Influence of Nitrogen Source on 2,4-diacetylphloroglucinol Production by the Biocontrol Strain Pf-5

The production of 2,4-diacetylphloroglucinol (DAPG) by the biocontrol agent Pseudomonas fluorescens Pf-5 was studied in nutrient-solution based media with varying nitrogen content. No production of DAPG was observed when organic nitrogen was omitted from the media, regardless of the inorganic nitrogen source used. Furthermore, a micromolar concentration range of organic nitrogen was insufficient to sustain production. When a millimolar concentration range of organic nitrogen was used, DAPG production was observed in the medium with ammonium as the inorganic nitrogen source. No production was observed in the treatments with ammonium and nitrate or nitrate only, despite growth of the bacterial strain being the same for all treatments. These results suggest that it is possible to manipulate the nutrient solution to increase the reliability and efficacy of biological control agents.