Abstract
Fluorescent pseudomonads are among the most numerous bacteria found on plant surfaces and the activity of certain isolates can affect plant growth. In 1993, 108 fluorescent Pseudomonas isolates were collected on a single sampling occasion from the leaves of sugar beet plants grown at the Oxford University Field Station, Wytham. Isolates were obtained from 54 different leaves, from nine plants, and characterized using 10 allozyme and 23 biotype markers. Statistical analysis of the combined data revealed five biotypic traits which permitted a rational classification of the sample. Analysis of the allozyme data showed that the population was in overall linkage disequilibrium. Clonality was also observed after subdivision of allozyme data along spatial and habitat levels. However, two genetically defined subgroups were in linkage equilibrium which suggests the possibility of frequent large-scale recombination among certain isolates. A significant correlation between isolate distribution and habitat (leaf type and plot) indicates that the population has ecotypic structure.
