BACTERIAL GENERA ASSOCIATED WITH THREE COTTON GROWING REGIONS OF THE COTTONBELT

Authors: Chun, David; PERKINS, JR, HENRY - COLLABORATOR

Submitted to: National Cotton Council Beltwide Cotton Conference
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/31/1995
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: A survey method is presented for the unbiased sampling and identification of bacterial species. The method utilizes a randomized selection process and the MIDI Microbial Identification System (MIS) which uses whole cell fatty acid analysis by gas chromatography rather than relying on colonial growth morphology and conventional biochemical testing. The method uncovers a greater diversity of bacterial species than has been reported. In California, the bulk of gram-positive species consisted of Bacillus spp.; and in Mississippi and Texas region cottons, the bulk of gram negative species was made up of Pseudomonas spp. A gram-index concept is introduced which relates the "gram-reaction character" of a cotton growing region.

Technical Abstract: A survey method is described for sampling and identifying bacterial genera associated with the seasonal population of bacteria on cotton grown in Florence and for different cotton growing regions. The method utilizes the MIDI Microbial Identification System (MIS) which uses whole cell fatty acid analysis by gas chromatography. A gram-index concept is introduced. Initial results supports previous findings that California cottons generally contain low levels of endotoxin and gram-negative bacteria and that Mississippi cottons generally contain high levels of endotoxin and gram-negative bacteria. In California cottons, the bulk of gram-positive species consisted of Bacillus spp.; and in Mississippi and Texas region cottons, the bulk of gram-negative species was made up of Pseudomonas spp.