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Photorhabdus Luminescens: Virulent Properties and Agricultural Applications

Received: 21 July 2015     Accepted: 1 August 2015     Published: 10 August 2015
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Abstract

Photorhabdus luminescens is a gram-negative, bioluminescent bacterium from the family Enterobacteriaceae which has been found in countries across the globe. It is part of a symbiotic relationship with, and resides in the gut of the entomopathogenic nematode, Heterorhabditis bacteriophora. Photorhabdus luminescens produces many virulence factors, toxin complexes and antimicrobial compounds which allow it to kill insect hosts while simultaneously protecting itself and its symbiotic partner from other bacteria. Due to its virulent properties and the ability to infect a wide range of insect hosts, the Photorhabdus luminescens-Heterorhabditis bacteriophora relationship is a promising candidate for agricultural use as a mass produced biological control agent. The use of Photorhabdus luminescens has been deemed safe towards humans, animals, non-target insects, plants, as well as the environment. The entomopathogenic nematode is also exempt from registration regulations in most countries. The significance of Photorhabdus luminescens is the potential for an insecticide that allows different species of insect pests to be effectively controlled by a single natural product rather than multiple chemical products. The purpose of this review is to provide readers with an overview of the safety of Photorhabdus luminescens to the community and environment, to inform readers of the virulence factors associated with the bacteria, and to outline the potential the product possesses as a mass produced biological control agent.

Published in American Journal of Agriculture and Forestry (Volume 3, Issue 5)
DOI 10.11648/j.ajaf.20150305.12
Page(s) 171-177
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2015. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Photorhabdus Luminescens, Heterorhabditis Bacteriophora, Symbiosis, Bioluminescence, Biocontrol Agent

References
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Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Elizabeth Gerdes, Devang Upadhyay, Sivanadane Mandjiny, Rebecca Bullard-Dillard, Meredith Storms, et al. (2015). Photorhabdus Luminescens: Virulent Properties and Agricultural Applications. American Journal of Agriculture and Forestry, 3(5), 171-177. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajaf.20150305.12

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    ACS Style

    Elizabeth Gerdes; Devang Upadhyay; Sivanadane Mandjiny; Rebecca Bullard-Dillard; Meredith Storms, et al. Photorhabdus Luminescens: Virulent Properties and Agricultural Applications. Am. J. Agric. For. 2015, 3(5), 171-177. doi: 10.11648/j.ajaf.20150305.12

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    AMA Style

    Elizabeth Gerdes, Devang Upadhyay, Sivanadane Mandjiny, Rebecca Bullard-Dillard, Meredith Storms, et al. Photorhabdus Luminescens: Virulent Properties and Agricultural Applications. Am J Agric For. 2015;3(5):171-177. doi: 10.11648/j.ajaf.20150305.12

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  • @article{10.11648/j.ajaf.20150305.12,
      author = {Elizabeth Gerdes and Devang Upadhyay and Sivanadane Mandjiny and Rebecca Bullard-Dillard and Meredith Storms and Michael Menefee and Leonard D. Holmes},
      title = {Photorhabdus Luminescens: Virulent Properties and Agricultural Applications},
      journal = {American Journal of Agriculture and Forestry},
      volume = {3},
      number = {5},
      pages = {171-177},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ajaf.20150305.12},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajaf.20150305.12},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajaf.20150305.12},
      abstract = {Photorhabdus luminescens is a gram-negative, bioluminescent bacterium from the family Enterobacteriaceae which has been found in countries across the globe. It is part of a symbiotic relationship with, and resides in the gut of the entomopathogenic nematode, Heterorhabditis bacteriophora. Photorhabdus luminescens produces many virulence factors, toxin complexes and antimicrobial compounds which allow it to kill insect hosts while simultaneously protecting itself and its symbiotic partner from other bacteria. Due to its virulent properties and the ability to infect a wide range of insect hosts, the Photorhabdus luminescens-Heterorhabditis bacteriophora relationship is a promising candidate for agricultural use as a mass produced biological control agent. The use of Photorhabdus luminescens has been deemed safe towards humans, animals, non-target insects, plants, as well as the environment. The entomopathogenic nematode is also exempt from registration regulations in most countries. The significance of Photorhabdus luminescens is the potential for an insecticide that allows different species of insect pests to be effectively controlled by a single natural product rather than multiple chemical products. The purpose of this review is to provide readers with an overview of the safety of Photorhabdus luminescens to the community and environment, to inform readers of the virulence factors associated with the bacteria, and to outline the potential the product possesses as a mass produced biological control agent.},
     year = {2015}
    }
    

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    T1  - Photorhabdus Luminescens: Virulent Properties and Agricultural Applications
    AU  - Elizabeth Gerdes
    AU  - Devang Upadhyay
    AU  - Sivanadane Mandjiny
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    JF  - American Journal of Agriculture and Forestry
    JO  - American Journal of Agriculture and Forestry
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    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2330-8591
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    AB  - Photorhabdus luminescens is a gram-negative, bioluminescent bacterium from the family Enterobacteriaceae which has been found in countries across the globe. It is part of a symbiotic relationship with, and resides in the gut of the entomopathogenic nematode, Heterorhabditis bacteriophora. Photorhabdus luminescens produces many virulence factors, toxin complexes and antimicrobial compounds which allow it to kill insect hosts while simultaneously protecting itself and its symbiotic partner from other bacteria. Due to its virulent properties and the ability to infect a wide range of insect hosts, the Photorhabdus luminescens-Heterorhabditis bacteriophora relationship is a promising candidate for agricultural use as a mass produced biological control agent. The use of Photorhabdus luminescens has been deemed safe towards humans, animals, non-target insects, plants, as well as the environment. The entomopathogenic nematode is also exempt from registration regulations in most countries. The significance of Photorhabdus luminescens is the potential for an insecticide that allows different species of insect pests to be effectively controlled by a single natural product rather than multiple chemical products. The purpose of this review is to provide readers with an overview of the safety of Photorhabdus luminescens to the community and environment, to inform readers of the virulence factors associated with the bacteria, and to outline the potential the product possesses as a mass produced biological control agent.
    VL  - 3
    IS  - 5
    ER  - 

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Author Information
  • Sartorius Stedim Biotechnology Laboratory, Biotechnology Research and Training Center, The University of North Carolina at Pembroke, Pembroke, USA

  • Sartorius Stedim Biotechnology Laboratory, Biotechnology Research and Training Center, The University of North Carolina at Pembroke, Pembroke, USA

  • Department of Chemistry and Physics, The University of North Carolina at Pembroke, Pembroke, USA

  • School of Graduate Studies and Research, The University of North Carolina at Pembroke, Pembroke, USA

  • College of Arts & Sciences, The University of North Carolina at Pembroke, Pembroke, USA

  • Thomas Family Center for Entrepreneurship, The University of North Carolina at Pembroke, Pembroke, USA

  • Sartorius Stedim Biotechnology Laboratory, Biotechnology Research and Training Center, The University of North Carolina at Pembroke, Pembroke, USA

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