Journal Article

Biosafety and colonization of Burkholderia multivorans WS-FJ9 and its growth-promoting effects on poplars

Wu, Xiao-Qin, Li, Guan-Xi, Ye, Jian-Ren

2013

Overview

Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc) is a group of bacteria with conflicting biological characteristics, which make them simultaneously beneficial and harmful to humans. They have been exploited for biocontrol, bioremediation, and plant growth promotion. However, their capacity as opportunistic bacteria that infect humans restricts their biotechnological applications. Therefore, the risks of using these bacteria should be assessed. In this study, Burkholderia multivorans WS-FJ9 originally isolated from pine rhizosphere, which was shown to be efficient in solubilizing phosphate, was evaluated with respect to its biosafety, colonization in poplar rhizosphere, and growth-promoting effects on poplar seedlings. Pathogenicity of B. multivorans WS-FJ9 on plants was determined experimentally using onion and tobacco as model plants. Onion bulb inoculated with B. multivorans WS-FJ9 showed slight hypersensitive responses around the inoculation points, but effects were not detectable based on the inner color and odor of the onion. Tobacco leaves inoculated with B. multivorans WS-FJ9 exhibited slightly water-soaked spots around the inoculation points, which did not expand or develop into lesions even with repeated incubation. Pathogenicity of the strain in alfalfa, which has been suggested as an alternative Bcc model for mice, was not detectable. Results from gene-specific polymerase chain reactions showed that the tested B. multivorans WS-FJ9 strain did not possess the BCESM and cblA virulence genes. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that the colonization of the WS-FJ9 strain reached 1.4 × 10⁴ colony forming units (cfu) g⁻¹ rhizosphere soil on day 77 post-inoculation. The B. multivorans WS-FJ9 strain could colonize the rhizosphere as well as the root tissues and cells of poplars. Greenhouse evaluations in both sterilized and non-sterilized soils indicated that B. multivorans WS-FJ9 significantly promoted growth in height, root collar diameter, and plant biomass of inoculated poplar seedlings compared with controls. Phosphorus contents of roots and stems of treated seedlings were 0.57 and 0.55 mg g⁻¹ higher than those of the controls, respectively. Phosphorus content was lower in the rhizosphere soils by an average of 1.03 mg g⁻¹ compared with controls. The results demonstrated that B. multivorans WS-FJ9 is a nonpathogenic strain that could colonize the roots and significantly promote the growth of poplar seedlings.

• Publisher: Springer-Verlag,Springer Berlin Heidelberg,Springer,Springer Nature B.V
• Subject: Alfalfa / Analysis / Animals / Applied Microbial and Cell Physiology / Bacteria / Bacterial Load / Biological control / Biomass / Biomedical and Life Sciences / Bioremediation / Biosafety / Biotechnology / bulbs / Burkholderia / Burkholderia cepacia complex / Burkholderia cepacia complex - genetics / Burkholderia cepacia complex - growth & development / Burkholderia cepacia complex - pathogenicity / Burkholderia multivorans / chemistry / Colonization / Colony Count, Microbial / color / Electron microscopes / Genes / genetics / greenhouses / growth & development / growth promotion / Human exposure / Humans / Laboratories / leaves / Life Sciences / Medicago sativa / Medicago sativa - microbiology / Metabolism / Mice / Microbial Genetics and Genomics / Microbiology / Microscopy, Electron, Scanning / Nicotiana - microbiology / odors / onions / Onions - microbiology / pathogenicity / Pathogens / Pesticides / Pests / Phosphorus / Phosphorus - analysis / Plant biomass / Plant Diseases / Plant Diseases - microbiology / Plant growth / Plant Roots / Plant Roots - chemistry / Plant Roots - microbiology / Plant Stems / Plant Stems - chemistry / Plant tissues / polymerase chain reaction / Poplar / Populus / Populus - growth & development / Populus - microbiology / Rhizosphere / risk / root crown / Roots / Scanning electron microscopy / Seedlings / Seeds / soil / Soil Microbiology / Studies / Tobacco / Virulence / Virulence Factors / Virulence Factors - genetics