Dr. Luz Gonzalez de Bashan and Dr. Yoav Bashan

Genetic manipulation and molecular detection and monitoring of plant growth-promoting bacteria (Basic studies)

Version January 2012


Goals: Genetically manipulate Plant Growth-Promoting Bacteria (PGPB); production of Azospirillum strains with reporter genes (Green Fluorescent Protein). Detection of PGPB by molecular technique such as Fluorescense in situ Hybridization (FISH) and monitoring microbial populations using Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis (DGGE).


For More PDF files of earlier papers go to: Environmental Microbiology Website.


Colonization of wheat roots with Azospirillum lipoferum labeled with the green fluorescent protein (gfp) reporter gene.


 The plant growth promoting bacterium Azospirillum lipoferum labeled with
the green fluorescent protein (gfp)
reporter gene.

Root colonization by Azospirillum brasilense
visualizing by Fluorescence In situ Hybridization (FISH).
Brilliant dots are the bacterial cells.

Root colonization of Sorghum plants by the plant growth-promoting bacteria Azospirillum brasilense visualizing by Scanning Confocal Laser Microscopy. Purple colors are the bacterial cells.

External collaborators

  • Dr. Alberto Mendoza, Centro de Biotecnología Genómica (CBG), Reynosa, Tamaulipas, México

    Most relevant publications

  • de-Bashan, L.E., Hernandez, J.-P., Bashan, Y. and Maier, R. 2010. Bacillus pumilus ES4: Candidate plant growth-promoting bacterium to enhance establishment of plants in mine tailings. Environmental and Experimental Botany 69: 343–352

  • de-Bashan, L.E., Hernandez, J.-P., Nelson, N. K., Bashan, Y. and Maier, R. 2010. Growth of Quailbush in Acidic, Metalliferous Desert Mine Tailings: Effect of Azospirillum brasilense Sp6 on Biomass Production and Rhizosphere Community Structure. Microbial Ecology 60: 915–927

  • Rodriguez, H., Fraga, T. and Bashan, Y. 2006. Genetics of phosphate solubilization and potential applications for improving plant growth-promoting bacteria. Plant and Soil 287: 15 - 21.

  • Rodriguez, H., Mendoza, A., Cruz, M.A., Holguin, G., Glick B.R., and Bashan, Y. 2006. Pleiotropic physiological effects in the plant growth-promoting bacterium Azospirillum brasilense following chromosomal labeling in the clpX gene. FEMS Microbiology Ecology 57: 217-225.

  • Bacilio, M., Rodriguez H., Moreno, M., Hernandez, J.-P., and Bashan Y. 2004. Mitigation of salt stress in wheat seedlings by a gfp-tagged Azospirillum lipoferum. Biology and Fertility of Soils 40: 188-193.