Abstract
Abstract A laboratory study was carried out to evaluate survival of genetically altered strains of Pseudomonas fluorescens in the rhizosphere of bean and in bulk soil, and the effect on indigenous microflora. The strains were released into uncontaminated soil and soil contaminated with copper. Numbers of plasmid RP4 donor, recipient and transconjugant cells were determined after 10 and 28 days. The impact on indigenous microflora was examined in terms of changes in total numbers of heterotrophic and Gram‐negative bacteria, and shifts in microbial community structure. Microbial community structures were determined using a method based on the r‐ and K‐strategists concept. The reaction of bean seedlings to the introduced strains in uncontaminated soil and soil contaminated with copper was also studied. Higher copper dose (2.5 mg g‐1) markedly decreased the numbers of donor and recipient cells while transconjugant cells were not found at all. The donor carrying plasmid RP4 survived better than the recipient i...
Published Version
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