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Title: PROFILE OF BACTERIAL GENERA ASSOCIATED WITH COTTON FROM LOW ENDOTOXIN AND HIGH ENDOTOXIN GROWING REGIONS

Author
item Chun, David
item PERKINS JR, HENRY - COLLABORATOR

Submitted to: Annals of Agriculture and Environmental Medicine
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/15/1997
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. No significant differences between populations were observed in the nonsticky, moderately sticky and sticky cottons. Bacillus spp. was the major genera observed in these cottons and no Pseudomonas spp. was found. A Gram-index concept is introduced which relates the "Gram-reaction character" of a cotton growing region. The results elaborates on why less endotoxin is found on California/Western cotton.

Technical Abstract: 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. The method would be applicable to profile bacterial genera in ecological studies or biocontrol studies. 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. No significant differences between populations were observed in the nonsticky, moderately sticky and sticky cottons. Gram-index concept is introduced. Bacillus spp. was the major general observed in these cottons and no Pseudomonas spp. was found. A Gram-index concept is introduced which relates the "Gram-reaction character" of a cotton growing region. The results are consistent with earlier geographical studies and helps to account for the disparity of endotoxin in the cotton growing regions.