  79. Poulsen G.B. 1988 Elimination of contaminating micro-organisms from meristem culture of apple rootstock M26. Acta Horticulturae 225, 193–197.Google Scholar
  80. Reustle G., Mann M. & Heintz C. 1988 Experience and problems with infections in tissue cultures of grapevine. Acta Horticulturae 225, 119–129.Google Scholar
  81. Reuther G. 1983 Propagation of disease-free Pelargonium cultivars by tissue culture. Acta Horticulturae 131, 311–319.Google Scholar
  82. Reuther G. 1985 Principles and application of the micropropagation of ornamental plants. In In Vitro Techniques: Propagation and Longterm Storage ed. Schafer-Menuhr A. pp. 1–14. Dordrecht: Martinus Nijhoff/Dr W. Junk.Google Scholar
  83. Reuther G. 1988 Problems of transmission and identification of bacteria in tissue culture propagated geraniums. Acta Horticulturae 225, 139–152.Google Scholar
  84. Rossini G. & Standardi A. 1990 Studies on the elimination of contaminating micro-organisms from tissue cultures of apple rootstock M27 by antiseptic treatment. In Abstracts VIIth International Congress on Plant Tissue and Cell Culture, ed. Nijkamp H.J.J., Van der Plas L.H.W. & Van Aartrijk J. p. 380. Dordrecht: Kluwer Academic Publishers.Google Scholar
  85. Schaad N.W. 1980 Initial identification of common genera. In Identification of Plant Pathogenic Bacteria ed. Schaad N.W. pp. 1–11. St Paul: American Phytopathological Society.Google Scholar
  86. Scopes N. 1979 Pests and Disease Control Handbook. London: BCPC Publications.Google Scholar
  87. Schippers B., Bakker A.W. & Bakker P.A.H.M. 1987 Interactions of deleterious and beneficial rhizosphere microorganisms and the effect of cropping practices. Annual Review of Phytopathology 25, 339–358.Google Scholar
  88. Singha S., Bissonnette G.K. & Double M.L. 1987 Methods for sterilising instruments contaminated with Bacillus sp. from plant tissue cultures. Horticultural Science 22, 659.Google Scholar
  89. Smith I.M., Dunez J., Lelliott R.A., Phillips D.H. & Archer S.A. 1986 European Handbook of Plant Diseases. Oxford/London: Blackwell Scientific Publications.Google Scholar
  90. Seath P.H.A. 1986 Description of the genus Bacillus. In Bergey's Manual of Systematic Bacteriology, 9th Edition, Vol. 2, ed. Sneath P.H.A., Mair N.S., Sharpe M.E. & Holt J.G. pp. 1004–1008. Baltimore/London: Williams and Wilkins.Google Scholar
  91. Sneath P.H.A., Mair N.S., Sharpe M.E. & Holt J.G. 1986 Bergey's Manual of Systematic Bacteriology, 9th Edition, Vol. 2, Baltimore/London: Williams and Wilkins.Google Scholar
  92. Thurston K.C., Spencer S.J. & Arditti J. 1979 Phytotoxicity of fungicides and bactericides in orchid culture media. American Journal of Botany 66, 825–835.Google Scholar
  93. Tilbury R.H. 1980 Xerotolerant (osmophilic) yeasts. In Biology and Activities of Yeasts, ed. Skinner F., Passmore S.M. & Davenport R.R. Academic Press: London/New York.Google Scholar
  94. Trick I. & Lingens F. 1985 Aerobic spore-forming bacteria as detrimental infectants in plant tissue cultures. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology 21, 245–249.Google Scholar
  95. Wainwright H. & England N. 1987 The micropropagation of Prosopis juliflora: Establishment in vitro. Acta Horticulturae 212, 49–54.Google Scholar
  96. Wilson Z.A. & Power J.B. 1989 Elimination of systemic contamination in explant and protoplast cultures of Rubber (Hevea brasiliensis). Plant Cell Reports 7, 622–625.Google Scholar

Copyright information

© Rapid Communications of Oxford Ltd 1991

Authors and Affiliations

  • C. Leifert
  • J. Y. Ritchie
  • W. M. Waites

There are no affiliations available

Personalised recommendations