Studies on the microbial populations of the rhizosphere of big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata)

Prolonged use of broad-spectrum antibiotics has led to the emergence of drug-resistant pathogens, both in medicine and in agriculture. New threats such as biological warfare have increased the need for novel and efficacious antimicrobial agents. Natural habitats not previously examined as sources of novel antibiotic-producing microorganisms still exist. One such habitat is the rhizosphere of desert shrubs. Here, we show that one desert shrub habitat, the rhizosphere of desert big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) is a source of actinomycetes capable of producing an extensive array of antifungal metabolites. Culturable microbial populations from both the sagebrush rhizosphere and nearby bulk soils from three different...

Categories: Publication; Types: Citation, Journal Citation; Tags: Journal of Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology, Springer, actinomyce, antibiotic, rhizosphere, All tags... sagebrush, Fewer tags