Direct microscopy of bacillus endospore germination in soil microcosms.
Antagonistic endospore-forming Bacillus spp. offer a large potential as seed inoculants for control of soil-borne pathogens. In the soil, however, inoculated Bacillus endospores may remain dormant without germination, and plant protection can therefore be inefficient and unpredictable. A method based on direct fluorescence microscopy in soil microcosms was used to determine whether low-cost organic additives incorporated into seed coating material could stimulate endospore germination. Complex organic additives supported a high level of endospore germination of the fungal antagonist Paenibacillus polymyxa CM5-5. Skim milk is a low-cost additive that may be incorporated into seed coating material for efficient induction of Bacillus endospore germination in soil.
Thrane
C
C
Section of Genetics and Microbiology, Department of Ecology, The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Copenhagen, Denmark. cth@kvl.dk
Olsson
S
S
Wolstrup
J
J
Sørensen
J
J
D000409:Alanine / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D001407:Bacillus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D001412:Bacillus subtilis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D002417:Cattle; D003470:Culture Media; D005947:Glucose / Q000494:pharmacology; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence / Q000379:methods; D008892:Milk; D011189:Potassium Chloride / Q000494:pharmacology; D012988:Soil Microbiology; D013171:Spores, Bacterial
D003470:Culture Media; D011189:Potassium Chloride; D005947:Glucose; D000409:Alanine