skip to main content
OSTI.GOV title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Title: Physical and chemical control of released microorganisms at field sites

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:5384848

An important consideration in the environmental release of a genetically engineered microorganism (GEM) is the capability for reduction or elimination of GEM populations once their function is completed or if adverse environmental effects are observed. The decontamination treatments of burning and biocide application, alone and in combination with tilling, were evaluated for their ability to reduce populations of bacteria released on the phylloplane. Field plots of bush beans sprayed with the bacterium Erwinia herbicola, received the following treatments: (1) control, (2) control + till, (3) burn, (4) burn + till, (5) Kocide (cupric hydroxide), (6) Kocide + till, (7) Agri-strep (streptomycin sulfate), and (8) Agri-strept + till. Leaves and soil from the plots were sampled -1, 1, 5, 8, 12, 15, 19, and 27 days after application of the decontamination treatments. Burning produced a significant and persistent reduction in the number of bacteria whereas tilling, alone or in combination with the biocide treatments, stimulated a significant and persistent reduction in the number of bacteria, whereas tilling, alone or in combination with the biocide treatments, stimulated a significant increase in bacterial populations that persisted for several weeks.

Research Organization:
Environmental Protection Agency, Corvallis, OR (United States). Environmental Research Lab.
OSTI ID:
5384848
Report Number(s):
PB-92-153360/XAB; EPA-600/J-92/080
Resource Relation:
Other Information: Pub. in Canadian Jnl. of Microbiology, v37 p708-712. See also PB89-138465 and PB91-109975. Prepared in cooperation with NSI Technology Services Corp., Corvallis, OR. Environmental Research Lab
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English