Molecular changes associated with spontaneous phenotypic variation of Paenibacillus polymyxa, a commonly used biocontrol agent, and temperature-dependent control of variation.

ABSTRACT: There has been a growing interest in deploying plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) as a biological control agent (BCA) to reduce the use of agrochemicals. Spontaneous phenotypic variation of PGPR, which causes the loss of traits crucial for biocontrol, presents a large obstacle in producing commercial biocontrol products. Here, we report molecular changes associated with phenotypic variation in Paenibacillus polymyxa, a PGPR widely used for biocontrol worldwide, and a simple cultural change that can prevent the variation. Compared to B-type (non-variant) cells of P. polymyxa strain E681, its phenotypic variant, termed as F-type, fails to form spores, does not confer plant growth-promoting effect, and displays altered colony and cell morphology, motility, antagonism against other mi

SUBMITTER: Lee Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7538429 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature