Production of a Phytotoxic Compound, 3-Phenylpropionic Acid by a Bacterial Endophyte, Arthrobacter humicola YC6002 Isolated from the Root of Zoysia japonica

An endophytic bacterial strain, Arthrobacter humicola YC6002, was isolated from a surface sterilized root of Korean turf grass (Zoysia japonica) collected from Jinju, Korea. This strain showed inhibitory effect on germination and shoot growth of radish. The inhibition of germination and shoot growth of radish seeds varied depending on the age of culture and the temperature at which it was incubated. The culture filtrate of 1/10- strength Tryptic Soy Broth medium, incubated for 48 hours at 30oC, showed the highest inhibitory effect on radish seed germination and shoot growth (92% inhibition as compared to control). The active compound with seed germination and shoot growth inhibition was purified and identified as 3-phenylpropionic acid. The purified compound had 53% and 93% inhibitory effect on seed germination and shoot growth of radish for 500 and 1000 ppm solutions, respectively.