Inactivation of the regulatory gene algU or gacA can affect the ability of biocontrol Pseudomonas fluorescens CHA0 to persist as culturable cells in nonsterile soil

Abstract

Rifampin-resistant Pseudomonas fluorescens CHA0-Rif and mutants in which the regulatory gene algU (encoding sigma factor sigma(E)) or gacA (encoding a global regulator of secondary metabolism) was inactivated were compared for persistence in three nonsterile soils. Functional algU and (particularly) gacA were needed for CHA0-Rif to maintain cell culturability in soil.