Growth of Streptococcus faecalis var. liquefaciens on plants

Abstract

The proliferation of Streptococcus faecalis var. liquefaciens on two varieties of beans, and on corn, rye, and cabbage was investigated. Comparisons were made with growth patterns on these same plants exhibited by S. lactis and Lactobacillus plantarum. The ability of each of the bacteria to multiply and to spread to new plant parts as they developed from seed was studied under several environmental conditions. Plants were grown aseptically in glass culture and in sterilized and non-sterilized soil in the greenhouse. Quantitative estimations of increase in bacterial numbers were made. S. faecalis established commensal growth on each of five plants, although selectivity was noted for some plant parts. The organism increased in numbers on the plants equally as well as did the control bacteria, both alone, and in competition with the control bacteria and the microflora of the soil.