Isolation and Characterization of Metabolites from Pseudomonas syringae-strain 3366 and their Phytotoxicity Against Certain Weed and Crop Species1

Phytotoxic effects of metabolites from a naturally occurring rhizobacterial isolate, Pseudomonas syringae strain 3366, were determined on downy brome and 'Hill 81' winter wheat, along with 10 other weed and crop species. Centrifuged supernatant and concentrated ethyl acetate extracts from aerobic shake cultures of strain 3366 suppressed germination of seeds and reduced root and shoot growth in agar diffusion assays, soil assays, and under fileld conditions. Generally, root growth was inhibited more than shoot growth. Strain 3366 metabolites applied in soil inhibited all species tested. Crude ethyl acetate extracts in soil inhibited downy brome at concentrations that had little effect on winter wheat. Inhibitory activity was greater in Palouse silt loam (pH 5.8, 3.6% organic matter) than in Shano silt loam (pH 9.0, 0.8 % organic matter). Activity of extracted metabolites decreased rapidly in wet soil but remained high in dry soil. Active metabolites were isolated and purified from the ethyl acetate extract using column chromatography, thin-layer chromatography, and crystallization. Chemical analvsis revealed the presence of phenazine-1-carboxylic acid, 2-amino phenoxazone, and 2-amino phenol. Activity of these metabolites against downy brome was confirmed in agar assays. Phenazine-1-carboxylic acid, the major identifiable metabolite present in ethyl acetate extracts (20% by weight), inhibited downy brome root growth by 99% at concentrations of 5.7 mg L-1. Production of these metabolites in field soil by live bacteria of strain 3366 was confirmed with thin-layer chromatography. Nomenclature: Downy brome, Bromus tectorum L.; wheat, Triticum aestivum L. Additional index words. Bioherbicide, biological control, phy'Received for publication March 10, 1995, and in revised form August, 1995. Contribution from Agric. Res. Serv., U.S. Dep. Agric. in cooperation with Coll. of Agric. and Home Econ. Res. Ctr., Washington State Univ., Pullman, WA 99164-6416 and Bioanalytical Ctr., Washington State Univ., Pullman, WA 99164-4235. 2Plant Physiol., USDA, Agric. Res. Serv., National Rice Germplasm Research Center, P.O. Box 287, Stuttgart, AR 72160, Assoc. Dir. Bioanalytical Ctr., Washington State Univ., 514 Science Hall, Pullman, WA 99164-4235, and Plant Physiol., USDA, Agric. Res. Serv., 165 Johnson Hall, Washington State Univ., Pullman, WA 99164-6416. Former title and address of first author was Plant Physiol., USDA, Agric. Res. Serv., Pullman, WA 99164-6416. 3Letters following this symbol are a WSSA-approved computer code from Composite List of Weeds, Revised 1989. Available from WSSA, 1508 West University Ave., Champaign, IL 61821-3133. 4Ogg, A. O., Jr. 1993. Personal communication. USDA Agric. Res. Serv., Washington State Univ., Pullman, WA 99164-6416. 'Abbreviations: APZ, 2-amino phenoxazone; APL, 2-amino phenol; EtOAc, ethyl acetate; GC/MS; gas chromatography/mass spectrometry; '50, concentration of a substance causing 50% inhibition; KB, King's B media; MeOH, methanol; strain D7, Pseudomonasfluorescens strain D7; PCA, phenazine-l-carboxylic acid; strain 3366, Pseudomonas syringae strain 3366; TLC, thin-layer chromatography. totoxin, rhizobacteria, Beta vulgaris L., Hordeum vulgare L., Lens culinaris L., Pisum sativum L., Triticum aestivum L., #3 BROTE, AVEFA, AEGCY, AMARE, CHEAL, SISAL, THLAR.