Survival and ecological effects of genetically engineered erwinia carotovora in soil and aquatic microcosms

摘要

The release to genetically engineered organisms into the environment has raised concerns about their potential ecological impact. In this study, genetically engineered Erwinia carotovora strains expressing varying levels of reduced phytopathogenicity and wildtype E. carotovora strains were used in aquatic and soil microcosms to assess the survival, intraspecific competition, and effects upon specific groups of indigenous bacteria. In aquatic microcosms, the densities of Erwinia genetically engineered organisms (GEMs) and wildtype strains declined and fell below the detectable limit of plate counts 15 d after the microcosms were inoculated.