Effect of Wild and Genetically Modified Rhizosphere Bacteria Pseudomonas aureofaciens on the Accumulation of Arsenic by Plants

Gene constructions rendering recombinant bacteria resistant to arsenic and increasing their ability to dissolve soil phosphates and/or arsenates were created by cloning the ars operon and the gene of citrate synthase from a chromosome of the strain Pseudomonas aeruginosa PA01. Genetically modified variants of the strain Pseudomonas aureofaciens BS1393 have been constructed that are resistant to high concentrations of arsenic and dissolve poorly soluble phosphates and/or arsenates. The recombinant strains P. aureofaciens BS1393(pUCP22::arsRBC) and P. aureofaciens BS1393(pUCP22::gltA) exerted positive effects on the survival of sorgo (Sorghum saccharatum L.) and its ability to accumulate arsenic.