Pink-Pigmented Facultative Methylotrophs

Commonly abbreviated to PPFMs, these bacteria are members of the genus Methylobacterium and are commonly found in soil and on plant surfaces. Research has suggested that PPFMs can benefit host plants in a variety of ways such as promoting germination, growth and yield of sugarcane, and accumulation of vitamin B in lettuce. Their pigmentation, which is frequently pink but may also be yellow or orange, is thought to provide protection from solar UV radiation which damages the DNA of bacteria at low doses because of their small cell size.

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The metabolism of PPFMs is unusual because, as their name suggests, they are able to utilize C1 compounds such as formaldehyde, methanol and methylamine. In dense and diverse communities like those found in the phyllosphere and rhizosphere, this enables them to utilize nutrients other bacteria cannot, enhancing their competitive ability.

See also

• Phyllosphere
• Rhizosphere

References

Corpe and Rheem 1989 Ecology of the methylotrophic bacteria on living leaf surfaces FEMS Microbiology Letters 62:243-250 [1]

Omer et al 2004 Plant colonization by pink-pigmented facultative methylotrophic bacteria (PPFMs) FEMS Microbiology Ecology 47:319-326 [2]

Madhaiyen et al 2005 Pink-pigmented facultative methylotrophic bacteria accelerate germination, growth and yield of sugarcane clone Co86032 (Saccharum officinarum L.) Biology and Fertility of Soils 41:350-358 [3]