The effect of nitrogen and carbon sources on growth of the biocontrol agent Pantoea agglomerans strain CPA-2

AIM: The effect of several nitrogen and carbon sources on the growth of Pantoea agglomerans (strain CPA-2) was studied for the first time. METHODS AND RESULTS: Synthetic nitrogen and carbon sources were tested to obtain a suitable medium. Synthetic yeast extract provided maximum growth and disaccharides such as sucrose, lactose and trehalose improved this growth significantly from 3.2 x 10(9) to 5.5 x 10(9) cfu ml-1. CONCLUSION: Pantoea agglomerans can be produced in a combination of nitrogen sources such as yeast extract with carbohydrates such as sucrose in shake flask and a laboratory fermenter (5 l). SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Results suggest good production of this biocontrol agent on a laboratory scale and the potential of scaling up the process.