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Colonization potential of bacteria in the rhizosphere

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Abstract

The effect of inoculum density on growth and steady-state populations of aPseudomonas sp., aMycoplana sp., and aCurtobacterium sp. in the rhizosphere if gnotobiotic barley plants was studied. Inoculation of sterile barley seedling at concentrations of about 1×103, 1×105 and 1×107 viable cells (mg dry wt root)−1 resulted in rapid colonization; maximum populations of about 5×107 viable cells (mg dry wt root)−1 developed in each case. We define this maximum population as the colonization potential. Measurement of growth of known rhizosphere bacteria might be a useful index of the amount of available carbon and energy lost by growing roots.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Letcombe Laboratory, Agricultural Research Council, OX12 9JT, Wantage, Oxon, UK

    Robert A. Bennett & James M. Lynch

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  1. Robert A. Bennett
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  2. James M. Lynch
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Bennett, R.A., Lynch, J.M. Colonization potential of bacteria in the rhizosphere. Current Microbiology 6, 137–138 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01642386

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01642386

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