Characterised crop-associated Pseudomonas strain libraries for biocontrol research
Curated libraries of over 2,000 phenotyped Pseudomonas isolates from crop rhizospheres, with genome sequences and plant colonisation data available. Includes potato, barley, wheat, and pea strain collections with proven pathogen biocontrol activity against bacterial, fungal, and oomycete plant pathogens.
Overview
This offering provides access to extensive libraries of characterised Pseudomonas bacterial strains isolated from crop plant rhizospheres. The collection includes over 2,000 phenotyped isolates drawn from potato, barley, wheat, and pea growing environments, with subsets fully genome-sequenced and tested for plant colonisation and pathogen biocontrol capabilities. These strains represent a valuable resource for agricultural biotechnology, microbial product development, and crop protection research.
The strains have been developed through a high-throughput discovery pipeline designed to identify bioactive bacteria from natural environments and determine their mechanisms of action. Multiple isolates have demonstrated strong biocontrol efficacy against bacterial, fungal, and oomycete plant pathogens in laboratory and controlled greenhouse trials, making them strong candidates for commercial microbial crop protection products.
Technical specifications
Available strain libraries:
- 500 potato isolates (phenotyped, 64 genome-sequenced)
- 700 barley isolates (phenotyped, 42 genome-sequenced)
- 700 wheat isolates (phenotyped)
- 500 pea isolates (phenotyping underway)
Characterisation data available:
- Phenotypic screening results for pathogen biocontrol activity
- Whole genome sequences for select subsets
- Plant colonisation data for potato and barley isolates and consortia
- Proven efficacy against bacterial, fungal, and oomycete plant pathogens
Discovery pipeline features:
- Systematic isolation from natural crop rhizosphere environments
- Phenotypic screening for biocontrol traits
- Genome sequencing and bioinformatic characterisation
- Greenhouse validation of plant colonisation and pathogen suppression
Technology readiness level
The strain libraries are at an advanced research and development stage. Individual isolates have been phenotyped, with significant subsets genome-sequenced and validated in controlled greenhouse trials for both plant colonisation and pathogen biocontrol. The research team continues to expand characterisation through ongoing bacterial genome sequencing, natural product identification, and additional biocontrol experiments. The programme is positioned for commercial translation, with plans to spin out a microbial biocontrol company, indicating readiness for partnership and licensing arrangements with industry partners.
About John Innes Centre
John Innes Centre is an independent UK research institute in Norwich focused on plant and microbial science and operating as a registered charity. Embedded within the Norwich Research Park, it offers industry access to co‑located laboratories, extensive glasshouses and controlled‑environment rooms, a dedicated field experimentation farm, and shared research platforms available to external users. A Knowledge Exchange and Commercialisation team brokers partnerships, while IP and licensing are channelled via Plant Bioscience Limited, jointly owned with The Sainsbury Laboratory and BBSRC. Research is strategically supported by UKRI‑BBSRC with additional competitive awards from BBSRC and NERC. The park ecosystem links partners to the University of East Anglia, a major NHS hospital, and allied institutes for streamlined collaboration.
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