Leaching of genetically modified Pseudomonas fluorescens through intact soil microcosms: Influence of soil type

Summary The leaching of a genetically modified Pseudomonas fluorescens through soil was investigated using intact (undisturbed) soil microcosms over a 2-month period. The microcosms comprised large cylindrical cores of three contrasting soil types (a loamy sand, a sandy loam, and a clay loam) supporting a grass/clover sward. Late log-phase cells of Pseudomonas fluorescens containing lux genes encoding for bioluminescence were applied to the surface of the soil cores. Eighteen hours after application of the inocula, the microcosms were subjected to simulated rain events (9 mm per event) at 3-day intervals and leachates were analysed for the concentration of genetically modified bacteria. The lux-modified pseudomonads were detected immediately in leachate from the clay looam with a steady decline in the concentration of cells with time. Leaching of pseudomonads from the sandy loam and loamy sand only occurred over a few rain events and total recoveries from the leachate were lower than from the clay loam. Leaching patterns are discussed in relation to differences in structure of topsoil and subsoil, which determine the pathways of water flow, and to the matric potential at inoculation, which determines the pore-size classes into which cells were first introduced.