Isolation of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa in Ornamental Plants and their Associated Soil

Indianapolis, IN

Pseudomonas is a genus of gram negative bacteria that can be opportunistic plant or human pathogens commonly found in soil, water, and plants. The genus of Pseudomonas contains a number of species including P. putida, P. fluorescens, and P. aeruginosa. The focus of this study was to isolate Pseudomonas aeruginosa from ornamental plants and their associated soil. Nine ornamental plants were sampled which included six outdoor plants and three indoor plants. This study was carried out through four steps; sample collection, bacterial culture, DNA extraction, and PCR amplification. During collection, samples were taken from ornamental plant leaves and their associated soil and grown on Pseudomonas Isolation Agar plates for isolation of genus Pseudomonas and related species. Following the isolation of these bacteria, DNA was extracted from each of the strains and PCR amplification was completed using Pseudomonas genus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa species specific primers. Using the genus specific primers, 26 isolates of genus Pseudomonas were found from the ornamental plants and their associated soil; 20 soil samples and 6 leaf samples. When using the species specific primers, there were no positive results for P. aeruginosa from the genus positive samples. This study concluded that there were more Pseudomonas isolates obtained from soil rather than leaf samples, and no isolates of P. aeruginosa were detected in any of the samples collected.