Evaluation of the diversity of Paenibacillus polymyxa strains by using the DNA of bacteriophage IPy1 as a probe in hybridization experiments.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the genetic diversity within the species Paenibacillus polymyxa.


METHODS
Southern hybridization was performed on 102 strains of P. polymyxa using DNA from the phage IPy1 as a probe.


RESULTS
All 102 strains hybridized to phage IPy1 DNA. Data from different hybridization patterns obtained were used to construct a dendrogram in which 53 genotypic groups were split into two main clusters. One cluster contained strains from the rhizospheres of sorghum and maize planted in Cerrado soil, Brazil, and the majority of strains received from two culture collections. The other cluster contained strains isolated from different Brazilian soils and rhizospheres and strains deposited in a third culture collection.


CONCLUSIONS
The approach used in this study appears to be a new and a very useful tool to study the diversity within this species.
Santos
S C C dos
SC
Instituto de Microbiologia Prof. Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Ilha do Fundão, Brasil.
Rodrigues Coelho
M R
MR
Seldin
L
L
D001407:Bacillus / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics*; D017103:Bacillus Phages / Q000235:genetics*; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D004279:DNA, Viral; D015335:Molecular Probes; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization
D004279:DNA, Viral; D015335:Molecular Probes