Draft Genome Sequence of the Type Strain Pseudomonas jessenii DSM 17150

We present the draft genome sequence of Pseudomonas jessenii type strain DSM 17150. The assembly consists of 13 contigs, contains 6,537,206 bp, and has a GC content of 59.7%

Draft Genome Sequence of the Type Strain Sphingopyxis bauzanensis DSM 22271

We present here the draft genome sequence of Sphingopyxis bauzanensis DSM 22271. The assembly contains 4,258,005 bp in 28 scaffolds and has a GC content of 63.3%. A series of specific genes involved in the catabolism or transport of aromatic compounds was identified

Pseudomonas silesiensis sp. nov. strain A3 T isolated from a biological pesticide sewage treatment plant and analysis of the complete genome sequence

Microorganisms classified in to the Pseudomonas genus are a ubiquitous bacteria inhabiting variety of environmental niches and have been isolated from soil, sediment, water and different parts of higher organisms (plants and animals). Members of this genus are known for their metabolic versatility and are able to utilize different chemical compounds as a source of carbon, nitrogen or phosphorus, which makes them an interesting microorganism for bioremediation or bio-transformation. Moreover, Pseudomonas sp. has been described as a microorganism that can easily adapt to new environmental conditions due to its resistance to the presence of high concentrations of heavy metals or chemical pollution. Here we present the isolation and analysis of Pseudomonas silesiensis sp. nov. strain A3T isolated from peaty soil used in a biological wastewater treatment plant exploited by a pesticide packaging company. Phylogenetic MLSA analysis of 4 housekeeping genes (16S rRNA, gyrB, rpoD and rpoB), complete genome sequence comparison (ANIb, Tetranucleotide identity, digital DDH), FAME analysis, and other biochemical tests indicate the A3T strain (type strain PCM 2856T=DSM 103370T) differs significantly from the closest relative species and therefore represents a new species within the Pseudomonas genus. Moreover, bioinformatic analysis of the complete sequenced genome showed that it consists of 6,823,539bp with a 59.58mol% G+C content and does not contain any additional plasmids. Genome annotation predicted the presence of 6066 genes, of which 5875 are coding proteins and 96 are RNA genes

Draft Genome Sequence of the Type Strain Pseudomonas umsongensis DSM 16611

Here, we report the draft genome sequence of Pseudomonas umsongensis type strain DSM 16611. The assembly consists of 14 contigs containing 6,701,403 bp with a GC content of 59.73%

Draft Genome Sequence of the Type Strain Sphingopyxis witflariensis DSM 14551

Here, we present the draft genome sequence of Sphingopyxis witflariensis strain DSM 14551. The assembly consists of 38 contigs and contains 4,306,761 bp, with a GC content of 63.3%

Holistic Approach To Control Soil-Borne Pests In Organic Orchards: The Case Of May Beetle

The lack of plant protection products to control soil-borne pests in organic farming has resulted in Poland and several other EU countries in increasing damages by grubs of the European cockchafer (Melolontha sp.) to fruit orchards and plantations. We have developed a holistic strategy including various control methods and agronomical practices to control Melolontha spp. in organic strawberry plantations which can be potentially applied also to other fruit crops. The strategy includes measures that are targeting all the life stages of the pest’ biological cycle. The results indicated that the such holistic strategy allows reducing the number of active grubs and the damage to plants

Living Mulch with Selected Herbs for Soil Management in Organic Apple Orchards

The establishment of living mulches in organic orchards could potentially improve the orchard biodiversity and, when specific plant species are selected, provide additional eco-services and functions, including adequate weed management. This study was conducted in an organically managed apple orchard in Skierniewice (Poland) to assess the effect of two selected living mulching species: Alchemilla vulgaris and Mentha piperita. They were assessed on weed control, weed biodiversity, tree nutritional status, root dry weight density (RDWD), and other root morphological traits compared to a natural soil cover (control). Overall, both living mulches produced 42.5% more dry biomass, increased weed species number (+29%), and increased soil coverage (+33%) compared to control mowed plots. The apple leaf chlorophyll index and nutrient content were higher in the presence of both living mulches than in the control. In addition, apple trees had 30–46% higher root dry weight densities, even though other root morphological traits were not affected by the treatments. The results suggested that the tree row can be managed with living mulches of herbs; these species have the potential to provide an additional income to the farmer, as well as beneficial effects for the orchard biodiversity, without impairing the tree root development and nutrient status

Isolation and Characterization of Pseudomonas spp. Strains That Efficiently Decompose Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate

Due to their particular properties, detergents are widely used in household cleaning products, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and in agriculture as adjuvants tailoring the features of pesticides or other crop protection agents. The continuously growing use of these various products means that water soluble detergents have become one of the most problematic groups of pollutants for the aquatic and terrestrial environments. Thus it is important to identify bacteria having the ability to survive in the presence of large quantities of detergent and efficiently decompose it to non-surface active compounds. In this study, we used peaty soil sampled from a surface flow constructed wetland in a wastewater treatment plant to isolate bacteria that degrade sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). We identified and initially characterized 36 Pseudomonas spp. strains that varied significantly in their ability to use SDS as their sole carbon source. Five isolates having the closest taxonomic relationship to the Pseudomonas jessenii subgroup appeared to be the most efficient SDS degraders, decomposing from 80 to 100% of the SDS present in an initial concentration 1 g/L in less than 24 h. These isolates exhibited significant differences in degree of SDS degradation, their resistance to high detergent concentration (ranging from 2.5 g/L up to 10 g/L or higher), and in chemotaxis toward SDS on a plate test. Mass spectrometry revealed several SDS degradation products, 1-dodecanol being dominant; however, traces of dodecanal, 2-dodecanol, and 3-dodecanol were also observed, but no dodecanoic acid. Native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis zymography revealed that all of the selected isolates possessed alkylsulfatase-like activity. Three isolates, AP3_10, AP3_20, and AP3_22, showed a single band on native PAGE zymography, that could be the result of alkylsulfatase activity, whereas for isolates AP3_16 and AP3_19 two bands were observed. Moreover, the AP3_22 strain exhibited a band in presence of both glucose and SDS, whereas in other isolates, the band was visible solely in presence of detergent in the culture medium. This suggests that these microorganisms isolated from peaty soil exhibit exceptional capabilities to survive in, and break down SDS, and they should be considered as a valuable source of biotechnological tools for future bioremediation and industrial applications

Control of Nematodes in Organic Horticulture Exploiting the Multifunctional Capacity of Microorganisms

Organic production is expected to play a major role in reducing the impact of agricultural practices on the environment. Soil is considered a major component of the organic production process, and organic practices aim at increasing its health and fertility. However, the control of soil-borne pests, particularly plant-parasitic nematodes, can be difficult in organic horticultural crops due to the rules allowed in this farming system. Applying a holistic approach that fosters and exploits the activity of the soil microbiome to control plant-parasitic nematodes has been at the basis of the analysis of the available scientific knowledge carried out for this review article. This review thus focuses on the multifunctional capacity of microorganisms, including that of bacteria and fungi not normally considered biocontrol agents, and the need to also better understand their relations with the plant and other environmental and agronomic factors. The implementation of the “multi-biotics” concept, applying prebiotics, probiotics and postbiotics, which supports an integrated agroecological strategy for the protection of organic horticultural crops, is proposed as an efficient practice that should be further studied to be adapted under different crops and pedo-climatic conditions