Microcosm For Assessing Survival of /Genetically Engineered Microorganisms In Soil

This study aimed to test the transducability of streptomycin resistance gene in a number of isolates using rhizobiophages obtained from different sources in order to identify the ability of each rhizobiophage and also to scope the range of the genetic exchange between these isolates. Also, soil microcosms were used to assess the survival of such a genetically engineered isolate.Twenty one Rhizobium isolates were isolated from different agricultural soil locations which represented eleven different plant hosts. All isolates were identified genetically, and microbiologically. Also, ten rhizobiophages were isolated from soil as well as the host range of these rhizobiophage was determined using all of the Rhizobium isolates. In addition, twenty one rhizobiophage lysates were prepared from lysogen and examined for host range and lysis abilities. These phages were classified into two groups: lysates that couldn’t infect or lysis the same host cells that are released from, and lysates that could lysis the same host cell. Resistance to antibiotics (streptomycin, tetracycline, ampicilin, and rifampicin) was examined for all of isolates. Transducability of streptomycin mediated by the soil isolated rhizobiophages that propagated on the donor isolates (4 isolates) and also, five of rhizobiophages that isolated from lysogenes was examined.