Survival and cell culturability of biocontrol Pseudomonas fluorescens CHA0 in the rhizosphere of cucumber grown in two soils of contrasting fertility status

Abstract

The effect of cucumber roots on survival patterns of the biocontrol soil inoculant Pseudomonas fluorescens CHA0-Rif was assessed for 22 days in two non-sterile soils, using a combination of total immunofluorescence cell counts, Kogure's direct viable counts and colony counts on plates containing rifampicin. In Eschikon soil (high fertility status for cucumber), CHA0-Rif persisted as culturable cells in bulk soil and in the rhizosphere, but colony counts were lower than viable counts and total cell counts inside root tissues. The occurrence of viable but non-culturable (VBNC) cells inside root tissues (5 log cells g–1 root) was unlikely to have resulted from the hydrogen peroxide treatment used to disinfect the root surface, as hydrogen peroxide caused the death of CHA0-Rif cells in vitro. In Siglistorf soil (low fertility status for cucumber), the inoculant was found mostly as non-culturable cells. Colony counts and viable counts of CHA0-Rif were similar, both in bulk soil and inside root tissues, whereas in the rhizosphere viable counts exceeded colony counts at the last two samplings (giving about 7 log VBNC cells g–1). In conclusion, soil type had a significant influence on the occurrence of VBNC cells of CHA0-Rif, although these cells were found in root-associated habitats (i.e. rhizosphere and root tissues) and not in bulk soil.